The Big AskThe Big AskHistory of the Campaign that enforced a climate change lawHistory of the Campaign that enforced a climate change law

2525thth May 2005 May 2005

The Big Ask campaign is launched and a petition is signed The Big Ask campaign is launched and a petition is signed that asks for a law that will ‘cut annual carbon emissions by that asks for a law that will ‘cut annual carbon emissions by 3%’.3%’.

Thom Yorke also joins campaign and he gains a lot of publicity Thom Yorke also joins campaign and he gains a lot of publicity in joining the Big Ask campaign. The use of a famous celebrity in joining the Big Ask campaign. The use of a famous celebrity is sometimes essential to help make a campaign more widely is sometimes essential to help make a campaign more widely known and therefore successful. Because of his major [art known and therefore successful. Because of his major [art with with RadioheadRadiohead the Big Ask campaign would be considered, the Big Ask campaign would be considered, no like other campaigns which have just been ignored. no like other campaigns which have just been ignored.

Big Ask generates coverage on:Big Ask generates coverage on:

1.1. 13 regional to international TV stations13 regional to international TV stations

2.2. 40 websites40 websites

3.3. 69 newspapers and magazines69 newspapers and magazines

11stst May 2006 May 2006

There is a big push forward in the campaign as There is a big push forward in the campaign as Thom Yorke and his band do a gig in London on Thom Yorke and his band do a gig in London on behalf of the Big Ask. This gig is a great way of behalf of the Big Ask. This gig is a great way of advertising because it is sure to gain a lot of advertising because it is sure to gain a lot of support and many people will start to listen.support and many people will start to listen.

David Cameron attends the concert. Also another David Cameron attends the concert. Also another well known person in support of the campaign and well known person in support of the campaign and it gives it even more publicity.it gives it even more publicity.

11stst September 2006 September 2006

David Cameron gives the campaign support David Cameron gives the campaign support and requests for a Climate Change bill to be and requests for a Climate Change bill to be introduced on the Queen’s Speech.introduced on the Queen’s Speech.

1212thth October 2006 October 2006

There are hints of a new climate law. There are hints of a new climate law.

By then 412 out of 646 MPs have signed a By then 412 out of 646 MPs have signed a parliamentary petition parliamentary petition

It is the fourth petition to have been signed It is the fourth petition to have been signed by more than 400 MPs. by more than 400 MPs.

1313thth March 2007 March 2007

The UK Government publishes its Draft The UK Government publishes its Draft Climate Change Bill.Climate Change Bill.

Friends of the Earth welcomes the draft but Friends of the Earth welcomes the draft but calls for the Bill to be strengthened so it can calls for the Bill to be strengthened so it can be firmly agreed on. be firmly agreed on.

What is a Bill?What is a Bill?

A Bill refers to a proposed law as it is A Bill refers to a proposed law as it is considered by the legislature. A Bill does not considered by the legislature. A Bill does not become law until it is passed by the become law until it is passed by the Government and, in most cases, approved by Government and, in most cases, approved by the executive/leader. In the UK, it is the the executive/leader. In the UK, it is the Queen. Queen.

44thth July 2007 July 2007

A new way of advertising is launched. The A new way of advertising is launched. The ‘Big Ask March’ is launched so people can ‘Big Ask March’ is launched so people can ‘lobby’ their message to their MP by video. ‘lobby’ their message to their MP by video.

The march is supported by Jude Law, James The march is supported by Jude Law, James Blunt and Johnny Borell from Razorlight. Blunt and Johnny Borell from Razorlight. Again more support. Again more support.

What is Lobbying?What is Lobbying?

Lobbying is the practice of influencing Lobbying is the practice of influencing decisions made by the government (in decisions made by the government (in groups or individually). It includes all groups or individually). It includes all attempts to influence lawmakers and attempts to influence lawmakers and officials, whether by other constituents, officials, whether by other constituents, or organized groups. A lobbyist is a or organized groups. A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest or a on behalf of a special interest or a member of a lobby. Governments often member of a lobby. Governments often define and regulate organized group define and regulate organized group lobbying.lobbying.

2727thth February 2008 February 2008

The Big Ask goes to Europe in order to have a The Big Ask goes to Europe in order to have a wider range of influence and therefore have a wider range of influence and therefore have a greater impact on the world. At that point greater impact on the world. At that point they wanted to cut down on carbon emissions they wanted to cut down on carbon emissions across more than just the UK.across more than just the UK.

They hoped for their planned cuts to lead to They hoped for their planned cuts to lead to at least a 40% reduction of emissions within at least a 40% reduction of emissions within Europe by 2020.Europe by 2020.

2727thth May 2008 May 2008

Razorlight play a gig in front of a jet at the Science Razorlight play a gig in front of a jet at the Science Museum in support of the Big Ask campaign. This is Museum in support of the Big Ask campaign. This is to highlight aviation and shipping.to highlight aviation and shipping.

A cross party group of MPs form a band called the A cross party group of MPs form a band called the Aviators and support Razorlight. Aviators and support Razorlight.

2323rdrd September 2008 September 2008

On this day Gordon Brown asked for 80% On this day Gordon Brown asked for 80% target report in order to ensure that the target report in order to ensure that the campaign will really make such as difference. campaign will really make such as difference.

He also says that he wants the carbon He also says that he wants the carbon emission report by October 2008 from the emission report by October 2008 from the Committee on Climate Change. This report Committee on Climate Change. This report will say if the target really should be 80%.will say if the target really should be 80%.

77thth October 2008 October 2008

Gordon Brown gets the report that says the Gordon Brown gets the report that says the results: the Committee on Climate Change says results: the Committee on Climate Change says there should be an 80% cut in carbon emissions there should be an 80% cut in carbon emissions by the year 2050. by the year 2050.

This includes international aeroplanes and This includes international aeroplanes and shipping. These two factors are contributing to shipping. These two factors are contributing to Global Warming so the Committee believes that if Global Warming so the Committee believes that if they work on this then the cut really should be they work on this then the cut really should be about 80% by 2050. about 80% by 2050.

On the 16On the 16thth October, based on the Committee’s October, based on the Committee’s advice, the target is increased from 60% to 80%. advice, the target is increased from 60% to 80%.

28 October 200828 October 2008

MPs vote in favour of a Climate Change Law MPs vote in favour of a Climate Change Law that will cut greenhouse gases by 80% by that will cut greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050 and includes all UK emissions.2050 and includes all UK emissions.

Big victory for the campaign.Big victory for the campaign.