40 cyclists braved the rain, cycling round Sheffield city centre, some in wetsuits, some as clowns, and with banners and a wind turbine drawing attention to the urgency of addressing climate change. The cyclecade was organised by Sheffield Campaign Against Climate Change, launching a petition calling on Sheffield City Council to implement a Carbon Reduction Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the whole city by at least 6% a year.

Speakers, who included Green Councillor Bernard Little, Maxine Bowler from Respect, Liddy Goyder from Friends of the Earth and Richard Spooner from Christian Aid, all emphasised the urgency of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to stop the worst effects of climate change both for Sheffield and the world. They called for practical measures such as integrated and affordable public transport and home insulation. Many passers-by signed the petition which will be presented to Sheffield City Council in October.

Sheffield Campaign against Climate Change will have stalls at many community festivals this summer where people can find out more and sign the petition - or see the e-petition at  http://www.sheffield.campaigncc.org/ - coming soon!