Cancun action: give Chris Huhne a sweet send-off to climate change talks

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Over the last couple of weeks, we at Oxfam South West have been taking part in a little experiment - discovering how we are going to give our esteemed energy secretary Chris Huhne the perfect send-off for the climate change talks beginning in Cancun on Monday. Mr Huhne will be off to the ancient home of cocoa - Mexico, that is - to attend the international climate change negotiations (COP16) and we need him to help secure a Climate Fund that helps poor people cope with the impacts of climate change. There's been a lively debate on our new organising tool ?The Enabler‘ and we've had a conference call with people from around the UK who discussed ideas and decided on a novel send off. Oxfam South West stalwarts Roger James and Heather Smith came up with the two most popular ideas nationwide (well, we're an inspired group here!). Roger put forward the idea of sending Chris Huhne chocolate money - because Mexico is the home of chocolate and chocolate money represents the finance required to combat climate change… get it? If Chris Huhne fails, we fancy the idea of sending him a chocolate teapot! Heather, meanwhile, wanted us to organise lots of Mexican waves in public places around the UK which we could film and put together one long, country-wide video Mexican video wave. The winner? Roger and the chocolate factor! Why are we putting pressure on Chris Huhne and asking you to join in? There are some great, achievable ways to deliver the money that poorer countries need but he isn't backing any of them yet. He needs to make sure the UK is still leading in finding solutions and putting women at the heart of them. He needs reminding that a fair international tax on shipping and aviation emissions would be a great start and that a Robin Hood Tax on the banks would also help. It would assist those suffering the effects of climate change in paying for the steps that will help them cope. The banks really hurt poorer countries with their damaging decisions and they should be helping out So, remind Chris that the UK is watching and send him a note with some chocolate money. You can buy it from Oxfam's Online Shop, at an Oxfam shop or at your favourite sweet shop. Because time is short, you can send the money straight from the Oxfam's Online Shop to his office (by choosing a different delivery address) and follow it up with an email to PS.Chris.Huhne@decc.gsi.gov.uk telling him why you've sent it. If you can't get to the shops, send him an email with the picture from this blog. Send it to: Rt Hon Chris Huhne MPSecretary of State for Energy and Climate Change3 Whitehall PlaceLondon SW1A 2AW Include this message or use your own if you'd prefer. Dear Chris Huhne, As you prepare for your trip to Mexico, the home of cocoa, I am sending you some chocolate coins to remind you about the key issues we think you should be addressing at the conference. I would like you to use Cancun as an opportunity to push for a fair UN climate fund that helps support the world's poorest people to cope with climate change. You may not be able to use this money to pay into the fund, but there are innovative ways the money can be raised; a Robin Hood Tax on the banks and fair international taxes on aviation and shipping emissions. Enjoy the chocolate, but please take a proactive role at Cancun to ensure the UN climate fund delivers what the poorest need. Thank you,[YOUR NAME AND POSTCODE] Good luck - let's flood his offices with piles of gold and with every bite he'll be reminded of what we expect of him. During the Cancun climate talks we will be running a series of really easy actions to push for progress where it's most needed. The more people involved the more chance of success. To take part, submit your email below and we'll let you know when you can help. Actions will only take a few moments and you'll be influencing world leaders in real time. Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner More from the Oxfam Press Office at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/news