Campaigners including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Eurythmics star Annie Lennox and environmentalist Greta Thunberg today urge Mirror readers to join a “wave of hope” in the run-up to next month's G7 summit.
Activists have written an open letter aimed at piling pressure on world leaders as they prepare to meet in Cornwall in a fortnight.
Demanding action on climate change, tackling inequality and rebuilding after the coronavirus pandemic, their letter says: “Everyone wants life to get back to normal.
“We believe we can do better than back to normal.
“We believe people in the UK can use the spirit of togetherness that has been helping us through the Covid crisis to now tackle Covid globally and also help crack the crises of climate, equality and nature.”
Other signatories include screenwriter Richard Curtis, comedian Lenny Henry and Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit.
Urging people to join the “WaveOfHope” and get involved by logging onto www.crackthecrises.org, they said: “The eyes of the world will be on Britain.
“This gives everyone a chance to tell Joe Biden, Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson – as well as the leaders of Canada, France, Japan and Italy – what kind of world we all want.
“A world where there are vaccines for all – because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.
“A world where we have stopped catastrophic climate change – and delivered a great green jobs revolution.
“A world where we share in a fairer society for everyone.”
Save the Children's Kirsty McNeill said: “It really is a question of now or never.
“We need to see urgent action to tackle the unprecedented crises facing our whole world – from the Covid pandemic and spiralling inequality to climate change and the growing threat to our natural world.
“Britain can and should be leading from the front – starting when we host world leaders at the G7 next month.
“It’s up to people across the country to send these leaders a message that they can’t afford to waste this opportunity to protect all our futures and kickstart a recovery that reduces the growing threats to people and planet.”
The letter in full
Dear Friends,
The past year has been hard for everyone across the world, not least in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Many people in the UK have lost loved ones; families have been kept apart, and thousands have been left fearing for the future of their jobs and their businesses.
Communities have kept going through acts of solidarity and kindness, big and small. From campaigning for free school meals, to volunteering for the vaccine rollout, to keeping an eye out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Each act of kindness has been an inspiration to others that has rippled through our communities, spreading a wave of hope across our nations and the world. These actions help prove that though “charity begins at home” - it doesn’t end there.
The UK could be the first major economy to be fully vaccinated. Already there are signs of our streets, towns and cities emerging into the light. Everyone wants life to get back to normal.
We believe we can do better than back to normal. We believe people in the UK can use the spirit of togetherness that has been helping us through the covid crisis to now tackle covid globally and also help crack the crises of climate, equality and nature.
On 11th June, the UK will host the world’s leading democratic nations at the G7 Summit in Cornwall. The eyes of the world will be on Britain. This gives everyone a chance to tell Joe Biden, Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson - as well as the leaders of Canada, France, Japan and Italy - what kind of world we all want.
A world where there are vaccines for all - because none of us are safe until all of us are safe. A world where we have stopped catastrophic climate change - and delivered a great green jobs revolution. A world where we share in a fairer society for everyone.
From Belfast to Brighton, and Cardiff to Clydebank, over 70 of the UK’s charities and campaign groups representing 12 million British citizens are coming together as the Crack the Crises coalition. We are asking you all to join people across the country at CracktheCrises.org and deliver a positive wave of hope that the G7, gathered by the sea in Cornwall, will not be able to ignore.
We are asking you to be part of this special moment, raise your hand and raise your voice. Help crack the crises by joining the #WaveOfHope with us.
Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
Annie Lennox, OBE
Lenny Henry
Richard Curtis
Sir Tim Smit
Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover
Greta Thunberg
