A CREDITON couple, representing a Devon environmental group, have returned from their visit to the Copenhagen climate talks.

Laura and Gerald Conyngham set off for the vital climate change talks in Copenhagen on Tuesday, December 8, part of the journey by bicycle.

They took with them 322 carbon-cutting pledges from Crediton and watched as Desmond Tutu received 512,894 pledges from around the world, including those from Crediton.

Laura and Gerald told the Courier: "Our cycle ride was emotional, exciting and utterly amazing, thankfully with no rain or snow.

"As a group of 28, we ranged in age from 15 to 72 and were united in our passion for climate justice.

"We took part in an international rally and a moving ecumenical service."

They called upon international politicians to take decisive action to help halt devastating climate change.

Gerald is chairman of Crediton Climate Action, which recently held a major event in the Town Square to raise awareness of the issue and Laura is also an active member of the group.

Representatives from 193 countries were at the climate talks in Copenhagen, from December 7 – 18.

The conference was widely seen as the last chance to forge international agreements to help reduce global warming.

Climate scientists from across the world say it is already too late to prevent some of the effects of man-made climate change, but that the effects will be even worse if man does not take radical action now.

There are expected to be more extreme weather events, large sea levels rises, water shortages and other consequences which will affect billions around the world.

Before he went, Gerald said he was excited to take part in this crucial conference.

However, the Copenhagen Summit failed to deliver a long-term agreement.

What was agreed between the 193 parties and called the Copenhagen agreement was to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

However, this document is not binding and it does not establish a deadline for a new treaty, while the Kyoto protocol will expire in 2012.

The only two progresses are the recognition of a two degrees Celsius limit to the rise of the global temperature, as well as a solidarity effort towards developing countries through a 30 billion financial aid until 2012, and 100 billion per year in the following years.

The messages Gerald and Laura took were from Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton Parish Church, Queen Elizabeth Community College, Landscore Primary School, Hayward's Primary School, Cheriton Fitzpaine Cricket Club, Sandford Beavers, Sandford Congregational Church, Sandford Brownies, Crediton Walk and Talk, The Green House, Crediton, Beech Hill Community, Morchard Bishop, Crediton Pilates and RSPB (Exeter branch).

Many of these organisations gave examples of things they were doing to reduce their carbon footprint, such as installing solar panels, cutting down on car use, planting native trees on Dartmoor, using more hand tools, and many others.

In addition, more than 300 individuals signed a pledge to reduce their carbon footprint, and gave commitments, such as buying less, driving less and cycling more, reducing heating, growing more food and raising awareness through the arts.

For video clips of Gerald and Laura's bike ride please visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk">www.christianaid.org.uk .

Look out for the banner on Laura's back, which reads: CYCLING STANSTED UK KOBENHAVN.

If you have donated already to Christian Aid, Gerald and Laura say thank you so much. If you can still help, please donate through http://www.justgiving.com/laura-gerald">www.justgiving.com/laura-gerald .

Despite the disappointment that no agreement was reached, Laura told the Courier: "The good news is the enormous, overwhelming commitment from thousands in Copenhagen. This is what we have to act with."

Gerald and Laura send open-hearted hopes to all for "a Happy Christmas and for Climate Justice Now."

alan-quick@crediton

couriernewspaper.co.uk