There are three main parts to include in your email. Firstly, write a brief personal introduction: who you are and why you care about climate change. Secondly, you need a clear but short outline of the specific concerns you want them to know about. Thirdly, and most importantly, you need to tell your MP what you want them to do about your concerns. Phrase these "asks" as questions for the MP to respond to.

If you need some help getting started with your email, here are some template examples. Please don’t copy them exactly - personalise your email and tailor it to the MP you are writing to. 

In addition, when writing to a Minister or Shadow Minister, start by saying that you’re writing to them in their role as Minister for xxxx, otherwise they will probably just forward your email to your local MP.

PS: Don't agonise – remember it's better to send than not to send! And please log your emails on the contact tracker so we can track our impact.

Climate-drive extinction

Climate change is driving species extinction by altering habitats faster than many species can adapt. It also affects species abundance, genetic composition, behaviour, and survival. An example is the Bramble Cay melomys (Melomys rubica, pictured), a small rodent whose only habitat was a tiny island in the Torres Strait, was declared extinct in 2015. It is considered the first mammal in the world to go extinct due to climate change, after rising sea levels repeatedly flooded its habitat and destroyed the vegetation it relied on for food and shelter. More than 10,000 species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are affected by climate change, which increases their likelihood of extinction.