LAST week MPs from across the political spectrum packed out a room in the House of Commons to listen to 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, the schoolgirl whose solitary climate strike has now evolved into a global movement.

It was a historic moment and listening to her speak such powerful truth to power was a reminder of how much difference each one of us has the potential to make.

Her visit also took in cross-party talks with leaders of the opposition parties, though the Prime Minister declined her invitation to attend.

These talks got agreement for ongoing cross-party round tables with the youth climate strikers. Westminster party leaders also agreed, as a minimum, to accept and meet the imminent recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change on net zero as part of the UK’s efforts to keep global warming to 1.5C.

There will also be co-operation on a common framework to ensure party policy and manifestos are in line with the commitments we have made to meet the targets in the Paris Agreement.

While I hosted Greta’s visit to the UK, climate change is bigger than any one political party and securing these cross-party commitments is a significant step forward.

Greta and the Brighton and Hove’s school climate strikers have made this progress possible through their courage and honesty.

Young people across the world will bear the brunt of the climate crisis and have been let down by our collective failure to respond to the climate science.

No wonder they are taking to the streets, using non-violent protest to make their voices heard – and making it clear that together we need to deliver what the science demands, not what we consider might be politically possible.

Tackling the climate and ecological crises requires more than words though.

But urgently bringing down emissions is just the start – we must utterly transform our economies too, including changing the way we measure success away from chasing ever increasing growth and towards increasing our own and our planet’s wellbeing instead.

The world is warming at an alarming rate. Wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, and flood are becoming more common.

We are living in a climate emergency. Ecological breakdown is not some distant problem – it is now our ever-present and collective challenge.

Alongside that threat, our politics is in deep turmoil, with very few signs of a positive solution on the horizon.

In this moment, I believe we should respond to climate emergency through addressing the democratic crisis.

Environmentalism is not something that should be done to the people – it’s something that should be done with people, and ultimately give citizens fresh agency and hope.

If we are to confront the climate crisis while also holding on to our democratic and social values, perhaps even to heal the wounds of Brexit, Parliament must urgently establish a citizens’ assembly to draw up a plan of action that has the public’s consent.

And young people need to be front and centre of this process. Over the coming months, the UK youth climate strikers will continue to expand and build their movement.

It is essential the views of young people are incorporated into the decision-making of politicians and that political parties and politicians have the chance to engage directly with young people across the UK.

Improving nature education in our schools would help nurture a love for and understanding of the natural world – something that’s vital if we want future generations to protect it.

That’s why I am working with others to develop a natural history GCSE. And giving 16-year-olds the vote would also help ensure their voices are no longer easily ignored.

Democracy isn’t something that only happens at a general election, it is the hundreds of actions we all take to speak up for our values and our beliefs.

In their call for a national citizens’ assembly, Extinction Rebellion, which Greta lent her support to, are calling for what many people now want: a greater say on the issues that affect all of our lives.

David Attenborough recently made clear just how high the stakes are when he said that climate change “creates the very real possibility of the collapse of civilisation”.

We know we need a far more urgent response so I stand in solidarity with all those taking non-violent action to protect our precious planet and home.

Caroline Lucas is the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion