Local XR activists join London ‘Code Red’ protest

Marlborough’s Jo Ripley and other supporters of Devizes and Marlborough Extinction Rebellion (XR) joined the national XR group in London where a multitude of actions have been taking place to demand an end to new investment in fossil fuels.

Referred to as ‘Code Red for Humanity’ by the UN Secretary General in the recent IPCC (UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report, which stated the urgency for action to avoid a catastrophe. Whilst plenty is being discussed, talked about and addressed – not much progress is actually being made.

With an increasing number of extreme weather events, the study warns of a key temperature limit being broken in just over a decade unless there are immediate deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions that would help stabilise rising temperatures.

Jo Ripley joined the London events for the first week of XR’s “Demand the Impossible” Rebellion. She told marlborough.news that “despite this climate SOS report, our Government is considering licensing a new oil field in the North Sea, has not ruled out a new coal mine in Cumbria or airport expansion plans across the country and has a £27 billion road building plan. This is madness!”

Earlier this summer the International Energy Agency stated that the exploitation and development of new oil and gas fields must stop this year and there can be no new coal power stations built if the world is to stay within safe limits of global heating.

Caroline Smith, one of those who joined XR in London said “Our Prime Minister will be hosting the major climate conference, COP26, in November and must show climate leadership if we are to have any optimism about the changes needed to help secure a safer future. I’ve moved my money to a bank that doesn’t fund fossil fuel investment, but individual actions aren’t enough – our Government urgently needs to act now!”

Jane Bradshaw, who also joined the rebellion in London said “As a mum with two school-age children, I am really worried about how bad things could get in their lifetime if our leaders don’t act now to avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown. Our Government needs to treat this like the crisis it is and stop all new fossil fuel investment immediately.”