More than 5,000 people from across the UK travelled to London’s Westminster to lobby their MPs and demand urgent action on the climate crisis.
The mass demonstration included parents and pensioners, doctors, teachers, farmers and youth campaigners, who arranged to lobby at least 500 MPs, about 80 per cent of the total number of parliamentarians.
Before the event, a giant image was projected on to the white cliffs of Dover, stating ‘89% of people want climate action’ along with calls for action.
The mosaic image, featuring a green heart, was created from 1,500 photos shared by people to illustrate their views on the climate crisis.
The mass lobby and image were organised by the Climate Coalition, a network of more than 120 UK organisations representing more than 22 million people, including the National Trust, the RSPB and the Women’s Institute.
MPs were asked to secure a green future to cut energy bills and create jobs, restore nature and help the communities hit hardest by climate change, both in the UK and around the world.
Helen Meech, Executive Director of the Climate Coalition, said: ‘Right across the UK, people are stepping up to protect the things they love, from clean air and green spaces to secure jobs and warm homes. This is one of the biggest democratic moments for climate and nature in years and a chance to show that acting for our future is not just popular, it’s essential.’
Celebrity Lobby Supporters
The protests supporters included the broadcaster Konnie Huq, actors Stephen Fry, Amanda Abbington, Brian Cox, David Harewood and Bonnie Wright and the writers Ben Okri and Mark Haddon.
Okri contributed a photo to the Dover image of a favourite tree, felled by a storm, adding: ‘The destruction of forests across the world is a silent modern tragedy.’
He added that his family ‘adopted this tree as a family friend. We were saddened when it died. So we keep alive its spirit’.
Actor, writer and presenter Fry remembered experiencing the ocean close to his home and emphasised the need to protect marine environments.
He said: ‘The North Norfolk coast is wild and wonderful. A place to walk and commune with oneself and with terns, seals, and all kinds of wildlife under vast skies. It clears one’s mind, but it fills one’s mind with thoughts too. You cannot but consider the contingent, adversarial relationship the sea has always had with the land in these parts, and now increasingly elsewhere around the world too.
‘Climate change, as ever, ups the ante and the stakes get higher and higher. On walks along these stunning coastlines, one’s eyes look out far to sea and ponder too, what is going on inside the oceans and our part in its degradation’
Stephen Fry, Actor
‘Climate change, as ever, ups the ante and the stakes get higher and higher. On walks along these stunning coastlines, one’s eyes look out far to sea and ponder too, what is going on inside the oceans and our part in its degradation.
‘Where sky, sea and land meet in the epic way that they do here in Norfolk, well, it’s a privilege to be amongst it, but it’s impossible not to contemplate the approach of dangers of our own making.’
Broadcaster, writer and adventurer, Ben Fogle shared how, in spite of the challenges facing creatures large and small, we can take inspiration from the collective action that’s taking place in communities right across the UK:
‘As I travel the world, I see more and more how climate change is affecting lives and causing nature loss. Some communities are being hit first and hardest – and the same is true for wildlife. Like our treasured hedgehogs, who are struggling to cope with warmer winters and increased droughts.
‘But we have good reason to be hopeful. Right across the UK, people are stepping up – protecting local habitats, restoring woodlands and rivers, and building fairer, greener futures. That’s why I’m proud to be part of the People’s Picture, a powerful visual symbol of the breadth and diversity of support for climate action – and our collective call for bold leadership from our politicians.’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sent a message to those lobbying their MPs, saying: ‘The issues you are discussing today are central to my commitment to tackling climate change, both here in the UK and around the world.’
He said the government was spending billions to make homes more energy efficient and funding climate adaptation for millions of people around the world.
‘Together, these actions reflect our unwavering commitment to climate action, energy security and social justice,’ the PM said.
