SURFERS JOIN CLIMATE PROTEST IN LONDON
Global Warming is not cool!
Campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) spent the 3rd December in
London as part of an International Day of Climate Protest.
Immersing ourselves in green wetsuits and face paint to symbolise the
environment and carrying boards as placards we marched across London with an
estimated 10,000 people. Our board placards reinforced our calls to see CO2
emissions reduced and a need to embrace cleaner, safer energy options such
as marine renewables.
The International Day of Climate Protest, took place midway through the UN
“MOP” Climate Talks in Montreal, and saw demonstrations in 30 cities – from
London to Sydney. The demonstrations demanded that the USA and Australia
ratify the Kyoto Protocol immediately and that the entire world community
move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty that
will be both equitable and effective in stabilising ‘greenhouse’ gases and
preventing dangerous climate change.
The London Climate March stopped briefly at 10 Downing Street where ‘march
organisers’ Campaign Against Climate Change handed in a letter demanding
that the British government reaffirm its commitment to a climate treaty with
legally binding targets, before finishing at the US embassy where the
marchers listened to speakers that included Michael Meacher MP (Environment
Minister 1997-2003), George Monbiot (writer and environmentalist), Norman
Baker MP (Lib-Dem Shadow Environment Minister) and Caroline Lucas MEP (Green
Party).
Richard Hardy SAS Campaigns Director and marcher in London said: “A rapidly
changing climate has the potential to cause widespread pollution in the
oceans, rivers and lakes we use for recreation. In particular we are fearful
of the extra pressure placed on sewage treatment plants from extreme weather
events that can lead to pollution of bathing waters.
Seeing so many people across the world marching to move this issue to the
top of the political agenda was truly inspiring and SAS were delighted to
offer its support of the action”.
