A Local Extinction Rebellion group and residents are calling on Gwynedd Council to take decisive action to reduce carbon emissions.
Bangor Extinction Rebellion (XR) Group will host a Day of Action for the Climate on Saturday 16th October, 2-4pm, on the Green by Storiel (opposite Pontio) in Bangor.
Helen Mcgreary, 46, dance teacher of Bangor said: “In 2019 Gwynedd Council declared a Climate Emergency, which was great progress towards tackling our carbon impact. But this needs to be backed up by action.
“We need to stop granting permissions for Gas Power Plants in the county, and for the Council to take its pension funds money out of fossil fuel companies.”
“Gwynedd Pension Fund, which invests pensions for thousands employees in the county and town councils, Snowdonia National Park, and Grwp Llandrillo Menai amongst others to the sum of £51million, invests in fossil fuels, unbeknown to its employees.”
The impact of climate change and extreme weather events are already being felt within the county. 23,244 Gwynedd residents live within a flood risk area. Over the next century, sea levels are expected to rise by 1.1m, and flooding already costs the Welsh economy c. £200 million per year.
The event is marking the lead up to COP26, when the UK will host world leaders at the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow in November.
In Bangor on Saturday 16th October there will be an information stall, a Portable Climate Science Museum, and a petition calling on Gwynedd Council to divest its pensions from fossil fuels and to encourage renewable energy plants.
In the last 2 years Gwynedd has granted planning permission for gas fuelled power plants in Caernarfon, Bangor, and one is waiting decision in Porthmadog. These emit high levels of carbon, when renewable energy is now a better option.
Alison Shaw, retired science teacher, Bethesda said, “The evidence that we’re heading towards climate chaos is irrefutable.
“Gwynedd Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, but it carries on with business as usual, continuing to support and invest in fossil fuels, when renewables could be being encouraged. Battery storage for wind, solar and hydro energy is really good these days, and that’s the future. Its time for Gwynedd to get up to speed, and fulfil on its promises: Divest from fossil fuels and stop building Gas Power Plants.”
Jemima Beath, a student from Menai Bridge, said “The Covid crisis shows that we can act fast in an emergency – it’s now time to treat the climate crisis like the emergency it is! When Climate Catastrophe hits us it will be too late. Flooding in Gwynedd has always happened, but the frequency and severity is no doubt linked to Climate Change.”
The XR Bangor group is a group of local people who are raising awareness of the urgency of climate change and holding our representatives to account to take the actions needed to reduce emissions in line with the 1.5 degrees Paris Agreement.
