Local climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Bangor are joining others across Wales and the UK over the next four days. This comes ahead of larger mass demonstrations planned for the following two weeks in Cardiff, Bristol, London and Manchester.

The focus of the demonstrations will be calling on the UK Parliament to pass the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill: a proposed piece of legislation, that would transition the UK to a zero-carbon economy in a way that creates jobs, protects the vulnerable and makes communities more resilient.

Actions will emphasise the fact that we are running out of time, with the UN IPCC estimating we must radically change course before 2030 if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Later today there will be coordinated banner drops along the A55 and XR Youth will be at the Menai Bridge at 3pm highlighting the threat to their future.

All actions will be peaceful and compliant with COVID regulations and no local road blocks are expected. Addressing concerns about protests in the time of the pandemic, one local organiser said: “All local and national actions have been planned to ensure strict adherence to COVID regulations and ensure safety for members of the public and demonstrators alike. Our priority is protecting life, whether from the climate crisis or COVID.

“While taking action before the pandemic is over presents logistical challenges, Governments are making decisions now that could determine whether we have a safe future or tip over into an inhospitable world in my lifetime. We can’t risk more bailouts of the fossil fuel industries, maintaining our current dangerous trajectory, when we have the chance to change course”.

Meanwhile Doctors for XR have delivered 1370 Welsh health warning stickers to petrol stations across the country. Local doctor Tom Downs told us why “As doctors it’s our duty to warn the public of the serious threat to human health of climate change and air pollution. In the UK one person dies prematurely every 15 minutes. This is not about blaming individuals, but creating awareness that we need to rapidly move to healthier alternatives to fossil fuels that can also protect the well-being of our future generations here in Wales and globally.”

On Sunday, there will be a socially distanced parade at Caernarfon Castle including the iconic Red Rebel Brigade. The parade, which starts at 3.30pm, will be accompanied by children’s shoes on the castle steps to highlight that today’s children will be dealing with the dire consequences of climate breakdown.

Counsellor Francis Taylor, who is planning to join the parade said: “I’m going because I want my children and grandchildren to live in a safe world. Scientists have warned of drought, famine and flooding that we can expect if nothing changes, but the response to the pandemic proved that rapid radical change is possible when we face an existential threat to human life. We now have a small window of opportunity to use the COVID recovery to move away from polluting technologies and invest in things like renewable energy, regenerative farming and build back greener.“

Activists at all demonstrations, local and national, will be adhering to strict COVID19 safety guidelines including maintaining 2 metre distance, wearing facemasks and using hand sanitiser.

Photos: Denise Baker