Over one hundred experts from across the country came together yesterday in the UK’s largest ever climate protest by scientists to demand MPs say no to new oil and gas.
This July the government approved the licensing of 100 new oil and gas fields, as Rishi Sunak pledged he would “max out” the UK’s oil and gas reserves in a move blasted catastrophic by experts.
Now climate change experts have left their labs to take to the streets of Westminster to tell the Prime Minister and MPs that the plans are just not feasible, and that they must listen to the science.
Campaigner and scientist Emma Smart told Left Foot Forward why scientists were taking action, many for the first time.
…
“The government isn’t acting on the science- the truth- and the media aren’t reporting it, consequently the public are not aware of the scale or urgency of what we are currently facing”, said Smart.
“But scientists are acutely aware, even if their discipline isn’t directly climate science. That’s why many are moving from publication to public action, for they feel it is now their duty in a climate crisis to not just write science, but to shout it from the streets.
“Historically, non-violent direct action has delivered the necessary pressure on these ‘pillars of power’ and now scientists are leaving their labs and taking to the streets to drive the change we so desperately need.”
She added: “Watch this space – scientists are refusing to be bystanders anymore.”
…