A CLIMATE action group will take to the streets of Salisbury this week calling for grant-based climate finance as part of Make Polluters Pay Action Day.
Campaigners from Christian Aid, Global Justice Now and Extinction Rebellion will unite at the Cheese Market in the city centre for a demonstration starting at 10am on Saturday, September 23.
A peaceful demonstration is planned with campaigners engaging with the public and seeking signatures for a petition to the government to show international leadership on climate justice.
Read more: People speak out about the new mural on Fisherton Street
Christian Aid supporter Clare Tawney says: “Right now, those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are paying the harshest price for its impact with the loss of lives, livelihoods, and culture – things which can never be replaced – as well as damage to homes, roads, and schools, which takes vital resources to repair.
“How will Malawi recover from Cyclone Freddie? Meanwhile, the polluters who have caused the crisis generate massive profits. It’s time to make polluters pay.”
AT COP27, (United Nations Climate Conference) the Loss and Damage Fund was the result of years of pressure from the climate-vulnerable countries with the aim of providing assistance to the nations which are most vulnerable.
In 2022 alone, the combined profits of five of the world’s biggest oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell and Total Energies was almost $200 billion.
Read more: Pumping station needed in order to make new homes financially viable
Global Justice Now and Extinction Rebellion supporter Graham Wise says: “Rising global temperatures, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, are driving the climate crisis, leading to more frequent and severe climate disasters, the evidence of which is all around us.
“Meanwhile those responsible, like fossil fuel corporations, continue to make gigantic profits. Governments have agreed to create an international Loss and Damage Fund - but, right now, the fund is empty. Make Polluters Pay Action Day is about challenging the UK Government to do something about this.”
The demonstration is part of a coordinated action to push the government to contribute its fair share to the fund, proposing money is raised through the taxation of the biggest polluters.
More information about the campaign can be found on the Global Justice Now website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here