Make Polluters Pay Action Day was powerful. You were powerful.
From Sterling to Salisbury and Totnes to Thetford you turned out in your droves to make polluters pay for climate related loss and damage.
Here, take a look for yourself.
What a lovely bunch you are!
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It’s more important than ever that we speak out and show up for climate justice. It wasn’t lost on us that only a few days before the big day the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced the rowing back of Britain’s net zero commitments, watering down the country's climate pledges. Our sisters and brothers around the world have been calling for bold climate action from polluting nations like the UK for decades.
Jennifer Larbie, Christian Aid’s Head of UK Advocacy and Campaigns said:
By undermining our climate commitments Sunak is showing woeful disregard for the world’s most vulnerable people. It’s utterly reckless.
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These announcements will not deter us from campaigning on issues of climate justice. Quite the opposite, in fact.
But back to the day itself!
So many of you took part! It was wonderful to see activities happening simultaneously across the UK. We witnessed protests, pilgrimages, placard making and political lobbies.
In Salisbury, Clare Tawney took part in a placard making session followed by a demonstration in the town centre. She told the local paper:
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.
You can read more about that here.
Meanwhile in Nottingham, Helena Tricy took part in a stunt calling for banks to end fossil fuel financing. She and others protested by acting like they were dying, collapsing to the floor in the city centre. She told the local press:
I’m here because I’m disappointed with the government and with the PM in particular for watering down the climate pledges. The banks need to start listening to their customers and seriously considering the ethics of their investments. I’m also here because I’m scared of my children’s future as they’re only 13 and 15.
You can read more about that protest here.
And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. Genuinely, thank you for all of your campaigning.
We’re blessed to be part of a dedicated and driven movement of people.
So, what’s next?
In November, along with the Make Polluters Pay coalition, we’re hosting a Make Polluters Pay parliamentary event to keep the momentum going – there’s still time to invite your MP along. We’ll be sharing all of your activities as examples of how many people care about making polluters pay.
You can still take action today, by taking a picture of yourself with a sign that reads ‘Make Polluters Pay’. Make sure you use the #MakePollutersPay hashtag so we can add it to our wall.
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Keep an eye out for more ways to take action for climate justice as we head towards the COP28 Climate talks. Sign up for our campaigns mailing list now.