Edinburgh activists demand COP27 action as emissions set for record highs

Climate protesters are amassing at Saint Andrews square in Edinburgh today to demand urgent action at COP27.

Edinburgh’s climate coalition wants to show solidarity with activists in Egypt, where protest is highly restricted by law.

The protest comes a day after the Global Carbon Project said global emissions will reach thirty six billion tonnes this year, a record high.

Seeking a liveable future

Freya Atkinson, attending the march with Friends of the Earth, said: "It's now been a year since all the promises that were made at COP26 in Glasgow."

"We've not seen nearly enough action on loss and damage, climate finance and phasing out of fossil fuels

"Meanwhile, the impacts of climate change are becoming more and more obvious . Floods in Pakistan and heatwaves in Europe are obviously caused by the climate crisis.

"This affects all of us, all of us want a liveable future so it's on all of us to protest today."

'Heading for Disaster'

Mike Grant, protesting with Extinction Rebellion, said: "Words are insufficient. Deeds are what are required.

"Many words were spoken at Glasgow last year and deeds have not followed through.

"We’re headed for catastrophe, and our foot is sharply on the accelerator.

"Environmental activism is ramping up these days because the public realise time is running out."

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