Extinction Rebellion have taken to the streets of Newark to highlight their concerns as COP 28 is taking place

Over the last fortnight, leaders from around the world have been gathering for the United Nations Climate Conference known as COP28.

Author: Charlotte LinnecarPublished 12th Dec 2023

Members of Extinction Rebellion Newark have been taking a stand for climate change, highlighting their concerns as the United Nations Climate Conference is taking place.

Coming to a close today the aim of the conference is to reduce CO2 pollution globally to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

To mark the occasion a group of local people have been taking a “Sit for Climate” each morning for the duration of COP28.

The series of events, organised by Newark and Sherwood Extinction Rebellion, finishes today.

Carl Braithwaite tells us how the group have found the 'sits':

"Yeah, it's been really good. The initiative is for people in the locality to sit with messaging related to to climate change,

"We wanted to centre what was going on in COP, locally, because it's all too easy to see these as distant things, and you know many of the catastrophes around the world are in distant locations, but we know these changes can affect us all.

"You can't attribute single pieces of weather to climate change. But we know things like intense flooding are made far more likely by climate change, and likely to be more intense too. So we wanted to centre it in our locality with the daily sit for climate throughout the COP process, and so it's been 13 days.

"We've had some really positive responses as well. We've had, you know, people driving past and showing solidarity. We've had commuters come up and chat - one even gave us a round of applause today. So really good engagement."

He also told us why it was so important to show their drive for a greener future:

"It's important for people to see us and to connect, but also even though, you know, it's a small town on the border of Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire, it's important people see that there are people in this locality who do care about this, and want to call on their leaders to really take a stand, to step up to the plate and to make the right decisions.

"I want to see bold statements coming out of these conferences so that our government can show it sees what's happening. So a statement of phasing out of fossil fuels, a rapid phase out of fossil fuels, beginning immediately - so that we can have a shot of staying within that safe zone."

The events have provided opportunities for people to come and sit together in a public space, with a written message for the elected representatives on themes of climate, biodiversity and related justice issues.

Similar events have also been taking place in Lincoln.

Each session has included poetry, a chosen piece of music and meditation, silent prayer, reflection.

Ali Carter, a group member, said:

“Conferences like COP take place far away from ordinary people and yet are vital for everyone

“As a group we wanted to provide an outlet for local people’s worries and concerns about the future, to get people talking about the climate emergency. To show our leaders that people from all walks of life understand what is happening to our climate and are deeply concerned about what it means for us all.

“People I talk to are horrified at recent decisions by the UK government to license new oil and gas in the North Sea on a massive scale. I have become involved as a way of saying “not in my name”, for my children and future generations and want our leaders to step up at COP and make decisions for all of us not just those who lobby for fossil fuel companies”.

Dave Atkinson, a surveyor for the Woodland Trust and a member of the group, said:

“I am supporting this series of actions because of the devastating impacts we are having on the natural world and the changes I’ve seen in my own lifetime, whether it’s the loss of insects and birds in the UK or the disappearance of the rainforests.

“We are in an emergency and need an urgent plan for climate and nature “I would love this to build. For change to happen we need people who understand what is happening and feel the same to come together to really make an impact.”

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