Salisbury climate activists demand biggest polluters 'pay up'
A peaceful protest is taking place in the city this morning (23rd September)
Last updated 25th Sep 2023
A Salisbury climate activist claims big oil companies have 'made more profits than they know what to do with'.
Extinction Rebellion, Global Justice Now and Christian Aid are holding a demonstration this morning (Saturday 23rd September) from 10.00am, saying the biggest polluters should pay up for the damage they've caused.
According to Graham Wise from Extinction Rebellion Salisbury, the UK's five big oil companies (Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell and Total) made a combined profit of over £180 billion.
"Big oil is making extraordinary unprecedented profits right now while also driving the climate crisis," Graham told Greatest Hits Radio.
The joint-action follows UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak moving Britain's eco targets back to 2035 earlier this week.
Less developed countries taking the brunt of climate change
Graham explained to us that it is developing nations that often find themselves impacted the most by the most violent, extreme and unpredictable weather that climate change brings.
He said: "I'm sure we've all seen on the television, the dreadful images from Libya, Malawi, Sudan, Peru, the Philippines and I could go on elsewhere.
"Yet these are nations that have done the least to create the problem."
The make polluters pay coalition are staging events across the UK today and want to see tougher taxes on the big oil companies.
Graham also wants to see stronger leadership from the government.
"At Cop 27, last year, there was a promise to set up a loss and damage fund, and that's been set up now.
"But it's it's empty while Nations continue to debate how to make that fund work."
Graham reassured us that the protest will be peaceful.
"We think very carefully about what kind of tactics to deploy and we think very carefully about who's working with us."
The groups will be engaging with the public and handing out leaflets, inviting us to join with their petition to demanding leadership from the UK.
The Salisbury demonstration's being held at the Cheese Market.