SCORES of protesters took to the streets of Leamington today in solidarity with climate strikers around the world.
Around 200 residents old and young marched along the Parade to demand more action against global warming.
It was one of some 200 strikes taking place across the UK in the largest global protest to date.
So far five have been held in Leamington, as part of the Youth Strike 4 Climate movement inspired by teen activist Greta Thunberg, who will be attending the UN Climate Change Summit in New York next week while protests around the world are set to continue.
Among the Leamington crowd was Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western and Green Party county councillor Jonathan Chilvers who was delighted at the turn out.
He said: “This was the biggest protest yet in Leamington. I was inspired to hear passionate, well informed people young and old; and be part of a world-wide movement here in our own town.
“Pressure is starting to have an impact on political decisions. But each person needs to make clear that you want action on the climate crisis so our children can have a secure future. Next time please come and join us.”
The procession took over the Royal Priors Shopping Centre for part of the event where some echoed the mass ‘die ins’ staged by protesters across the UK including in Coventry.
Although the UK government recently declared a climate emergency, protesters are demanding it raises its 2050 target for net-zero carbon emissions, to lower the voting age, and for changes to the school curriculum to include climate change lessons.
The protest also follows recent global attention to fires tearing through the Amazon rainforest which scientists say could impact rainfall and consequently agriculture on the continent.
