Inverness Climate Change March 21 September

29 May 2014

Climate Change was in the spotlight in Inverness on Sunday.

Normally Sunday in Inverness High Street is a quiet time with shoppers emerging
from a relaxed late breakfast and the odd busker strumming his guitar.  But last
Sunday was different - over 100 enthusiastic peaceful protestors changed
the atmosphere somewhat with their chanting and drumming and banners asking
for worldwide action on climate change.

The event was part of a massive worldwide initiative through Avaaz, the
online campaigning organisation and it was timed to coincide with the
impending UN summit on climate change in New York.

Shouting 'Climate Action Now' the procession headed from Velocity Cycle
Cafe down St Stephen's Brae and up and down the High St. The march was one
of thousands across the globe in 150 countries. Over 675000 people in total
marched around the world. Those marching locally came from a variety of
local organisations including the Scottish Green Party, Friends of the
Earth, Oxfam, Transition groups, Highland Cycle Campaign, Greenpeace and
World Development Movement and all passionately hope the UN summit will
result in real commitment to tackle the climate change issue.

Mark Stevens from the Green Party, who initiated the Inverness event said,
“it was very gratifying to see so many people turning out and making their
voice heard especially so soon after the frenzy of the referendum.  We need
to show world politicians how very concerned we are for the future and that
unless dramatic political action is taken our grandchildren will likely
have to cope with unprecedented volatile weather and possible real food
shortages due to failed harvests.  If we allow carbon emissions to rise
unchecked, we are likely to see global temperatures spiralling out of
control due to the earth’s own feedback systems.”

Anne Thomas from Transition Black Isle and the Greens said ‘The message to
world leaders meeting in New York from all these people is that we cannot
wait. The climate is already changing. The ice caps are melting.
Unprecedented floods, heat waves, wild fires, hurricanes and other extreme
weather events are increasing. People are dying. Many species are becoming
extinct. It's time to stop the excuses and take action to cut our carbon
emissions for the sake of a liveable planet for all'.
AT