Hundreds gather for climate protest in Weymouth

20 organisations and groups came together to protest under the COP26 Dorset Coalition to highlight 'climate inaction'.

Protestors initially gathered outside of the Weymouth Pavilion where several members of the groups in attendance gave speeches, before the coalition took to the streets on a march.

“We need urgent action to stop catastrophic climate change,” said organiser and activist Andy Smith.

“Global temperature rise must be limited to 1.5°C, anything above this means that climate change is no longer just disastrous, but catastrophic.

“Even if governments claim this is their target, current plans don’t put us anywhere near on track to achieve it.”

The protesters gathered in Weymouth, one of the many events taking place in the UK and around the globe, as world leaders meet in Glasgow for global climate talks at the COP26.

During the Dorset protest hundreds of people marched through Weymouth town centre followed by the sound of drums and chants of ‘we are unstoppable, another world is possible’.

When the march processed through St Mary’s Street the collective paused for a minute of silence to honour those who have lost their life as a result of 'climate change in the global south'.

Mr Smith, who has been calling for climate justice for three years, also expressed his frustration at the incinerator proposals on Portland - which previously saw people separately gather to protest against.

Alongside Mr Smith in giving a speech was Reverend Brother Alasdair Kay, amongst others, who was representing Christian Climate Action.

He said: “Global problems need global solutions. Our leaders are putting profit before people and we’re here today, along with people all over the world, to demonstrate that unity, love and compassion are more powerful than greed, profit and hollow promises.”

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Mr Smith ended by saying the pandemic had ‘cost the climate movement vital time’ before calling on the council to act.

He added: “I hope Dorset Council sees the number of people here today and starts to take the issue more seriously.

“For any significant change to happen within a reasonable timeframe people need to unite en masse and express their disdain at the lack of action coming from our leaders.”