COP26 Protests

Protests in Liverpool ahead of COP26 climate crisis meeting

SASKIA FRYER reports on the latest demonstrations in Glasgow and Liverpool ahead of November’s summit

While world leaders and environmental experts are set to meet in Glasgow in November for the 26th international climate talks. More people join in solidarity to emphasise to governments that change needs to take place more urgently and more radically

COP26, which takes place every five years, will discuss the measures they will have to take collectively to help reduce global warming and stop irreversible harm being done to our planet.

Many are joint in feelings of anger and frustration with the governments reaction to global warming. They believe they have not been true to their word.

Certain infrastructures have been planned which could cause more harm to the planet.

Including, new licenses for oil drillers to continue exploring the North Sea for reserves, despite government plans to try and cut carbon emissions.

COP26 Coalition group was formed to make demands to the government and world leaders to do more to protect our planet from global warming.

In response to the meeting, they have planned a large protest on November 6th in Glasgow.

People from across the globe are expected to travel and take part in demands for radical change for our environment.

Some of their demands include no more investments into fossil fuels.

Wealthier countries to provide financial support to poorer countries experiencing the extreme effects of climate change and the expansion of green and affordable housing.

The group are calling for everyone around the world to set up their own local groups and organise events with local communities.

Liverpool has established its own coalition group by a selection of people who came together and have invited communities and groups to support the cause.

They have support from Trade Unions, charities including Greenpeace, followed by activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Fridays For Future.

They want to stop plans of the expansion of the Liverpool John Lennon airport which they claim would lead to further pollution.

The John Lennon airport commented on the environmental impact on their Master Plan to 2050, which was released in March 2018.

It states that they have “adopted an Environmental Management Strategy (EMS)”, meaning their objective is to follow policies which they hope to cause less harm to the environment.

For example, they aim to minimise aircraft emissions, minimise noise disturbance and reduce volume of waste created.

Clara Paillard, one of the co-ordinators from the Liverpool Coalition, wants to bring people’s attention to demands they have for their city as well as the world.

The coalition also want to prevent the new dual carriageway which is planned to go through Rimrose Valley country park, which caused protests to the plan in late August.

These are only some of the various demands the coalition is calling for.

Clara says: “We want a shift from the current capitalist economies that put profit before people and the planet, to a more sustainable society where people still have access to important services”.

This includes seeing the use of renewable energy becoming more of a norm in our society where they hope to see the government make large investments into implementing it.

She says: “This can only be done if energy is brought back under public ownership so we can have control of a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy”.

She added: “We want the council Poster from The Liverpool COP26 Coalition group.

“We want the council to be more serious when it comes to measures it can take”

to be more serious when it comes to measures it can take in Liverpool to operate in a more sustainable manner”.

She says: “They have got plans and objectives but we don’t think it’s radical enough”

Part of their mission in the group is to also raise awareness to the public about climate change, why its’ being caused and what are the real solutions to rectify the damage by educating people and having discussions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have released recent reports of humans damaging impact on the planet.

It was reported that within the past five years we have seen the highest temperatures since 1850. Along with our sea levels having tripled since the early 1900’s.

The coalition feel a lack of confidence that the meeting with the world leaders will bring about great change, yet they are determined to make their voices heard.

She says: “We hope this moment will mobilise a critical mass of people so more people will take action to force the government to take a look at the climate crisis”.

The Liverpool COP26 Coalition are organising a demonstration on 6th of November at Sefton Park Gates (Ullet Road) at 12pm.

She added: “We want the council to be more serious when it comes to measures it can take in Liverpool to operate in a more sustainable manner.

“They have got plans and objectives but we don’t think it’s radical enough”

Part of their mission in the group is to also raise awareness to the public about climate change, why it is being caused and what are the real solutions to rectify the damage by educating people and having discussions.