A Bishopston woman has told the Voice why she joined a sit-down protest in Bristol city centre as part of a global week of action on the climate crisis.
Twenty five women took part in the peaceful “circle of mothers” demonstration on Cascade Steps last month, organised by Mothers’ Rebellion, an international climate change group.]
Mothers’ Rebellion is linked to the Extinction Rebellion movement.
Mum of three daughters, Kate Windross, said she took part “to give today’s children a future”.
She said: “I can’t stand by and watch climate change happen without trying to stop it. The effects of climate change are already here. Millions of children around the world are suffering floods, fires and famine now as a result of global warming.
“We have the answers but we can’t delay. We need to end the use of fossil fuels and switch to sustainable food systems as fast as we possibly can.
“It’s not a minority fringe saying this. Organisations including Unicef and RCPHC have published documents outlining the current and immediate threats to survival on earth if we don’t act to prevent further climate change.
“I hope that by attending today we can increase awareness of how urgent the climate crisis is. We need as many people as possible to call for action and convince government that this is an emergency requiring immediate change.”
Ava Lorenc, one of the Bristol event’s organisers said: “As mothers, it’s our job to protect our kids. Our children’s future – ALL children’s future – is at stake, which is why we’re uniting as mothers and allies to take a stand, raise awareness, and push politicians to take meaningful, urgent action – starting with phasing out fossil fuels, fast.
“We want to be able to look our children in the eye and tell them we’re doing what we can to reduce the threat of greenhouse gas emissions to our children’s collective future. It’s also really important to us to show other parents, caregivers and children they’re not alone in their worries about the climate crisis.”
“Lots of parents in Bristol want to take meaningful action against the climate crisis, but aren’t sure where to start. Getting involved in collective action is one of the best and easiest ways to do this.”
The group said despite the rain they had a good response from passers-by. Mothers from a range of backgrounds took part, among them a doctor, an artist, an academic, a graphic designer, an events manager, an administrator, an ecologist and a retired grandmother of five.