Hundreds of people braved the rain to join a global day of action on Saturday (9 December) to show their support for climate action during the COP28 UN talks taking place in Dubai.
The Edinburgh event was one of hundreds taking place around the world, and brought together the voices of thousands of people united for action to tackle the climate and nature crisis, secure sustainable jobs, and a fairer, greener, healthier society for everyone.
The event was organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition, alongside the UK wide Climate Justice Coalition, local groups and activists. Speakers covered the headlines from the COP28 talks, highlighted the climate impacts being experienced around the world, the opportunities to deliver a fair transition for workers and communities and to protect nature, and the threat posed by new oil fields such as Rosebank off Shetland and an extra gas-fired power station at Peterhead.
Becky Kenton-Lake, from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:
“This year will soon be confirmed as the hottest ever recorded, and there have been devastating climate impacts in all corners of the world, from flooding in Brechin, wildfires in Hawaii and drought in the Horn of Africa.
“People are increasingly frustrated that, despite this, we have seen a lack of robust and urgent action to reduce emissions, protect nature, or make the biggest polluters pay for the damage they are causing – things they have been demanding for years. The COP28 Global Day of Action sent a strong message to governments that there must be no more delay to delivering fair climate action.”
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a diverse coalition of over 60 organisations campaigning together on climate change, including WWF Scotland, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, and Oxfam Scotland.
More photos from the event can be found here (credit: Colin Hattersley)
