Crowds in Cardiff and Bangor demand climate justice

The people who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are suffering the most.

Pacific island nations are disappearing into the sea, African nations are facing an unprecedented food crisis caused by drought and flooding. People living in coastal communities face losing their homes - some are literally teetering on the edge of a cliff.

Communities in Wales, like the rest of the world, are also increasingly being battered by devastating floods, droughts, storm and heatwaves and it is often the least well off and most vulnerable of us that suffer the most.

#NowWeRise

Friends of the Earth’s network of local action groups headed to towns and cities across the UK last Saturday (9 December 2023) for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.

As a huge historical emitter, the UK ought to be leading the way. Instead new research from Friends of the Earth shows that the UK Government is off-track to achieve its 2030 targets.

Worse still, it's watering down its promises when it comes to supporting countries who've done the least to cause climate change and have least resources to take climate action.

Members from Cardiff, Swansea, Caerphilly and Pembrokeshire local action groups joined other community groups in the capital for the event organised by Climate Justice Coalition Cardiff.

We took to the streets of Cardiff to tell the UK that it must not COP out of doing its fair share of taking climate action that will be good for people in the UK and globally.

The starting point was the law courts, where we gathered to listen to rousing speeches. As at other Global Day of Action events, the link was made to the horrific situation in Gaza, with calls for a ceasefire. As a number of speakers highlighted, there is no climate justice without peace and human rights.

Hundreds of us then marched through the centre of town, chanting, 'What do we want? Climate justice. When do we want it. Now."

In Bangor, a youth-led event was organised by coalition of groups including Gweithredu Hinsawdd Gogledd Orllewin Cymru/NW Climate Action Group and the North Wales Africa Society.

The event began at the Pontio building with a well-attended message making workshop to create colourful and impactful placards and posters. A sea of people and bobbing placards then thronged the streets for a peaceful march around the centre of Bangor.

After that, everyone gathered again at Pontio to hear from the younger generation and their thoughts, hopes and desires for the future.