Thousands of climate action activists are marching through Glasgow today, demanding stronger action on the climate crisis as COP26 continues.
As the People’s March kicks off on a rainy day in Glasgow, here’s why some demonstrators say they’ve taken to the streets.
Alex Sidney, 18, cycled some 214 kilometers (132 miles) from Manchester to Glasgow with the environmental organization, Not 1 More.
“We wanted to show that you can travel in a carbon neutral way. It’s a form of protest,” Sidney said.
“I want the leaders to take action. Radical action,” Sidney added.
71-year-old Liz Wignall said that she and her husband, Mike Wignall, had come to Glasgow from Edinburgh to demonstrate in solidarity with younger generations.
“We’re here for our grandchildren and the future generations,” said Liz, who was holding a placard that read “Grannies against global warming.”
“We’re trying to convince [the leaders] that we want a meaningful action,” Mike, 73, said.
“We want them to know that this is not the end,” Liz added.
Tommy McClellan, also from Edinburgh, was playing the bagpipe at the start of the demonstration. The 58-year-old father of two said he is “desperately worried about the planet and future generations.”
“I have two daughters myself. But it’s not just about humans. Even if humans go extinct, I don’t want us to leave a destroyed planet behind,” McClellan said.
Across the demonstration, protesters are carrying signs calling for climate justice and action. Some read:
“Climate justice now”
“Keep 1.5 alive”
“I haven’t seen a polar bear… but I’d like to”
“It’s now or never…take action”
“People + planet over profit”
“Blah blah blah,” (a reference a Greta Thunberg’s speech, where she roasted world leaders on climate inaction)
“Every disaster movie starts with someone ignoring a scientist”
