Weymouth was alive on Saturday with the sound of samba as approximately 400 climate protesters took to the streets. With climate justice at its core, over 20 organisations and groups came together under the COP26 Dorset Coalition umbrella to highlight climate inaction and how it disproportionately affects those who are least responsible for it.
The event in Weymouth was part of wider protests happening all over the world as part of the COP26 Coalition Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.
The rally gathered at Weymouth Pavilion where local coalition members included environment NGOs, trade unions, grassroots community campaigns, faith groups, youth groups and racial justice networks. Amongst the speakers was Lynne Hubbard, an NHS worker for 30 years who spoke about the links between climate and health.
“Climate change and health are interwoven.” Lynne said.
“A changing climate affects health on so many levels – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Climate change will see huge amounts of additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. In the UK we’re likely to experience higher death rates among the elderely who will struggle with extremes in temperatures especially in winter because of badly insulated properties and fuel poverty.”
To honour the lives of those already lost to climate change in the global south, the march that processed through St Mary’s street paused and fell into a respectful silence for a minute. From the silence a whispered chant of “we are unstoppable, another world is possible” grew to a mighty roar before the march continued on it’s circular route back to the Pavilion.
The recent anti-waste incinerator protests have highlighted climate related injustices closer to home. The proposed incinerator site is close to one of the most economically challenged and densely populated areas in Portland. The nearest homes are less than 500 metres away and would be on a level with emissions from the chimney. The polluting emissions and ultra-fine particles would threaten the health of residents.
Related item with audio: The Climate Conversation in Dorchester 6th November ’21
