Activists warn of catastrophic consequences of return to power for climate change denier Trump
Activists from Campaign Against Climate Change and Friends of the Earth, took part in a “Trump Climate Disaster” demonstration outside the US Embassy at Nine Elms.
The protesters gathered on Saturday ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, rejecting his climate denial and demanding urgent action.
Donald Trump has said: “We don’t have a global warming problem, it is a hoax. The oceans are going to rise one eighth of an inch over the next 400 years and you’ll have more ocean front properties.”
Phil Thornhill, organiser for Campaign Against Climate Change, said: “The election of an ignorant, vindictive would-be dictator to be the most powerful man on earth is terrifying in so many ways, but much the most consequential is the grievous blow it deals to faltering world efforts to confront the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, which threatens the very liveability of the planet and therefore literally everyone on it.
“In electing Trump, Americans are stampeding over the precipice into hell on earth and they are taking the rest of the world with them.”
Campaign Against Climate Change, who organised this event, say as the world heats up, the window to avoid the worst impacts of climate catastrophe is rapidly closing.
The US is already the world’s largest oil and gas producer. Now their federal government will be entirely in the hands of those who deny climate change and will stop at nothing to pursue profits Trump’s intention to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement, they say.
Mr Thornhill added: “Trump emboldens climate deniers and the far right around the world. His attacks on democracy and human rights are frightening and we will stand in solidarity with those resisting in the US.
“The impact of his climate policies may be overlooked in comparison, but they threaten the homes, livelihoods and lives of billions around the world, especially in the poorest countries who have done the least to cause the climate crisis.”
Pictured top: Protestors making their point. The Statue of Taking Liberties, Auriel Glanville of Merton Friends of the Earth, Steve Burak as Donald Trump, and Phil Thornhill, organiser for Campaign Against Climate Change (Picture: David Merzoeff)