Climate activists lament the ‘disaster’ of Trump’s return to power
Environmentalists rallied to express their fears for the planet’s future after this week’s inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the US.
Groups gathered in Westminster and Whitehall to show collective opposition and alarm at the return of Trump – who says he will “drill baby, drill” and who chose as a first act the renouncement of the global Paris Accord on climate. The USA now joins Libya, Yemen and Iran as the only nations not signed up to it.
A banner was put up by Westminster Bridge, opposite the Houses of Parliament, by Phil Thornhill of Campaign Against Climate Change.
Friends of the Earth were there, along with many other groups, saying that for many people across the US and globally who believe in a collective future where international peace is possible, the rights of all are protected and the health of our planet is recovering, today is likely to be a sobering moment.
They claim Trump’s return to the Oval Office is emboldening a new wave of climate denial – despite the catastrophic wildfires raging now in Los Angeles, fuelled by climate change.
Jamie Peters, interim chief executive for Friends of the Earth, said: “We are here tonight to stand against Donald Trump and his divisive brand of politics and against his climate denialism, but also to stand together with marginalised groups that Donald Trump targets.
“2024 was a year of devastating floods, scorching heatwaves and deadly droughts the world over, and the first to surpass the 1.5 degrees threshold. With things only set to worsen in 2025, there couldn’t be a greater need for global co-operation in averting runaway climate breakdown.”
A Friends of the Earth spokeswoman said: “Instead of giving in to the culture of fear, division and doubt being sown by those who stand to gain from increasing polarisation online and in our communities, we must redouble our efforts on climate and social justice at such a critical juncture for people and the planet.
“Countries like the UK, must lead the charge in bringing the international community together around an agenda of transformative climate action that benefits people with lower energy bills, secure, green jobs and a healthier environment for all.”
Pictured top: Left to right: Tanya Savini, Simon Rose, Jamie Peters, Auriel Glanville of Merton Friends of the Earth, Denis Fernando and Masharof Ahmed (Picture: Louise Redgard-Siler)