YOUTH CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TO MARCH AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS

FRIDAY 3rd MARCH – Middle Meadow Walk – 11am

Fridays For Future have announced a global climate strike tomorrow, Friday 3 March, which will see protestors march from Middle Meadow Walk to the Scottish Parliament, departing at 11 am.

The organisers will emphasise the catastrophic effects that fossil fuels have on our planet and its people; the lives being sacrificed for new oil and gas.

Adam Ballard, a 17-year-old activist with Fridays For Future, said: “The climate crisis and the cost of living crisis have the same root cause: the refusal to move away from fossil fuels.

“There is no energy shortage; there is a corrupt system that prioritises profit over people. While ordinary people are forced to choose between heating and eating, the people in power and fossil fuel CEOs continue to make unimaginable profits.”

After the march, there will be a rally in front of the Scottish Parliament where speakers from supportive groups including Stop Rosebank, Youth in Resistance, the Edinburgh High School Students Union and Palestine Action will share words with the activists and lend their experiences.

Niamh Gill, 16, said, “The science clearly states there can be no more oil, gas or coal developments if we want a liveable future.

“The UK government is keeping Rosebank, Jackdaw and the newly proposed Whitehaven coal mine on the table, instead of securing and investing in a just transition to renewables for the workers and wider society, and climate justice for all.”

Harris, an 18-year-old activist added: “The Global North has already used up 90% of the carbon budget to have a chance of staying below 1.5 or 2 degrees of warming. Millions in the Global South are far more vulnerable to this crisis, despite having the least responsibility in causing it.

“Yet our countries, governments and corporations continue to exploit them and destroy their lives and communities in search of more profit. The facts are clear, fossil fuels are fatal.”

Fridays for Future Edinburgh are calling on everyone to join them on March 3rd to protest against fossil fuels and the UK Government’s continued expansion of fossil fuel projects.

Involving young people in COP26

Opportunities to meet world leaders and climate activists

More children and young people will have the chance to get involved in COP26. A further £35,000 funding from the Scottish Government will increase the reach of initiatives from ReNew the World and Campaign Collective who organise events to meet world leaders and climate activists.

The funding will also support the Climate Changemakers programme from the Children’s Parliament, which will provide opportunities for children up to 14-years-old to share their ideas for tackling the climate crisis.

In July the Scottish Government announced £450,000 to support COP26’s Youth Climate Programme and a further £300,000 in September to fund the Conference of Youth.

Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey said: “Children and young people in Scotland are driving forward the cause for climate action and it is vital we listen to their views and harness their passion as part of COP26 and its legacy.

“We have now invested £950,000 to involve our children and young people in COP26 and the ongoing climate conversation. This will ensure they not only have a strong voice during the event, but also have a say in what should happen after.”

Director of ReNew the World Ewan Hunter said: “COP26 provides the opportunity for the world to look at the challenges we face on climate in a rational, but optimistic, positive, way. One based upon renewal, innovation and opportunity.  

“By creating the opportunities for engagement, we can give these young people the chance to write a very different story for their generation’s future and their vision of our collective journey to net zero.” 

Last month the Scottish Government announced £160,000 of funding for Local Authority Climate Champions. The programme is being delivered in partnership with Young Scot, YouthLink Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The Children’s Parliament will receive £15,000 to support their Climate Changemakers programme.

ReNew the World will receive £15,000 to host and film events for young people and high-profile influential political and business leaders.

Campaign Collective will receive £5,000 to support their events and shadowing opportunities.