Two members of a local climate action group protested outside the town hall on Friday (September 25) awareness of climate change.

Ruth Vale and student Esther Jay, who goes to Testbourne School in Whitchurch, are both members of Whitchurch Christian Social Justice Group and held their vigil in solidarity with over 3000 other protests held around the world, organised by Fridays for Future International as part of the Global Day of Climate Action.

Ruth Vale said: “We stood there for about an hour. Lots of people passed. Some stopped and chatted. It was good.

“I let it be known that this was part of an international protest and that we felt Whitchurch should be represented. Two young ladies tried to make a donation and then thanked me! Cars going past peered but kept going. We had one or two hoots. I said we'd be back in a month's time.”

Fridays for Future said, in relation to the global protest: “The coming months and years will be crucial in ensuring a safe pathway below 1.5°C increase in global mean temperature, a target stated in the Paris Agreement. If we are to minimise the risks of triggering irreversible chain reactions beyond human control, we need to act now. It is therefore vital that the climate crisis doesn’t get forgotten in the shadow of the coronavirus but is regarded as the utmost priority. Fridays For Future will keep protesting as long as exploitation of nature is allowed to continue”.

Eric Damien, from Fridays For Future Kenya, added: “The pandemic has shown us that politicians have the power to act quickly and consistent with the best available science. But not even amid a pandemic is the climate crisis on hold. No measures have been taken to lower worldwide greenhouse gas emissions in a sustainable and just manner”.

Whitchurch Christian Social Justice Group are planning to continue their campaign by hosting a climate-themed service on October 18 at All Hallows Church’s Harvest Festival.