Protest to underline fears for the next generation - The Worcester Observer

Protest to underline fears for the next generation

Worcester Editorial 23rd Oct, 2021   0

CAMPAIGN group Extinction Rebellion (XR) Worcester have revealed they will lay hundreds of children’s shoes in the centre of Worcester.

The group will take the action today (Saturday) from midday to 2.30pm to highlight what they call the failure by the government to act urgently to address the Climate Emergency.

The action is taking place ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, under the Presidency of the United Kingdom.

In a new survey and paper on ‘Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety’ by the University of Bath, 72 per cent of young Brits believe ‘the future is frightening’, while nearly 40 per cent say they are hesitant to have children because of the climate crisis.




Travis Blake, of Lansdowne Road, Worcester and father of eight and 12-year-old girls donated football boots and slippers his girls have grown out of for the protest.

“Frankly I’m terrified for the future of all our children – their lives will be massively impacted by climate change,” he said.


“Today’s politicians are the last with a chance to lead us to net zero in time. Will they confront the reality and offer people a meaningful route to change? Will they choose to lead us to life or death?”

Mum and former head of support for a brain tumour charity, Rosemary Warmington, said: “The shoes are to remind those in power of the need to protect young people from climate change.

“We lost our daughter Frances to a brain tumour which we could do nothing about. I don’t want to lose my son to something that is totally preventable.

“Governments both at home and across the world need to Act Now and get rid of fossil fuel use and subsidies before it’s too late to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”

The shoes used in the XR Worcester protest have all been donated by parents, residents and neighbours from across the city. Extinction Rebellion will donate the shoes to anti-poverty charity Shoe Aid following the action.

XR has local groups across Worcestershire. Members include engineers, teachers, health and environment professionals, students, school children, business and retired people.

Visit www.xrworcs.org.uk for more.

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