Islanders join global march to combat climate change

Around 40 protesters gathered in the Royal Square before marching to Liberation Square and forming a star shape – an act that was replicated around the world.

Thousands of marches were held on Saturday and Sunday in more than 150 countries to ask for a global response to climate change.

Activists want action to limit the rise in the average global temperature to 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

The Global Climate March took place ahead of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference opening in Paris.

In the French city itself, activists formed a human chain in a rally that had been scaled down because of the recent terrorist attacks.

The local event was organised by the Jersey Climate Action Network, which was set up in 2009 to raise awareness of climate change issues by the Jersey in Transition action group.

Campaigners wore bright clothing and carried banners and signs through the streets of St Helier reading ‘100% clean energy’ and ‘Global Climate March Jersey’.

Soil expert Glyn Mitchell addressed the group at the end of the march and said that in learning how to ‘compost properly’ Islanders could start to counter the effects of climate change.

‘Gather a handful of microbe-rich compost and make a commitment to stop using chemicals of all varieties and concentrate on putting life back into the soil to save future generations from the consequences of climate change,’ he said.

Ruth Baier-Rolls, a member of Jersey In Transition, was one of the marchers who gathered in the Royal Square

Ruth Baier-Rolls, a member of Jersey In Transition, said: ‘It is important that we as a small island also make a statement about climate change, not only to address world leaders, but also to address our own political leadership.

‘The consequences of climate change will affect us very strongly with regard to severe flooding, but also in respect to food security and extinction of local species.

‘We have to wake up and take action.’

The Paris conference – named COP21 – is due to begin today and will continue until 1 December.

By signing the Kyoto Protocol – an international treaty with the aim of reducing greenhouse gases – in 2005, Jersey has committed to reducing its carbon emissions.

Pathway 2050 – an energy plan for Jersey – was approved by the States last year.

It outlines the challenges in reducing energy use by 2050 and sets out policies and actions to work towards the Kyoto target by using secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

Some progress has already been made, including encouraging the use of electric cars through subsidised parking and charging points in all car parks, reduced rates of vehicle emissions duty and a planned programme of improvement in the energy efficiency standards in social housing.

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