Thousands of activists, including schoolchildren, faith leaders, parents, and grandparents, gathered at Parliament Square in London for a significant mass lobby event titled "Act Now, Change Forever." On a busy day in Westminster, approximately 5,000 people from across the UK met with their Members of Parliament to urge urgent climate and nature action amidst increasing climate-driven extreme weather. The event sought to prompt politicians to commit funding to communities hardest hit by climate change, restore nature, and secure a greener, fairer future with robust support for UK jobs.

The colourful scene featured protestors wearing vibrant t-shirts and holding up creative signage with messages such as "Make Polluters Pay," and “Worried mother trying to protect my kids,” while symbolic items like a giant melting ice cream shaped as planet Earth and a surfboard emblazoned with “Ocean + Climate Emergency” underscored the urgency of the crisis. Among the attendees was an 80-year-old grandfather, Sigurd Reimers from Somerset, representing the group Our Grandchildren’s Climate, advocating for pensions to divest from fossil fuels to safeguard the future of forthcoming generations.

Campaigners highlighted recent climate events including droughts in northern England and flooding in Texas to demonstrate the immediate and global impact of climate change. Kate Norgrove, executive director of conservation advocacy at WWF, pointed out how politicians often underestimate public support for climate action, as evidenced by the extensive turnout of people from around the country queuing to meet their MPs. She stressed that the urgency of the issue demands immediate response, saying, “The time was yesterday really. We can feel the heat.”

Mark Funnell from the National Trust emphasised the tangible consequences of climate change on the UK's landscapes, mentioning droughts, floods, and extreme weather already affecting many regions. He called for stronger parliamentary action and said that although the government has laid out ambitious environmental commitments, more progress is needed on the ground. Dani Jordan from Surfers Against Sewage also stressed the interconnectedness of climate, pollution, and nature crises, praising the event for uniting diverse voices to foster hope and collective strength.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband lent his support via video message, acknowledging the significance of the gathering and affirming the government’s commitment to placing climate and nature at the forefront of its agenda. He highlighted recent government efforts, including investments in clean energy, land use reforms for nature recovery, and funding for tree planting and peatland restoration. Miliband described these as part of the most substantial UK investment in climate, clean energy, and nature ever announced.

The event, coordinated by The Climate Coalition and supported by a variety of organisations such as Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, Tearfund, and Zero Hour, was part of a wider campaign to mobilise citizens and provide resources, training, and guidance for engaging MPs on climate policy. Activities during the day included photo opportunities, panel discussions, and networking hubs aimed at empowering new and experienced campaigners alike. Participants were encouraged to join the growing grassroots movement to demonstrate widespread public demand for decisive climate action.

This mass lobby reflects a critical moment of civic mobilisation amidst mounting environmental challenges, emphasising the necessity for urgent, comprehensive responses to the climate crisis both in the UK and globally.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services