On Saturday 23rd September, 50 Christians from local churches took part in a protest, starting with an act of prayer and worship at St Luke’s Church on Grange Park, before walking to St John’s Church, via the Hedge End centre shops. The walk gathered people from all faiths and none and was to highlight the ‘Make Polluters Pay’ day of action, a campaign which aims to put pressure on the government to make the big fossil fuel companies pay, as they have promised, into the fund to help those most affected by climate change.
The campaign has been widely supported by Christian organisations such as Christian Aid. The local Christian Aid rep, Sian Andrews, was instrumental in the march and explained exactly what the protest was focusing on:
‘The people who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are dealing with damage to harvests and homes, right now. They are losing their lives, land and culture, right now. The biggest polluters, like fossil fuel corporations, continue to make vast profits, despite being responsible for the climate crisis. This is why we walked and wrote to our MP; to stand with our global neighbours who are suffering. We are calling for the most polluting companies and countries to pay up for the loss and damage they’ve caused.
The term ‘loss and damage’ is used in UN climate talks to refer to the consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to. Losses are things which can never be replaced like loss of lives, livelihoods and culture. Damage, such as to homes, roads and schools can be repaired, but it takes resources.
Sian Andrews, Christian Aid Rep
The organisers ensured that the walk was entirely peaceful, non-disruptive and fully legal. For many of those on the walk, it was the first time they had taken part in a demonstration. Many passers by commented that it was the first time they had seen climate protest taking place locally as previously they were only aware of marches happening in London.
Several clergy took part in the march, including Richard Wise, Area Dean of Eastleigh who said:
“I was so pleased that one of the actions for Make Polluters Pay was in our Deanery and that I was able to be there. I’d like to thank the team from St Luke’s for organising it and St John’s for their part in it. For me, being out there, being seen with a placard, isn’t just witness but like a prayer – or the ‘Amen’ at the end of it. It says that we really mean it and it’s worth taking some time out of the day to do it. It’s great to do it with other people too – there’s a real sense of unity and fellowship, as well as the impact of numbers. Of course, we are all complicit in the climate crisis to some extent, but it’s the fossil fuel companies that have been making huge profits out of it for years. I think the demand that they are made to pay into the Loss and Damage Fund is absolutely the right one.’
The protesters are now awaiting a response from their local MP who they have asked to report on what action the government will take. All across the UK, people took part in similar marches, joining with the Make Pollluters Pay campaign to help raise awareness of this urgent issue.
Many local people are now becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of climate change and how it impacts the poorest people, and there is an increasing desire to see our government take action.
Local church spokesperson
