Extinction Rebellion Held in Orkney

By theorkneynews on May 5, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

Environmental activists in Orkney held an Extinction Rebellion demo on Saturday, 4th of May in Kirkwall. Despite the cold between 30 – 40 people of all ages met together at the shore front to demand that local and national governments take action over climate change.

The demo in Orkney started at 11am and lasted about an hour.

The crowd was addressed by Rachel Evans who had organised the KGS day of action.

Many elected politicians have now woken up to the climate change emergency since the big demonstrations were held across the UK.

Climate Change Emergency Declared But Where is the Response ?

The Extinction Rebellion activists in Orkney have a petition which they are going to present to Orkney Islands Council.

The petition can be found here: Declare a Climate Emergency – Orkney

It states:

We sign to ask that

1. Orkney Islands Council ‘tell the truth’ by joining with councils across Scotland and the world by declaring a Climate Emergency. To work alongside the media to communicate with residents.

2. Orkney Islands Council pass a motion to make Orkney carbon neutral by 2025, considering both production and consumption of emissions.

3. Support a national and local Citizen’s Assembly to advise the Council how to reduce emissions.

The good humoured demo moved through the town to the steps of St Magnus Cathedral.

Orkney Islands Council set out its ambitions to be carbon neutral 2 years ago. Earlier on this year 2 proposed wind farms by Hoolan Energy at Hesta Head and Costa Head were granted permission to go ahead by the Scottish Government having been rejected by the Planning Committee of OIC. Some of Saturday’s protestors were amongst the most vocal of those against the 2 wind farms.

The council is now in the early stages of its Community Wind Farm Project which you can read about here: Orkney Unveils Ambitious Community Wind Farm Project