Issue 149

25,000 people go on climate change march

20th November 2006

Swansea students attended a rally in London on 4 November calling for governments to act urgently on the issue of Climate change.

The march was attended by between 22,500 and 25,000 people and was organised to precede the International Climate Talks in Nairobi, Kenya which took place between 6 and 17 of November. Celebrities including Guardian Columnist George Monbiot and comedienne Simone Amstell, talked to the crowds at Trafalgar square.

The transport from the University was organised by Huw Jones, a first year Engineering student, member of Respect and the Conservation society. Around 49 Swansea University students filled the bus that was provided for the journey, an increase on last year's turnout.

Jones said, "Government and corporations can not ignore such large numbers of people. We also hope that ordinary people see what we are doing and take notice. There were a lot of different people from different backgrounds on the march: socialists, environmentalists, people outside of societies and lots of young people."

In future weeks Swansea University will see an increase in environmental activism with the international Green energy conference, 'Go Green Week' due to start on the 27 November and finishing on the 1 December.

In order to raise awareness of climate change issues campus environmental groups will be protesting outside Fulton House on Friday the 1 December, lobbying the Vice chancellor and organising fundraising nights in Monkey bar.

Katherine Lane, President People and Planet, said, "it was a huge event. It was great to see so many students there and there was a really good atmosphere. I really hope we achieved something."

Pete Swan