Several groups of climate campaigners built a six-metre-tall structure in front of the Council House in Nottingham this morning.
This ‘tensegrity’ structure is made from six giant bamboo poles held up with metal cables.
Over 50 people circled the structure holding messages on giant jigsaw pieces.
The campaigners aim to bring awareness to ‘The Big One’, a protest this April in London which has been initiated by Extinction Rebellion but which welcomes all organisations and individuals concerned about the climate and ecological crisis to ‘Unite to Survive’ and come together.
Many different organisations from Nottingham are coming together for The Big One including Nottingham Climate Justice Coalition, Nottingham CND, and Nottingham Greenpeace – the event was also supported by local businesses such as the Tiger Hub Community Cafe, Mammoth Climate Action Cinema and Veggies Catering.
Caroline Kordecki, 61, a specialist study support tutor from East Bridgford representing Dirty Water Campaign said:
“The Government are doing nothing to stop water companies from pouring raw sewage into our waterways. Water companies sell us water, and pollute our rivers. The Trent suffered record low flows in February, and the groundwater in Severn Trent is predicted to be dangerously low.
“Water shortages are very likely. I’m going to the protest in April because we urgently need the Government to make these private companies look at the future of our waterways.”
Ruth Devlin from Global Justice Now, a former journalist said:
“We have to make our concerns heard, and take the restoration of nature seriously – the birds, bees and other insects are responsible for pollinating 75% of the world’s crop production – without these creatures, we can’t produce food that we need”
University lecturer in sustainable energy and supporter of Extinction Rebellion Dr. Arthur Williams, 64 from Carlton, said:
“The uncertain future of water shortages, crop failures and blazing hot summers like last year really worries me. Getting on the bus and actually going down to the Houses of Parliament with thousands of other campaigners makes me feel better.
“Everyone thinks that scientists will sort out huge problems like this, and they have! But politicians have to be willing to follow the advice of scientists, and it’s up to people like us to let the government know what we think.”
The 4-day protest in London starting on Friday 21st April is nicknamed The Big One with over 400 people from Nottinghamshire already signed up to attend.
