Campaigners dropped banners from Westminster Bridge with the slogan „Stop polluting politics“ and lit smoke bombs in a new campaign to end the fossil fuel lobby's influence over British politics. announced the start.
The stunt came as MPs returned to parliament after the Easter break amid speculation about the date of the general election. In the run-up to the election, a brand-new „Stop Pollution Politics“ campaign will call on current and future MPs to reject donations from polluting industries.
Activists say donations and lobbying by the fossil fuel industry is forcing politicians to abandon important climate change policies.
denier
The Conservative Party recently handed out more than 100 new oil and gas licenses and proposed an annual compulsory licensing round in the North Sea., In 2022, it collected £3.5 million from polluters, fossil fuel companies and climate change deniers.
Earlier this year it was revealed that Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow chancellor, had accepted £10,000 from a climate change-sceptic donor. The party later scrapped its £28bn green investment pledge. Lord Donoghue, a donor and Labor Party member, said: telegraph paper: „The donation had nothing to do with it.“
In recent years, the UK has experienced record heatwaves every summer, but rising oil and gas prices have increased winter fuel poverty, with 6.5 million households struggling to heat their homes in January this year. There is. Meanwhile, major oil companies are reporting profits in the billions.
The UK needs faster action to meet emissions targets and prevent climate collapse, according to the Government's own advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change.
Forest fire
Sam Simmons, spokesperson for the Stop Polluting Politics campaign, said: „By handing out donations, lobbying policymakers and funding biased think tanks, big polluters are trying to protect the climate. We are doing everything we can to slow down the change measures.
“This election will be decisive for our lives and for our climate. We have all seen the devastating floods in Libya and the wildfires in Greece, and we have all seen the effects of climate change ourselves. I've felt it.
“Each summer, we experience yet another extreme heat wave, and each winter, millions of families must choose between heating and eating, while energy companies is celebrating record profits.
“Rather than step in and take action, our leaders are allowing the fossil fuel industry to line their pockets and undermine their promises. We demand that our politicians stop this harmful influence and show their loyalty.''Be clear: Are they working for us or are they working for Big Oil? Is there one? ”
this author
Brendan Montague is the editor ecologist.