A GROUP of young people from Stroud were among those who travelled to London by coach on Sunday to join the world’s largest ever climate change march.

The Global Climate Change March in the capital was one of thousands of similar events across the globe held to coincide with the start of the Paris climate conference this week.

Campaigners and activists joined voices in more than 200 countries to call on world leaders to take clear, meaningful and legally binding action to tackle global carbon emissions.

Among the contingent were a group of young people aged 15 to 24 from Stroud, marching together as the Our World, Our Future group.

“I went on the march because I want the government to start taking climate change seriously,” said Milo, aged 17. “I want more MPs to turn up to climate change debates, for a start.

Rueben, 17, added: “People need to hear that we can't carry on as we are, that what we do is having irreversible impacts on the world. If the government took it more seriously it would be easier for others to follow.”

Stroud News and Journal:

With record breaking numbers of people marching all over the UK on Sunday - over 50,000 marchers in London alone - this event was the largest climate change event in the UK ever.

“The global march united people in the hope of change,” said Rosie, 18. “We all marched as one community with tens of thousands of voices and one clear message - this is our world and young people have a right to a good future.

“There is a wide variety of age groups here, which is fantastic, but it's vital for the young people to get involved as this is our future it's affecting.

“The first thing I would change if I could is to invest in renewables, what's the point in investing large amounts of our money into a finite resource?” she asked.

19-year-old Esme added: “I think everyone left feeling like our voices will be heard. We just can't stand by and watch our planet being destroyed, we have to put up a fight.”

The group of young activists has called for better educational opportunities at school to learn about the issues and gain skills and understanding about how to live more sustainably.

They are also encouraging young people who want to find out more to join the Our World youth group with sessions taking place once a month.

Stroud News and Journal:

All young people aged 13 and over in the Stroud District are welcome to join the Our World group to find how they can make a change.

  • For more information go to www.cscic.org or email anna@cscic.org