SYDNEY/LONDON – On Friday, thousands of Australians poured out onto the streets to protest government inaction regarding climate change, as the raging bushfires took bushland after several months of destruction and causing 27 deaths.
Public anger has now spread to Britain where several people gathered to protest in Central London in Strand. Most of the placards denounced Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisson, some even branding him as a “fossil fool”.
The crisis has pressured Morrison’s conservative government to do more to combat climate change after Australia weakened its commitment at the U.N. Paris climate accord.
The demonstration on Friday came after authorities in Australia urged a million people to evacuate their homes while military backup was prepared in response to the soaring temperatures and increased winds which fanned bushfires along the continent’s east coast.
Sydney’s major roads were blocked by protesters chanting “ScoMo has got to go” and “Save us from hell”.
The protests also happened in Canberra and Melbourne and the noxious air quality after the bushfires made them two of the cities with the most polluted air on the planet.
In London, over 100 people gathered outside the Australian High Commission with banners saying “Stop Killing our Planet (PLEASE)”, “Climate Change Denier Scott Morrison Fiddles while Australia Burns” and “Inaction against climate change, that’s just not cricket”.
Protesters from Extinction Rebellion joined the demonstration, blocking roads and holding up traffic while banging drums. Hot free vegan food was handed out to protesters from a food trailer attached to a bike.
Members from the crowd said that they gathered to protest as the Australian government was doing nothing to combat climate change, they need to be put under pressure as the government seems to be denying it.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has continually rejected criticism that his government is not doing enough.
Scientists warned that the fire frequency and intensity will continue to surge as the country becomes drier and hotter.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.