Forres Women’s Climate Strike calling for support for Climate and Ecology Bill
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A GROUP is inviting more environmentally conscious women to join their monthly silent vigil in the centre of Forres.
Rachel Winter and up to 14 ladies-a-time stand in silence on Forres High Street with boards informing of their climate strike, drawing attention to the disproportionate impact of extreme weather events and other disasters caused by global heating on women and girls.
Rachel explained: “We are also calling for their voices to be better represented during negotiations aimed at halting rapid, human-induced climate change.
“The vigil is held in front of the Tolbooth on every fourth Friday of the month, from 12.30-1.30pm. All are welcome to join.”
Leading scientists confirm Earth risks losing control of the climate for good unless emissions are reduced and nature is restored.
The Forres Women’s Climate Strike is calling for support - including from Moray’s MP Douglas Ross - for the Climate and Ecology Bill before Parliament, designed to reverse climate and ecological breakdown. The bill was written by scientists, experts and campaigners, and first introduced in Parliament by Caroline Lucas MP in September 2020. It now has the backing of over 150 parliamentarians.
Since last August, the local campaigners have stood silent for around an hour-a-month to raise awareness. Their placards and social media posts carry their message and supporters also hand out leaflets.
Rachel said: “During the last vigil, two male allies handed out cards with a QR code directing people to the Women’s Climate Action network with practical suggestions for things that we can all do collectively to take action to tackle the crisis. There is information on a range of issues, covering how we travel and bank, our pensions, greening our homes, taking action in the workplace, talking to others.
“If someone wants to stop and ask questions, one of us is always ready to step out of the line to talk further with them.”
The group has held a Climate Café in Cafe 1496 for people to find out more and aims to do so again.
The reaction from passers-by is generally positive.
“Occasionally, women have joined us,” said Rachel, “either as a one-off or more regularly. Often people give us a thumbs up or beep their horns.
“We need to keep awareness high about how urgent it is for us to take more collective action.”
Visit https://womensclimateaction.net/ for more information.
