File:Edinburgh Climate Activists.jpg

English: Climate activists in Edinburgh sent a message to world politicians who are meeting now in Lima, asking them to agree a deal to prevent catastrophic climate change.

They took to the streets on Saturday to collect signatures supporting the Edinburgh Climate Action Pledge which also calls on the City of Edinburgh Council to take urgent steps to cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Matthew Crighton of Friends of the Earth Edinburgh commented

“To look after our planet and ourselves we have to stop burning fossil fuels – coal, natural gas and oil – and switch to renewables. It’s practical and can improve people’s lives at the same time. Transforming our energy system will create jobs, cut pollution and tackle dangerous climate change. 

“Let’s take vigorous action now, rather than face the consequences of climate change- devastation to farming around the world, rising food prices and rising hunger, mass migrations and unrest, flooding of coastal areas; and disaster for the natural world.

“So we want a global agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions; and we also want action in Scotland to meet our emissions targets. We support Edinburgh Council’s target to reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. We want to see action taken now to achieve and then exceed that target”.