Activists plan to block a busy Sheffield road during rush hour to raise awareness of the current ‘climate crisis’.
A group called ‘Extinction Rebellion Sheffield’ says it intends to obstruct traffic on Sheaf Street outside Sheffield station for short periods on Tuesday morning from 8am.
Members of the group argue that Sheffield council should be doing more in order to tackle climate change. The group have sought to target the most polluted parts of the city in order to make their point. Throughout the protest, the members will aim to discuss the causes and consequences of climate change with the drivers as time appears to be limited and change needs to happen now.
Dr Bing Jones said: “The young have taken the trouble to leave school and break the rules to point out that their parents’ generation is spending their birthright just to remain comfortable. We need to block the traffic to raise awareness and force the government to act.”
The protest is due to take place days after hundreds of schoolchildren skipped lessons to gather in Sheffield city centre for the latest strike demanding action to save the planet.
Sheffield station was recently named by Friends of the Earth as one of Britain’s 10 most polluted spots outside London. Average levels of the harmful gas nitrogen dioxide around platforms 3A and 2B were recorded at nearly twice the legal limit.
Organisers said: “This will cause delays but allow the traffic to keep moving. We apologise for the inconvenience to drivers, but this is nothing compared to the climate catastrophe that is our children’s current future. Unfortunately, the Council is continuing to spend millions on widening the ring road which will bring thousands more cars into the city centre every day. With toxic air pollution from traffic above legal limits across Sheffield and carbon emissions from manufacturing and private vehicles causing dangerous climate breakdown, we urgently need to change course and cut emissions fast.
“We’d like to apologise for the disruption this will cause and invite you to come and down and talk to us about why we believe it is necessary.”
More information found at facebook.com/Extinction-Rebellion-Sheffield-
