Local mothers rise up against climate change

Friday 10 May 2019

Local mothers, who are campaigning to make the world a better place for their children, will tomorrow march through town to urge others to join the fight against climate change.

Newly-formed group 'Mothers Rise Up Jersey' is inviting all islanders to take part in the march from West's Centre to the Royal Square starting at 12:00 tomorrow.

Once the group arrive in the Royal Square, there will be a number of speeches from speakers including local environmentalists Jacqui Carrel and Nigel Jones and young people who took part in the 'FridaysForFuture' protests about the challenges facing the environment.

Led by Louisa and Martin Coxshall, Mothers Rise Up Jersey aims is to raise awareness and encourage islanders to make little adjustments to their lifestyles - such as through the food they consume and transport methods they use - to drive positive change.

They also say that they want to disprove stereotypes and rule out the perception that "the problem belongs to 'hippies and protestors'".

Describing the march, they said: "This is for the mother who knows climate change is personal. This is for the mother who may have never marched before, but whose feet are already moving. This is for the mother who can't hold her children tight enough when she thinks of their future; for the mother who has had enough of feeling helpless and overwhelmed at the enormity of the climate change challenge.

"It's time to turn words into action, show solidarity over the cause and continue to raise awareness. This is your march!"

Speaking about who can take part in Saturday's march, they added: "We welcome anyone who is moved by love for a child and by love for our planet to protest: grandmothers, aunties, child-minders, friends; those yet to have children, those who can’t and those who have chosen not to. Equally, we welcome the support of fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and friends. We all make a difference. We are all custodians of our threatened home."

This march comes after Deputy Rob Ward secured an environmental 'win' in the States Assembly last week, having convinced politicians to vote in favour of declaring a 'climate change emergency' in Jersey.

The Environment Minister, Deputy John Young, will now have to come up with an action plan on how to tackle the issue of global warming and make Jersey carbon neutral by 2030.