The BBC nature presenter Chris Packham has joined a whole bunch of environmental activists in a mock funeral procession for nature to highlight biodiversity loss within the UK.
The procession aimed to sound “code crimson for nature” and spotlight the UK’s place as “one of the vital nature-depleted international locations on the earth”, organisers mentioned. It was deliberate to coincide intently with Earth Day on 22 April.
Ranging from the Percy Centre on New King Road, “mourners” on the Funeral for Nature procession made their solution to Bathtub Abbey.
Packham, who delivered a eulogy on the protest, mentioned he and fellow “mourners” have been there to “scare folks a bit” in regards to the state of the pure world, and the “anarchy” we might face if we proceed on this path.
Earlier than the procession, he uploaded a photograph to X of himself and wildlife TV presenter Megan McCubbin wearing black. Packham mentioned: “Biodiversity collapse is accelerating worldwide, however there’s an alternate.
“If the political will existed we may restore nature at panorama scale. We should restore nature now.”
Members of the Pink Insurgent Brigade, sporting crimson outfits and white face paint, are a part of a global troupe whose members protest via efficiency artwork items.
Saturday’s procession of 400 Pink Rebels was the biggest gathering up to now, 5 instances greater than ever earlier than, organisers mentioned. Tons of of “mourners” additionally attended, wearing black.
On the Code Pink for Nature web site, which gave details about the occasion, folks have been instructed to come back wearing black, together with sneakers.
Steering on the web page additionally urged folks to not deliver banners or placards as a result of the “visible look” of the procession is “a part of the technique” of serving to to boost consciousness.
It mentioned: “Please come dressed fully in black, together with footwear … No banners or placards please. This is not going to be a protest. The uniform visible look could be very a lot a part of the technique.”
In a speech, Packham mentioned a number of the UK’s wildlife and habitats have been in a “final stand scenario” and urged folks to “act extra forthrightly and boldly, bravely, now” in calling for the federal government to close down fossil fuels and transition sooner to renewable power.
“It’s time to battle for nature,” he mentioned. “I assume we’re right here to say to folks: do you actually need to wait till you’re attending the actual funeral for nature, as a result of it’s coming quick.”
Packham mentioned that the UK wanted to “handle our biodiversity” and guarantee now we have “sustainable ecosystems sooner or later” so as to keep away from “anarchy”.
He added: “It’s not like we don’t have a toolkit to revive, recuperate, restore and reintroduce nature. We do however we’ve simply acquired to get on with it … I assume we’re right here to scare folks a bit.”
Organisers cited the 2023 State of Nature report on the UK’s biodiversity, which discovered that 43% of UK fowl species have been in decline and 97% of wildflower meadows have disappeared because the second world conflict. They warned we’re “coming into the sixth mass extinction occasion”.
Orders of service have been additionally handed out to onlookers and contained details about nature’s decline.
Rob Delius, one of many organisers, mentioned: “The intention is to ship a strong SOS message for nature by creating a visible spectacle that may in equal measures shock and encourage onlookers.
“The UK has sleepwalked into this nature disaster and the truth that we at the moment are one of the vital nature-depleted international locations on the earth merely isn’t being talked about sufficient.
“We would like the processions to create a speaking level and for the general public to be moved to demand that the federal government, native authorities, landowners and companies urgently do extra to revive biodiversity.”
