COP26: SCIAF calls on Boris Johnson to stop 'runaway climate change'

Thousands have signed the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s COP26 petition calling on the Prime Minister to take action to tackle “runaway climate change”.

More than 4000 people have supported the charity’s call ahead of the UN conference in just two weeks’ time.

On Monday, representatives from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths gathered at Downing Street and asked for urgent action.

SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) asked the UK Government to protect the poorest communities most impacted by climate change, to make sure world leaders commit to keeping global temperature rises below the “disastrous” 1.5C threshold, and to listen to those on the frontline of the crisis.

A campaigner dressed as Boris Johnson races against a 'clock'. — A campaigner dressed as Boris Johnson races against a ‘clock’. SCIAF

Geraldine Hill, advocacy manager at SCIAF said: “The voices of over 4000 Scots has been delivered today to the Prime Minister, joining in a chorus of tens of thousands calling for action from around the UK.

“The poorest communities in the world have been hit hardest by the climate emergency. SCIAF’s supporters have made their voices heard and expectations are now on Boris Johnson and world leaders to take action in Glasgow.

“We’re calling for communities to be given financial support to adapt and recover from climate change, for those on the frontline of the climate emergency to be listened to, and for global warming to be stopped in its tracks.”

SCIAF launched its COP26 campaign earlier this summer, with a campaigner dressed as Boris Johnson race against time in front of the SEC, which will host the event.

Young SCIAF supporter Olivia McKibbin helped launch the petition.

She said: “If our leaders don’t take urgent action on climate change then nothing else matters. The things that our governments deem important now will be worthless when we cannot breathe the air that’s around us.”