Extinction Rebellion, the radical environmental lobby group, took its campaign to the IMO headquarters in London this morning to urge shipping regulators to take quick action on climate change.
The green group, known for its mass demonstrations that have caused traffic chaos in central London this spring, timed its demonstration to coincide with the start of high level environmental talks on reducing global emissions.
It was a peaceful protest with campaigners raising placards to live music as they attempted to get their message across that shipping needs to take action in its carbon emissions.
Artist and campaigner David Miles said: “I think a take away from this is that creativity and performance can make maximum impact with minimum effort.
"We got a lot of thumbs up from delegates.”
Campaign leader Paulo Enoch said: “We know they (the IMO) have, on the table, concrete and reasonable proposals on putting a cap on speed.
"What we would like to see is effective binding regulation of emissions, and recognition that the planet is in an emergency, and that shipping needs to be regulated and take responsibility.
"As an industry shipping seems to slip between nation states but we need to get a grip.”
Enoch added that the Extinction Rebellion would be keeping a close watch on progress at the IMO from now on.
“The idea is to say to the IMO you’ve been under the radar, but we are watching you now, you are visible and we want to see action,” he added.
On an upbeat note artist Miles added: “I know the solution to the climate crisis will be happier human beings who don’t rush around thinking happiness lies on the other side of the planet and that they use their own imagination and resources in the places that they are.”
