The BBC nature presenter Chris Packham has joined lots of of environmental activists in a mock funeral procession for nature to highlight biodiversity loss within the UK.
The procession aimed to sound “code purple for nature” and spotlight the UK’s place as “one of the nature-depleted international locations on this planet”, organisers stated. 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 approach to Tub Abbey.
Packham, who delivered a eulogy on the protest, stated he and fellow “mourners” have been there to “scare individuals a bit” concerning 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 stated: “Biodiversity collapse is accelerating worldwide, however there’s another.
“If the political will existed we may restore nature at panorama scale. We should restore nature now.”
Members of the Crimson Insurgent Brigade, sporting purple outfits and white face paint, are a part of a world troupe whose members protest via efficiency artwork items.
Saturday’s procession of 400 Crimson Rebels was the most important gathering to date, 5 instances greater than ever earlier than, organisers stated. A whole bunch of “mourners” additionally attended, wearing black.
On the Code Crimson for Nature web site, which gave details about the occasion, individuals have been informed to return wearing black, together with footwear.
Steering on the web page additionally urged individuals to not carry banners or placards as a result of the “visible look” of the procession is “a part of the technique” of serving to to lift consciousness.
It stated: “Please come dressed fully in black, together with footwear … No banners or placards please. This won’t be a protest. The uniform visible look may be very a lot a part of the technique.”
In a speech, Packham stated a few of the UK’s wildlife and habitats have been in a “final stand scenario” and urged individuals to “act extra forthrightly and boldly, bravely, now” in calling for the federal government to close down fossil fuels and transition quicker to renewable power.
“It’s time to battle for nature,” he stated. “I assume we’re right here to say to individuals: do you actually wish to wait till you’re attending the actual funeral for nature, as a result of it’s coming quick.”
Packham stated that the UK wanted to “tackle our biodiversity” and guarantee we’ve got “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, get better, restore and reintroduce nature. We do however we’ve simply obtained to get on with it … I assume we’re right here to scare individuals a bit.”
Organisers cited the 2023 State of Nature report on the UK’s biodiversity, which discovered that 43% of UK hen species have been in decline and 97% of wildflower meadows have disappeared for the reason that second world warfare. They warned we’re “getting 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, stated: “The intention is to ship a strong SOS message for nature by creating a visible spectacle that can 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 nature-depleted international locations on this planet merely isn’t being talked about sufficient.
“We wish 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.”