Green activists to unite in Cardiff ahead of historic Paris talks

In the run up to the vital COP21 talks being held in Paris, Cardiff Green Party activists will join like minded protesters from across South Wales this Saturday at the Wales Climate Action rally.

The rally will begin at 1.30pm in Callaghan Square in Cardiff, followed by a bike ride to the steps of the Senedd where Wales Green Party Leader Pippa Bartolotti will join other speakers addressing the crowds.

The Wales Green Party's South Wales Central list candidates Amelia Womack and Anthony Slaughter will also be attending.

Speaking about the COP21 summit, Anthony Slaughter said:

"We're being told that this will be the COP where the tokenism and greenwash of previous summits is over, and a serious agreement will finally be reached. But as the Green vote grows across Europe, it's easy to make the right noises on climate change. I hope our leaders will take our responsibility to future generations seriously this time, and agree that we must leave fossil fuel reserves in the ground.

"In the wake of Amber Rudd's mauling of the renewables industry, the next Welsh Government must fill the vacuum left by those essential subsidies. With strong Green voices in the Senedd, Wales could become the home of green technology in the UK, playing our part in leaving an environmental legacy to be proud of, and building stronger communities in the process.

"Sooner or later, governments will have no choice but to take action on climate change. Knowing what we know, to leave it until it's too late would simply be criminal."

Speaking head of the Cardiff rally, Amelia Womack said:

"Demonstrations around the globe will be taking place during the COP21 negotiations in Paris. It is clear that there is more public will power than ever to ensure that we remain within 2 degrees C of climate warming - I hope we can turn this into political will power.

"I am proud to be taking part in Wales Climate Action and to stand alongside so many people working to build a better Wales and a better world. These demonstrations and the COP negotiations will be a step on the road to a decarbonised future; by getting as many people involved as possible we can show that climate needs to be at the top of the agenda in the Senedd, Westminster, and Brussels."