The BBC nature presenter Chris Packham has joined tons 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 vital nature-depleted nations on the earth”, organisers stated. It was deliberate to coincide carefully with Earth Day on 22 April.
Ranging from the Percy Centre on New King Avenue, “mourners” on the Funeral for Nature procession made their option to Bathtub Abbey.
Packham, who delivered a eulogy on the protest, stated he and fellow “mourners” have been there to “scare individuals a bit” in regards to the state of the pure world, and the “anarchy” we could 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 may be 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, carrying purple outfits and white face paint, are a part of a global troupe whose members protest by efficiency artwork items.
Saturday’s procession of 400 Pink Rebels was the most important gathering thus far, 5 occasions greater than ever earlier than, organisers stated. A whole bunch of “mourners” additionally attended, wearing black.
On the Code Pink for Nature web site, which gave details about the occasion, individuals have been instructed to come back wearing black, together with sneakers.
Steering on the web page additionally urged individuals 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 stated: “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 may be very a lot a part of the technique.”
In a speech, Packham stated a number of the UK’s wildlife and habitats have been in a “final stand state of affairs” and urged individuals 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 combat 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 now have “sustainable ecosystems sooner or later” as a way 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 received 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 chicken species have been in decline and 97% of wildflower meadows have disappeared because the second world battle. 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 are actually one of the vital nature-depleted nations 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.”
