Extinction Rebellion (XR) Cambridge activists are blocking traffic on East Road, a major road in the city, at intervals every five minutes as part of a demonstration that began this morning (07/08) at 11:30 AM.

The protest is held to highlight the severity of climate change, and to urge policymakers to take urgent actions against it.

Protesters are carrying placards displaying warning messages on the impacts of extreme weather events like forest fires and floods, brought about by the unprecedented nature of contemporary climate change.

A protester commented: “Climate breakdown is real and is happening right now, all over the world. We can’t stop it, we can’t prevent death, but we can do whatever we can to minimise the amount of suffering. I am so desperate for our governments to act.”

Another demonstrator claims that the UK government “talks the talk” but that “Boris Johnson is lying to people - pretending everything is OK” when experts are pessimistic about the UK “achieving net zero [emissions] by the very late date of 2050”.

XR Cambridge expressed “regret [for] the disruption to motorists”, but argued that “the severity of the situation and the failure of politicians to act meant that it was essential to sound the alarm while there [is still] time”.

In May this year, XR Cambridge activists threw green paint over the Cambridge Labour Party’s headquarters following a decision by the councillors to reject support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill. The Bill seeks to increase political commitment to reducing carbon footprints and environmental impacts.

Last week (30/07), the group also held a demonstration in Milton against the construction of a gas pipeline which will runthrough the High Street to a site near Ely.