Huge crowds gather to urge their representatives for decisive climate change action | Environmental activism gains momentum

More than 5,000 people from across the UK gathered in Westminster on Wednesday to meet with their MPs and demand urgent action on climate change to protect their communities. The mass lobby, one of the largest to date, included constituents such as parents, pensioners, doctors, teachers, farmers, and youth campaigners, who planned to lobby at least 500 MPs, approximately 80% of the total. Before the event, a giant image with the message “89% of people want climate action” was projected onto the white cliffs of Dover, highlighting the often silent majority who support stronger climate action but mistakenly believe that few others share their views. The event was organized by the Climate Coalition, a network of over 120 UK organizations representing more than 22 million people. Participants urged MPs to ensure a green future by lowering energy bills, creating jobs, and aiding communities most affected by climate change. New polling data confirmed the prevalence of a “climate silent majority,” with a significant number of British people supporting net-zero targets but only a small fraction actively discussing climate issues. Helen Meech, executive director of the Climate Coalition, emphasized the importance of these democratic actions for climate and nature, while Charlotte Howell from Parents for Future underscored the critical nature of climate action for parents seeking to safeguard their children’s future. The lobby received support from numerous public figures and celebrities, including authors and actors, highlighting the broad public mandate for climate action. Despite the strong public support, a Climate Barometer survey revealed that only one in 10 British individuals regularly express their views on climate change, suggesting a significant perception gap regarding public sentiments. Dr. Niall McLoughlin from Climate Barometer noted that addressing this “spiral of silence” is crucial for advancing climate action and encouraged open discussions to reveal the true extent of public support. Additional survey findings from 13 countries also showed a strong preference among the global population for political candidates who prioritize taxing polluting companies and the super-rich, who bear disproportionately large carbon footprints.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/09/thousands-meet-their-mps-to-show-huge-demand-for-climate-action