COP26 Global Day of Action event in Hull’s Trinity Square

Green groups in Hull will gather in Trinity Square between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 6 November, as tens of thousands march and rally in Glasgow and London.

Claire Gribben, Hull Friends of the Earth

Environmental campaigners are holding a day of action in Hull’s Trinity Square on Saturday 6 November.

As the world meets in Glasgow for the COP26 Global UN Climate Summit, towns and cities across the world are taking to the streets to demand global climate justice.

In Hull, green groups, faith groups and activists are gathering in Trinity Square between 10am and 2pm in support of the COP26 Coalition’s demand for urgent and meaningful action on climate at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow.

The local event, organised by Hull Friends of the Earth, aims to raise awareness of climate change and the need for immediate action based on fair and just solutions.

Stalls, information and activities will focus on raising awareness of the threats we face and reminding politicians of what is at stake. There will be details of what we can all do to help tackle our greatest challenge – securing a viable future for our planet, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

At 11.15am a flash mob of Rubbish Friends will tackle litter around Trinity Square.

At 12.00 noon the bells of Hull Minster will ring out, followed by a two-minute silence and 15 minutes of prayer for the planet.

Green groups taking part include The Shorelines Project, Rubbish Friends Hull, CycHull City, Transition and Permaculture Hull, Timebank Hull and East Riding, Gardens and Open Spaces Hull, Hull Trees, Fossil Free Yorkshire, Humane Being, Pickering Road Community Orchard and Hull Carbon Neutral.

It will be a relaxed and family-friendly event with lots of opportunity to discuss the effects of climate change and the solutions we need.

Claire Gribben, Coordinator of Hull Friends of the Earth, said: “This is a critical time and a last chance for our planet, its people and wildlife. In Hull we’re particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. But we’re also a city with a proud history of demanding justice – as exemplified by the likes of William Wilberforce and Lillian Bilocca. That’s why we’re standing in solidarity with people around the world to demand climate justice. We’ve already made progress with offshore wind energy and I want our city to be a global leader in making a just transition to tackle climate change.”

The Reverend Canon Dominic Black, Vicar and Lecturer of Hull Minster, said: “Over the summer we were delighted to host Luke Jerram’s Gaia the Earth exhibition. Thousands of people came through the doors to admire the stunning beauty of our green and blue planet. This precious gift is now under threat, the time to act is now, for our children and grandchildren and the rich ecosystem of plants and animals of which we are a part.”

Jonny Winn, Project Manager at DA Creative – Rights: Community: Action – The Shorelines Project, said: “Supporting Friends of the Earth on Saturday in collaboration with The Shorelines Project strengthens the message on climate change. This collaboration, along with city-wide art installations, will continue to provoke the debate on this crucial message. The ‘Time Is Now’ to make a change both locally and globally.”

Debbie Brooks of Rubbish Friends said: “We are delighted to be supporting Hull Friends of the Earth this Saturday and demonstrating one way how each of us can make a contribution every day in our own neighbourhood”.

Simultaneous satellite events are taking place in Glasgow, London, Nottingham, Chichester, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol, Oxford, Newcastle, Leeds, Truro, Swansea, Sheffield, Birmingham and Plymouth, while people will also be able to take part in actions at home.