Climate change rally in Leeds this weekend to demonstrate against energy company profits and cost-of-living crisis

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A huge rally is set to be held in Leeds city centre this weekend in demonstrate against the government’s response to climate change, the cost of living crisis and the soaring profits made by energy companies.

The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Justice Coalition is holding the Rally for Climate Justice this Saturday, November 5, from midday to 2pm on Briggate.

The coalition includes climate groups, trade unionists, and faith, community and youth groups from across the region that are united in their call for climate justice.

Ellen Robottom for the coalition, said: “The climate crisis threatens everyone. Just in the last few months we have seen deadly climate famines in East Africa, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, crop failures in Britain, and heatwaves and fires across Europe and the United States.

A previous protest in Leeds over climate change, held in 2019

“All this is topped off by the current energy crisis as millions are unable to afford to heat their homes this winter and are skipping meals to try to make ends meet.

“Under the guise of ‘energy security’ the government is handing massive tax breaks to energy corporations to pump more oil and gas, knowing that we should be doing just the opposite to slash emissions.

"Renewables such as wind and solar are many times cheaper and quicker to develop than new fossil fuels, yet our bills are tied to the price of gas on the global market.”

This month world leaders are meeting in Egypt for the global climate talks - COP27.

Ellen Robottom for the coalition, said: “We all know that we need to transition to renewable energy. We all know we can tackle the cost of energy by insulating people’s homes to cut bills permanently. We also know that this will create millions of skilled and well-paid jobs; as will creating an affordable, efficient public transport system.

"But instead, our government continues to give massive hand-outs to Shell, BP and the other oil giants.

"The actions to fight the climate crisis are the actions that will fight the cost-of-living crisis!”

On Saturday, November 12, a Global Day of Action will be held that will see members of the Yorkshire coalition join groups from across the region for a demonstration in Sheffield.