Biggest climate march since cop26
Saturday was the biggest climate march in Glasgow since the UN climate talks in 2021!
Thousands of people marched behind a banner reading “a better world is possible” with demonstrators calling for global solidarity, a fair transition away from fossil fuels and increased care for our planet.
It was a huge success thanks to countless hours of organising, flyering and persuading people to attend. Groups working across environmental justice, migrant rights and Palestine solidarity organised the March and subsequent rally on Glasgow Green. Those individuals and organisers demonstrated the power of working together.
Click on the image above to scroll through photos from the day
Marchers gathered from 11am – coalescing into themed blocs depending on what had brought them along. These included a youth bloc, nature bloc, Quakers, Extinction Rebellion, Pride bloc and those marching in solidarity with Palestine.
The sun was shining brightly as we set off through the city centre stopping traffic wherever we went and turning heads with the broad array of placards, chants and issues represented.
People care about climate breakdown
The march was an opportunity to show that we are stronger when we work alongside each other. People recognise that the challenges our communities face from Glasgow to Palestine to the Amazon are deeply connected. The same systems that devalue life, destroy our environment and prioritise profit above all else are harming people everywhere.
Saturday showed, as opinion polls repeatedly do, that public concern about climate breakdown remains really high and people want to see action from politicians.
The arrival of the Brass, Aye band for the last leg of the march saw the huge crowd enter Glasgow Green on a carnival feeling. Once people had a warming drink and some tasty dahl, the speeches and performance got underway.
Climate action will change lives for the better
The rally included speakers representing local transport campaigners, national anti-poverty groups and trade unions all reinforcing the point that positive climate action will improve people’s lives in Scotland.
The crowd heard how ensuring that every home is warm and well insulated will cut bills, improve health and create decent jobs in every corner of the country. Bus services that are reliable and affordable will enable everyone – not just households with a car – to access work, social and educational opportunities.
The necessary move away from fossil fuels is a chance to build an energy system that runs in the public interest, that keeps decent unionised jobs in Scotland and is affordable to everyone.
The audience also heard from Palestine solidarity groups who called out the fossil fuel giant Dana Petroleum’s agreement within the Israeli Government to drill for gas in Palestinian waters. This is an awful development which highlights the complete lack of concern for people or planet that some corporations are allowed to display.
Global solidarity from Palestine to Sudan
Migrant justice campaigners described how they got involved in this march because we must stand together against the deepening hostile environment, far right violence, and the erosion of climate action. They reflected on how the day showed that, even in these challenging and dangerous times, our communities are stronger, more beautiful, and more powerful when we come together.
That same sense of community and hope was reflected in the the beautiful singing of Queer Voices Glasgow, who led the crowd in a song with the refrain ‘I believe that one fine day the power of love will rise above the love of power’. And the rally ended on an energetic note with a couple of ceilidh dances, led by Rogue Ceilidh.
We proved that there is huge energy for the positive transformation we need to tackle the climate crisis. We marched, chanted, sang, listened and learned together.
People came along in support of Palestine, in support of migrants, to protect the places and wildlife we love and to demand a real transition plan for workers and communities as we move away from fossil fuels.
Saturday showed that we are stronger when we connect our issues and demand justice alongside each other. Together we showed up for the better world we need.