Extinction Rebellion protestors in Oswestry stage 'die-in'

The action took place on Saturday in two Oswestry town locations, representing the death of the planet and plants and animals on it.

Extinction Rebellion Oswestry and Borders member Michael Bastow said: "Alarm bells are going off at an increasing rate and we are not responding to them in any meaningful way right now.

"Animals and plants are bearing the brunt of our activities. As well as relatively rapid temperature rises in the UK and globally, they cannot survive increasing pesticide use and habitat destruction.

"The cost to this generation of avoiding these catastrophes is tiny compared to the cost to our children in responding to them. With the die-in we want to raise awareness that this is real and it’s on our doorstep. We can’t pass it on to a neighbour or our children to deal with, we have to do something and do it now.

"The biggest changes will come from government and we can influence that. If they know that not legislating for a move to 100 per cent renewable energy supplies will make them unpopular then they will change. Suggestions include writing to your MP, signing petitions and supporting the many organisations that are lobbying for change.

"Individually we can also live our lives in a way that helps. Its down to each of us individually but possible changes include using green energy utility companies, buying less, buying things that last longer, reusing what we have plus eating more organic, locally grown produce. There’s plenty more suggestions online.

"If people want to learn more about Extinction Rebellion then look them up on the Facebook group Extinction Rebellion Oswestry and Borders. They meet weekly and are always looking for new ideas and support."

Extinction Rebellion are a UK-founded citizen-led response to the accelerating problem of increasing earth temperatures and disappearances of species in the UK and globally. They are drawing attention to the science-backed need for immediate action and lack of response.