A DAY of action saw climate activists and supporters take to the streets of Dorset.

Dressed in protective hazard suits and breathing masks, demonstrators in the Extinction Rebellion-led event marched into Victoria Square on Portland yesterday where banners had been erected as well as a yacht bearing slogans such as ‘Act Now’.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) has three demands: for governments to ‘tell the truth’ about the urgency of climate change; for urgent action to be taken; and for decisions about climate change to be led by a ‘citizens assembly’, rather than the government.

Around 70 people joined the Portland protest, including schoolchildren – some of whom had walked across the causeway and arrived to huge cheers from the crowds. There was strong support from passing vehicles with drivers beeping their horns as they drove past. The campaigners were not seen to be blocking roads during the demonstration.

Lynne Crowe, at the Portland march, said: “We have got a very short time left – that’s why I’m here – for my grandchildren.”

Madelene Goodey said she has been concerned about climate change for decades. “I want to put pressure on the powers that be to stop producing so much plastic. I’m also very concerned about emissions levels.”

Jason West of the Weyforward group helped XR organisers set up the demonstration and described the moment a group of school pupils joined the action. “I’m really glad to say that a group of students strode over to Portland and joined the protest – they received a rapturous reception from everyone present.” he said.

“We need more students in more schools to start to take action, as Greta Thunberg has said, “If a few children can get headlines all over the world just by not going to school, imagine what we could all do together if we really wanted to.”

Other demonstrations were held in Dorchester and Bridport. In Bridport, students from the Colfox School Strike 4 Climate group, said they were trying to raise awareness and make a ‘small difference’ to the lives of local people.

A spokesman for the group said: “We were inspired by the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, and decided to participate in the Fridays For Future school climate strike campaign. We are also striking in co-ordination with the Bridport Friends of the Earth. We just want people to consider their actions with climate change and the environment in mind.”

AT THE Dorchester protest, Philip Marfleet was advocating for investment into public transport and green buses. “The scientific evidence of climate change is compelling”, he said.

“We want the council to stop giving out permits for fossil fuels and take every opportunity to use renewable energy sources. We can do that, the science is there. It just depends on whether the council is willing to do that.

“It is so nice to see so many young people here today.”

One of the organisers from XR Dorset, a man who only identified himself as ‘Scott’, called for more action from Dorset Council following its declaration of a climate emergency.

“We have known about this for a long time and they are still doing nothing,” he claimed. We have to do something now. We have to act.”

He added: “It’s great to see so many people out here supporting this movement.”

Local climate activist Lynne Hubbard said: “We are calling on Dorset Council to act now. These are our elected representatives and if they can’t represent us then need to stand aside and listen to the will of the people.

“Please sign up because this won’t be our last protest. We can fight for the future generations.

“There is no planet ‘B’, it is a miracle that planet ‘A’ is so perfect. We have to save it for ourselves and future generations.”

AT THE Dorchester protest, Philip Marfleet was advocating for investment into public transport and green buses. “The scientific evidence of climate change is compelling", he said.

"We want the council to stop giving out permits for fossil fuels and take every opportunity to use renewable energy sources. We can do that, the science is there. It just depends on whether the council is willing to do that.

"It is so nice to see so many young people here today."

One of the organisers from XR Dorset, a man who only identified himself as 'Scott', called for more action from Dorset Council following its declaration of a climate emergency.

“We have known about this for a long time and they are still doing nothing," he claimed. We have to do something now. We have to act."

He added: "It’s great to see so many people out here supporting this movement."

Local climate activist Lynne Hubbard said: “We are calling on Dorset Council to act now. These are our elected representatives and if they can’t represent us then need to stand aside and listen to the will of the people.

"Please sign up because this won’t be our last protest. We can fight for the future generations.

"There is no planet ‘B’, it is a miracle that planet ‘A’ is so perfect. We have to save it for ourselves and future generations."