Green campaigners from around the world set off today from Northern Ireland on what is believed to be the UK's longest protest march to call for action on climate change.
Walkers set out on a 1,000-mile trek taking in 70 towns and cities before finishing at the London Stock Exchange in 11 weeks time. An estimated 50,000 people are expected to join the walkers at different points, gathering signatures for a petition calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to bring in a new law forcing companies to reveal their carbon dioxide emissions. The petition also calls for a new United Nations climate agreement to replace Kyoto to be negotiated at a leaders gathering in Bali, Indonesia in December. The march is organised by Christian Aid which believes climate change threatens catastrophe in the developing world. Eighteen core walkers who will walk the entire 1,000 route come from countries where Christian Aid is working to help people adapt to a changed climate including Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil and Tajikistan. They will speak along the way about the impact of global warming in their home countries and urge members of the public to cut their own carbon footprint. They paraded around Bangor, Co Down after a religious service before heading to the Marina where they boarded a boat - sail powered - bound for Troon in Ayrshire and the long walk to London. Christian Aid is also planning to tie together a 1,000 mile "shoelace petition" asking people to sent in old shoe laces and receive replacements bearing the campaign logo. Paul Brannen, head of campaigns at the charity said: "Poor people in the least developed countries are already dying as a result of floods, droughts and conflict over already scares resources, such as water, that are becoming scarcer as the planet heats up. "They need our help to tackle climate change by reducing emissions, through individual action and by putting pressure on the UK government to pursue climate-friendly national and international policies." Christian Aid said its campaign is being backed by celebrities including singers Lemar and Amy Macdonald and actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Katie Leung.
PA