Ross-shire MP accepts tree gift from rebels and calls for action on climate change; Extinction Rebellion creates Westminster 'forest' in symbolic gesture
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A ROSS-SHIRE MP has pledged to plant a tree left for him outside the Houses of Parliament by a protest group highlighting the role of forests in tackling climate change.
Extinction Rebellion, which has been leading protests in London, has left a "forest" of potted trees in the shape of the British Isles in Parliament Square in a symbolic gesture which it hopes will branch out across the country.
The group says global tree restoration is "one of the most effective climate change solutions to date".
It said: "We’ll write the name of a Minister or MP on each tree, and together we’ll ask that they come out to collect their tree, and use it as part of their contribution to the many billions of trees that need to follow!"
MP Jamie Stone, whose constituency includes Easter Ross, met with Extinction Rebellion representatives and collected a field maple.
He said: "
“A native tree for every MP is a brilliant way of highlighting the importance of the UK’s forests and I was delighted to collect my field maple. I shall be planting it in the constituency as a reminder of the need for mass change to address the climate emergency we are currently facing.
"Tree planting provides a natural solution to the climate crisis, but it must be done on a much larger scale. I hope that MPs from across the political parties join me in planting a tree and calling for action from the Government.
"We need to see the Tory Government take climate change seriously, declare a climate emergency and reverse the damaging policies they are putting in place which threaten the environment.”
