Wester Ross wildlife ambassador (12) attends 50th strike for climate change; Ullapool activist sends 'clear message' on need for action
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AN environmental champion in Wester Ross attended his 50th strike for climate change as part of a global campaign.
Wildlife ambassador Finlay Pringle (12) from Ullapool braved the cold with friends and family attending the local climate strike in front of Ullapool Primary School as part of the Fridays For Future international movement.
Finlay has been striking each Friday before school to call leaders to action for the environment.
He said: "It doesn't feel like commitment at all to me, it's just the right thing to do and if we don't act now, then we have a pretty dire future in front of us.
"So far it has mostly been empty words from the government and we demand that they take action now and that they start taking the climate crisis seriously.
"The focus now is mainly on tree planting and solutions on the land but very little attention is given to the ocean, which does more than the Amazon and the rainforest in terms of carbon absorption and it needs to be at the centre of the discussion.
"Next year is going to be incredibly important for animal protection, there will be five UN conferences on different aspects of the environmental challenge such as the oceans, biodiversity and the climate."
In a video shared on his social media pages under the name of Ullapool Shark Ambassador, he said: "I am striking today to send a clear signal to the world leaders that the youth of the planet are watching and expect concrete action to tackle the climate and ecological crisis."
The global strike comes a week before the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25, which will be held in Madrid next week, and in full electoral atmosphere with the General election only two weeks away.
Finlay was named Young Animal Hero of the Year at the Mirror Animal Hero Awards earlier this year for his efforts in raising awareness on animal protection and his campaigning activities, being hailed a hero by naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham and praised by environmental icon Greta Thunberg.
