ENVIRONMENTAL protestors gathered on Friday, the day of the result of the general election, to urge the Government to tackle climate change.

Extinction Rebellion organised a demonstration in Malvern on the roundabout at the junction of Worcester Road and Townsend Way during the evening rush hour, and said drivers were largely supportive.

A spokeswoman for the Malvern cohort of Extinction Rebellion, said: “We were encouraged by the amount of drivers giving us the thumbs-up.

“We have received positive messages on social media and I’m pleased with the group turning out on what was a cold day.

“I think the vast majority of people are on our side.

“This was not a disruptive protest, so we did not block any traffic and kept off the road.

“We are not party political and we engaged with all the parties who were running in the general election and were dismayed at the Conservatives’ lack of response.

“This government is the last one in the UK with the chance to reduce carbon emissions before we lock ourselves into runaway climate breakdown.

“Boris Johnson has a grave responsibility as Prime Minister to act now and protect our children’s future from ecological and climate collapse.

“Scientists tell us we are facing a climate emergency, so it’s time for the Prime Minister to step up and show bold leadership before it’s too late.

“I’m terrified for my daughter’s future.”

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member for the environment at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Protecting the environment is a key part of our corporate plan, Shaping Worcestershire’s Future.

"We coordinated the development and launch of the Worcestershire LEP Energy Strategy last year, and we are working hard alongside our partners at the WLEP to reach our shared target of halving Worcestershire's CO2 emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 with an aspiration of net zero by 2040.  

"We continue to bid for funding and run a range of externally funded projects: free advice and grants for business energy efficiency  and renewables, low and zero carbon product development, advice and grants for organisations and small businesses to enable biodiversity improvement across the county including tree planting.

"We will be launching a further grant programme for energy efficiency and renewables in Worcestershire public sector organisations to run until 2022.”

In September, Extinction Rebellion Worcester brought the city to a standstill by blocking traffic while chanting and waving banners, to a mixed response from commuters stuck in traffic.

Some drivers honked their horns in support while others revved their car engines in frustration, pointing out all the pollution caused as a result of cars being at a stand still.

In October, they held a 15-minute ‘die-in’ - in which protesters simulated being dead - outside the Guildhall in the city’s High Street to raise awareness of the climate emergency and against what it called the threat to their right to protest.

The spokeswoman would not reveal to the Worcester News any details of further planned protests so as not to give authorities a “heads-up”, and said they want to pressure Worcestershire County Council to declare a “meaningful climate change emergency”.

The Malvern demonstration started around 4pm and lasted for three hours, involving two shift changes.

Extinction Rebellion was founded by Roger Hallam and Gail Bradbrook in 2018.

An hourglass inside a circle, known as the extinction symbol, is used to serve as a warning that time is running out for many species, including humans and their motto is “rebel for life”.

Celebrities have spoken out with their support when action has been taking around the world, including Greta Thunberg, NASA scientist James Hansen and actress Emma Thompson.