Huddersfield Friends of the Earth

Samba music and dancing shares ‘Don’t frack our future’ message in Huddersfield town centre

Frack Free Mexican wave

People from across Huddersfield took part in a ‘Frack-Free Fiesta’ in the town centre on Saturday 14 October to tell the Secretary of State, Greg Clark MP, to say no to fracking, as part of Friends of the Earth’s Global Day of Action on Climate. The campaigners joined local band Slick Stick Sambastic on the streets and celebrated Scotland’s recent ban on fracking as well as undertaking a ‘Frack-Free’ Mexican Wave as part of the action. From New York to Nairobi, and from Blackpool to Budapest, people around the world took  to the streets on 14 October to call for more action on climate change.

In the UK, people across the country are coming together to say no to fracking for the sake of our climate. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is the process of pumping a high-pressure mixture of chemicals and water into shale rock, ‘fracturing’ it to release gas. Fracking poses risks for our climate and our environment and support for the controversial process is the lowest it has ever been, according to the government’s own recent polling.

Lesley Hawthorn of Huddersfield Friends of the Earth said:

“Across the globe, people are taking to the streets today to protect the people and places they love from climate change. That’s why we’ve come to Huddersfield to tell the government: don’t frack our future.

“Recently we’ve seen hurricanes destroy lives in the Caribbean and North America. Storms are getting stronger and more common, droughts and heatwaves are getting more extreme. Stopping climate change isn’t just about the future, it’s about protecting lives around the world right now.

“But it’s not too late to turn things around. In the UK we need to end coal, skip fracking and go straight to renewable energy. It’s time Greg Clark says no to all applications to fracking consent to protect our climate, our environment and our future.”

Highlighting Barclays continued role in funding fracking in Yorkshire

Notes

Write to Greg Clark MP asking him to follow Scotland’s lead and say NO to fracking: https://act.foe.co.uk/act/stop-fracking-ask-energy-secretary-refuse-fracking

1. Government figures show that support for fracking has decreased over the last year, from 21% to its lowest ever level of just 16%: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/634723/pat-wave-22-summary-report.pdf
2. About Friends of the Earth: For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk, follow us at @wwwfoecouk, or like our Facebook page.