Frustrated with climate talks, activists dump manure outside Madrid summit
A child touches one of the badges of a climate change activist of Extinction Rebellion dressed as Santa Claus as they take part in a performance in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
MADRID (Reuters) - Green activists dumped horse manure and staged a mock hanging outside the venue of a U.N. climate summit in Madrid on Saturday, airing their frustration at the failure of world leaders to take meaningful action against global warming.
Led by grassroots group Extinction Rebellion, the actions were timed to coincide with the closing of the COP25 summit, where negotiators have been unable to agree on how to implement the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Climate change activists of Extinction Rebellion hold banners after unloading a truck filled with horse excrements in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
"Just like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic, this COP’s fiddling of carbon accounting and negotiating of Article 6 is not commensurate to the planetary emergency we face," Extinction Rebellion said in a statement.
Twelve members of the group stood on melting blocks of ice, nooses drawn tight around their necks to symbolise the 12 months remaining until the next summit, when the Paris deal enters a make-or-break implementation phase.
Attached to the pile of manure was a short message to leaders saying "the horseshit stops here."
Climate change activists of Extinction Rebellion unload a truck filled with horse excrements, in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
In contrast to a protest held last weekend, in which hundreds of demonstrators blocked one of Madrid's central shopping streets for a mass disco-dance, the mood at the gathering was subdued.
"Even if they reach an agreement it's still not enough. This is the 25th COP they've had and nothing has really changed," protester Emma Deane told Reuters from her perch atop an ice block, holding her young daughter in her arms.
"She's going to grow up in a world where there's no food on the shelves and that breaks my heart."
A climate change activist of Extinction Rebellion, dressed as Santa Claus, takes part in a performance in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Still, Extinction Rebellion spokesman Ronan McNern stressed the importance of humour in the face of the climate crisis.
"Out of shit comes the best roses. We hope that the international community comes together to create a beautiful future," McNern said.
A climate change activist of Extinction Rebellion participates in a performance in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
(Reporting by Elena Rodriguez, Michael Gore and Naco Doce; Writing by Nathan Allen; Editing by David Holmes)
Climate change activists of Extinction Rebellion take part in a performance in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho DoceBadges are seen on the jacket of a climate change activist of Extinction Rebellion dressed as Santa Claus during a performance in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho DoceClimate change activists of Extinction Rebellion unload a truck filled with horse excrements, in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho DoceClimate change activists of Extinction Rebellion hold a banner after unloading a truck filled with horse excrements in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho DoceClimate change activists of Extinction Rebellion unload a truck filled with horse excrements, in front of U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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