News
Emma Snaith
Apr 29, 2019
Weeks after millions took part in school climate strikes and Extinction Rebellion brought London to a standstill, Nicola Sturgeon has declared a climate emergency.
The Scottish first minister made the announcement in her keynote speech to the SNP's spring conference in Edinburgh on Sunday.
Sturgeon said meetings with climate strike activists inspired her and pledged to speed up efforts to reach zero carbon emissions.
It came on the same weekend Labour announced they would force a Commons vote on declaring a climate emergency and the fracking tsar quit after six months in the job.
Sturgeon’s announcement was welcomed by many on the internet.
But some people questioned Sturgeon’s credibility, given the SNP’s continued support for new North Sea oil and gas explorations.
While others asked when Theresa May would follow suit and declare a climate emergency.
Reminds us of that time May didn't turn up to a certain meeting with Greta Thunberg...
In her speech announcing a climate emergency, Sturgeon said:
A few weeks ago, I met some of the young climate change campaigners who've gone on strike from school to raise awareness of their cause.
They want governments around the world to declare a climate emergency. They say that's what the science tells us. And they are right.
So today, as first minister of Scotland, I am declaring that there is a climate emergency. And Scotland will live up to our responsibility to tackle it.
More: Extinction rebellion: London air quality improves since extinction change protests began, says study
More: Climate expert debunks Britain's claim to be world leader on green issues
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