17th September 2023: Mother’s Rebellion (London HXR)
On Sunday 17th September, 2023 HXR professionals joined 100 passionate and caring mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sons, sisters, fathers, grandfathers and caregivers gathered in a non-violent public protest forming a circle outside the Science Museum to fight for a better world for our children and the children suffering from climate breakdown all over the world. The action was part of the global Mothers* Rebellion for Climate Justice week of action with circles in 25 countries across 6 continents. In the UK alone circles were formed in 12 places.[01]
As healthcare professionals it is our duty to identify and act on risks to children. The impact of the climate and ecological crisis is a safeguarding issue for an entire generation. Currently 85% of the burden of climate health impacts is falling on those under 5 years of age. [02] These health impacts include malnutrition, heat exposure, water scarcity, infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and Lyme disease. In the UK high levels of air pollution result in worsening asthma, premature births as well as increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in adulthood. [03]
Approximately 1 billion children – nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children – live in one of the 33 countries classified as “extremely high risk” to the effects of climate change. However, the figures are likely to get worse as the impacts of climate change accelerates.[04]
The climate crisis is also affecting children’s mental health. A global survey illustrates the depth of anxiety many young people are feeling about climate change. Nearly 60% of young people approached said they felt very worried or extremely worried. 83% think adults have failed to take care of the planet.[05]
The choice of the Science Museum as backdrop for the London action is in protest against its ongoing partnership with the oil giants BP, Shell and Equinor, and the coal producing conglomerate Adani, that are all pushing the world further towards climate disaster. Science Museum Group Chair Mary Archer and Director Ian Blatchford have faced a growing backlash from scientists, young people and the public and the Science Museum is becoming increasingly isolated as other cultural institutions cut their ties with fossil fuels. [06]
[01] https://mothersrebellion.com/hem-1/about-mothers-rebellion
[02] FAQ 3: How will climate change affect the lives of today’s children tomorrow, if no immediate
action is taken?
[03] Health matters: air pollution – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[04] One billion children at ‘extremely high risk’ of the impacts of the climate crisis – UNICEF
[05] Climate change: Young people very worried – survey – BBC News
[06] Culture Unstained: Science Museum cancels event as speakers withdraw over fossil fuel