More than a thousand campaigners massed in Coventry to mark the Climate Change Day of Action.
An amazing day saw Christian Aid and its allies from the Stop Climate Chaos coalition join together to demand climate justice as we counted down to the crucial UN talks in Copenhagen.
‘No justice in climate change’
The day kicked off with a joint service with CAFOD at Coventry Cathedral. We heard about the danger of climate change from campaigner James Galgallo from northern Kenya and world renowned climate scientist James Hansen.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, said:
‘The climate is changing and there is no justice in the change.
‘Those most affected by the changing climate are powerless to do anything about it; and those who have the power to make a difference don't yet feel the full disastrous effects.’
Video: climate scientist James Hansen
Video: activist James Galgallo
Great turnout
The numbers then swelled to more than 1,200 as we were joined by colleagues from the Stop Climate Chaos coalition in a New Orleans-style funeral procession through the city centre.
While jazz band Jamablaya added a colourful note, campaigners carried coffins and wreaths in keeping with their message: that climate change is a matter of life or death.
Speakers addressing the crowds at the end included Christian Aid Director, Daleep Mukarji, and actress and environmental campaigner Greta Scacchi.
Video: Daleep Mukarji
Video: Greta Scacchi
Commitment renewed
The day was brought to a close with a rally, alongside the World Development Movement, outside the headquarters of E.ON, the company behind the planned Kingsnorth coal-fuelled power station.
Video: Christian Aid's Paul Brannen issues a blistering rebuke on new coal power
Protesters made their voices heard outside E.ON's offices before making their way back to their homes all across the country, their commitment emboldened by a moving and inspiring day.
Behind them they left one last memo, a wreath spelling out the starkest of epitaphs: ‘coal kills’.
