As Just Stop Oil and Dale Vince hit the headlines last week over his funding for them, five local people joined their disruptive ‘slow marches’ on major London roads to demand the government end the development of all new oil, gas and coal extraction.

Therapeutic care worker Steph Smith (35) said: “Since last summer’s heatwaves I can't not do anything any more, my anxiety won’t allow me to. We’ve tried petitions, we’ve tried talking to MP’s – the government is in the pockets of the oil companies. Listen to your gut: I have to be part of the solution. This isn’t a bunch of crazy hippies with mad ideas, this is science, this is survival.”

Former teacher Gill Tavner (53) said: ‘Blocking London’s roads is way outside my comfort zone, but I was helped by the support of passers-by. You don’t see that in the news.’

“Our demand is simple, achievable and backed by science and the UN: no new licences for oil and gas extraction. We need more people to join us to make their voices heard” added gardener Adam Beard (54).

Mike Exley, 66, a retired handyman said: “Being with Just Stop Oil is seen as a near criminal act by this government but our politicians, whose short term, avaricious greed and disregard for my children’s lives, are the true criminals.”

Nailsworth music teacher Bill Roberts (66) said: “Emissions from new oil and gas fields would mean more people being killed by rising global temperatures. Already 10s of millions in the global south are seeing their soils turn to dust, and last summer’s heat caused 40,000 additional deaths across Europe.”

Their actions coincided with Ecotricity boss Dale Vince pledging to match all donations to Just Stop Oil for 48 hours, after the Daily Mail splashed him across their front page. Pledges poured in, totalling £170,000. Adam McKay, producer of climate change parody film Don’t Look Up, then pledged to triple donations for the next 48 hours. In all, Just Stop Oil gained £900,000 in just four days. Dale Vince has now joined a London slow march, along with campaigner George Monbiot.

To join the local group email JSOStroud@protonmail.com, or visit www.juststopoil.org

Bill Roberts

Stroud