Borders climate campaigners call for halt to fossil fuels

In Edinburgh, protesters from various groups gathered outside the Court of Session at the start of legal proceedings concerning new drilling in Scotland's North Sea Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.

Environmentalists contest the drilling on the grounds of 'inadequate' impact assessments, which they say overlooked the legal requirement to consider the consequences of burning the extracted oil or gas.

Groups such as Greenpeace, Uplift, Stop Rosebank, Global Justice Now and Christian Climate Action were among those raising their voices against the drilling.

Later in the week, campaigners for a proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty gathered outside Scottish Parliament.

They presented a letter to the First Minister, signed by thousands of supporters, organisations, faith groups and celebrities, advocating for the treaty.

The rally was organised by Global Justice Now and Paperboats Writers Collective, urging the First Minister to support the treaty amid the climate emergency.

A silent vigil organised by Christian Aid was held in remembrance of those who have lost their lives due to climate change effects.

In Melrose, the weekly Fridays for Future Silent Vigil took place in Market Square (Image: Borders Climate Action Network)The Borders' climate activists are part of a larger movement, highlighting the 'excessive' use of fossil fuels over several decades, which they say has caused 'extreme' weather events in recent times.

The campaigners' efforts come in the wake of the United Nations Climate Change Conferences, which have so far failed to unite world leaders in agreeing on 'decisive actions' to restore ecological balance.

Anyone interested in joining or starting a climate action group in the Borders can contact the Scottish Borders Climate Action Network for information and support at sbcan@sup.org.uk.