Environmentalist explains why Brits need to listen to climate protesters like Just Stop Oil

We caught up with TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham after a Just Stop Oil slow march in Central London to chat about the group's tactics, the Public Order Bill and why the public need to listen to climate protesters.

Reporter and camera: Oli Dugmore

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[cafesociety]

Anti protest legislation shows exactly who the government work for and it certainly ain't us the public.

[WVislandia]

Isn't it sad that even the intention to raise the issue of climate change gets sidelined to a discussion about anti-protest legislation? It is like the government wins no matter what. While climate destruction gets more and more urgent.

[re]

if you force the people who fear being arrested off the road, then the people who don't fear the police will fill the gap. I'd rather have peaceful protest

[Urban-Spaceman]

Good man. And congratulations on winning in court against the scumbags.

[peterdollins]

Agree with Chris. What can we do? On a small pension at 81 I support 7 climate/wlldlife organisations plus Amnesty and Labour whp promise a better set of policies on Climate and social injustice. I did go to every protest march going but last May I caught Covid and that has shut me down n marching as my strrength has gone and I fear recatching Covid that might kill me. That is thanks to Johnson binning all the mild safety measures that were in place a few months before. People need to recognise this authoritarian. Government is sliding toward fascism and get the B & Bs out. I also never fly either walk or go on public transport get my clothes and other stuff from charity shops do not eat meat et al. Let's all do everythng we can. To add one note: we have lost 96% or more of our bug life, 90% of our small birds, 80% of our animal with 80% of our sea life and much more since I was born in 1942 and I saw all that life before it was destroyed. Why I try to do so much, but it is not enough.

[Pobotrol]

He's such a good communicator. No wonder he makes the Country Squires rage.

[benw-king]

The indifference to climate change by the average person is mindbending. Personally, I don't think that any of these naysayers will get the message until they see their belongings being washed down the street by the latest deluge. In other words, people don't give a f**k until the problem is in their face. As long as it's 'happening to someone else' everything's just fine.

[jamessnazell]

Every time I see and hear Chris Packham he goes up massively in my estimation. And the weird thing I find about why that happens is that he simply speaks common sense.

[Swampberry]

Love him. And love how he answers the question immediately. We need more courage, solidarity and direct action like the French

[salmirza]

Absolutely spot on, I remember one protest I was on in Birmingham, the journalist asked were we going to storm the council house and was there going to be trouble, when I said no, he and his camera crew left

[chrissilver]

Oil companies creating the problem are given public money. People trying to save the existence of humanity on this planet they are the problem.
Anyone see an issue.

[theworldaccordingto]

Thanks for giving Chris Packham a chance to put this out there.

[edc]

I'm 78 and have held the view for a long time now that mankind is on its way out and there is bugger all we plebs can do about it, corporate indifference, profits before people, greed and political stupidity rule the roost everywhere. Humanity passed the tipping point years ago. Protest wont change that, a revolution might, but I really wish them well in their efforts. BZ Chris.

[anthonysmith]

This is all getting very dark and deeply concerning.

Banning protests
Banning T-Shirts

Dan Kaszeta, a speaker on Chemical Weapons, was banned from the UK recently for criticising the government.

Given the Right always accuses the Left of 'Cancel Culture', the word HYPOCRISY screams out.

[juliewake]

Chris Packham is absolutely right.
And the Daily Mail talking this morning about the “idiots” throwing paint on the Chelsea Flower Show needs to rethink their priorities.

[af]

Government winds us up about immigration invasions & disruption - but if they don't act on climate change soon whole populations will be on the move away from the equator... In India the summers are already getting close to unbearable.

[condal]

Fantastic to have such a well respected and know environmentalist back up, what is essential, a very small but immensely brave group of activists that is, Just Stop Oil👍👍

[archvaldor]

One thing I love about Aspies is how blunt and truthful they are.

[differentgenx]

Chris Packham is great! We need more advocates like him. Our planet is in jeopardy and no on in the UK is doing anything. When they try to protest they are treated like dirt under the Tories shoe. We all need to do something now or there will be nothing for this generation (which people dont understand) as well as future gnerations.

[michaelrch]

Love Chris so much ❤
Thank you Chris for everything you do on our behalf.