As a dramatic act of protest against fossil fuels, the climate action group Just Stop Oil used orange powder spray to damage the ancient Stonehenge site. As part of a larger effort, this event will pressure governments to stop using oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
(Photo: Getty Images/ Handout)
The Protest and Why People Did It
Just Stop Oil activists sprayed an orange material on the ancient stones of Stonehenge on Wednesday, calling on the new U.K. government to work on a fair plan to stop extracting and burning fossil fuels. Niamh Lynch, an Oxford student of 21 years who participated in the protest, stressed how important Stonehenge was as a symbol of celebrating nature. She said that Stonehenge at the winter solstice is a celebration of nature. But she also talked about how worrying it was that Stonehenge was in bad shape.
From her point of view, the basic right to a life without pain is emphasized. She draws attention to the fact that continuing to use fossil fuels has significant effects that cause a lot of death and pain.
The protest happened at the same time as the summer solstice celebrations when many people went to Stonehenge to watch the sunrise. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a well-known piece of British history. It was made in the Bronze Age and is now protected by law.
Response and Repercussions
Political leaders immediately condemned the protest action. PM Rishi Sunak called it a "disgraceful act of vandalism," and Keir Starmer, head of the Labour Party, said it was "outrageous." Niamh Lynch and Rajan Naidu, 73, from Birmingham, were arrested by Wiltshire Police on suspicion of damaging the monument to protest.
On social media, Just Stop Oil explained its actions by saying that the orange substance was cornstarch and would be easy to wash off. Lynch described the group's thinking, which made me think about how our current climate policies will affect people in the future. "What will our civilization leave for future generations?" was a fundamental question she asked. She thinks the quiet endurance of stones differs significantly from the urgency needed for sound climate policy.
Naidu said, "Either we end the fossil fuel era or the fossil fuel era will end us." This shows how serious the climate problem is. He compared it to past attempts to keep nuclear weapons under control, which is why he said we need a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Broader Impact and Ongoing Campaigns
The action by Just Stop Oil at Stonehenge is one of many well-known protests meant to bring attention to the global climate problem. The group has caused problems at sports events, damaged well-known works of art, and blocked major highways. Their most recent stunt shows their determination to get politicians to do something about climate change.
The event at Stonehenge has made people talk more about the importance of stopping using fossil fuels immediately. The group's claims align with the Labour Party's new platform, which says they will stop giving out new oil and gas exploration licenses if they win the next election. On the other hand, Just Stop Oil says that more decisive steps are needed and that all fossil fuels should be phased out by 2030.
English Heritage, the group that takes care of Stonehenge, is very upset about the damage and is looking into how bad it is. Even though something happened, the landmark was still open to the public for the solstice celebrations.
As pressure mounts on governments worldwide to take strong action against fossil fuels, protests like these serve as a stark warning of the importance of having fair and long-lasting climate policies immediately.
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