Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) will drive a bus to Pateley Bridge and Harrogate tomorrow to talk to people about climate change.
But although the bus has solar panels on its roof, the bus is not electric and is powered by diesel.
A fleet of multicoloured buses have been travelling the country as part of XR’s Change Is Now tour.
The idea is to visit different XR groups and have conversations with local people about their climate change hopes and fears.
Tomorrow morning, the bus will be in Pateley Bridge to promote a film called 2040, which is showing at Summerbridge Methodist Chapel from 6.30pm that evening. Entry is free.
They will then park up in Harrogate and head to Cambridge Street between 12pm and 4pm to talk to people and canvas views.
A petition calling on the government to take firmer action on climate change will be available to sign.
People can also bring along plain t-shirts or fabrics to get them block-printed with XR graphics.
James Smith, from XR Harrogate, said:
“People really want to talk about climate change.
“When they talk, it becomes more real to people and they then might take action.”
Read more:
- Green Shoots: Keeping Harrogate district trees healthy
- Green Shoots: What it’s like to own an electric car in Harrogate
Mr Smith said he was expecting some criticism about XR using a diesel bus rather than an electric one.
He added:
“Even a group of totally committed green activists have to use a diesel bus, there are no viable, affordable electric buses.
“But this is the point — no matter how green you are you can’t always take the eco, fossil fuel free option that you’d like. We’re calling on the government to plan and fund a zero-carbon economy. “
Extinction Rebellion’s visit will also coincide with the Green Party’s national conference, which is taking place from Friday until Sunday at Harrogate Convention Centre.
