It is Earth Day today (Monday) – and also the sixth birthday of environmental action group Extinction Rebellion.
So XR York are staging a celebration to mark both milestones.
Extinction Rebellion York are to host a party on the Millennium Bridge between 6pm and 7pm today.
The group want it to be “a joyful celebration of people and planet, honouring our shared home and the efforts of modern environmental activists”.
Environmental groups from across the city, such as Friends of The Earth and Greenpeace, are expected to take part. Residents of all ages are welcome to join the celebrations.
There will be art, music, and poetry performed by local artists, including Adderstone.
The first Earth Day was instituted in 1970. On Earth Day 2016, the Paris Agreement was signed, and Earth Day 2020 saw the largest online mass mobilisation in history.
Since 2000, Earth Day campaigns have focused on mitigating the climate and ecological crises. The 2024 Earth Day theme is Planet vs Plastics.
Extinction Rebellion first emerged in April 2018, when its protests shut down central London.
Campaigners claim their protests were instrumental in pressuring the UK government to declare a climate emergency.
XR York has undertaken a number of campaigns, including a People’s Assembly and protest against sewage in the River Ouse.
“Although the task of tackling the ecological emergency can seem overwhelming, there is a lot to celebrate,” said Cath Heinemeyer, a member of XR York.
“A powerful movement for change has built in strength over recent years, and made real achievements to protect nature and people. XR York’s Earth Day celebration will be a moment to mark York’s own part in that movement.”