Former Salisbury social worker Pip Carter is calling for people to ‘raise the alarm’ as part of a national campaign to Make Polluters Pay

On Saturday, September 23, people will come together in a call for the Government to make UK-based fossil fuel giants pay for the impacts of the climate crisis they have caused.

The day of action has been organised by the Make Polluters Pay coalition of charities and campaign groups, including international development agency Christian Aid. It will include pilgrimages, demonstrations and publicity stunts.

Among those taking part is Pip, a former social worker and secretary of the Salisbury Christian Aid Group. “There are several groups in Salisbury working on climate justice,” the 67-year-old said. “It’s really good to find common ground and work together.

“I’ve been involved with Christian Aid for more than 40 years, and through that, I’ve become more and more aware of the need to speak out about climate change and climate justice. We should be raising the alarm - and sadly, our current government isn’t taking the necessary action.”

Christian Aid says rising global temperatures, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, are driving the climate crisis, leading to more frequent and severe climate disasters.

And those who have done the least to cause pollution are paying the highest price with the loss of lives, livelihoods and culture – things which can never be replaced – as well as damage to homes, roads and schools which they don’t have the resources to repair.

In 2023, more than half a million people were displaced in Malawi after their homes were damaged by Cyclone Freddy.

Meanwhile, those responsible, like fossil fuel corporations, continue to make vast profits: in 2022, the combined total profits of BP, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total Energies was around £125.3 billion.

Governments have agreed to create an international Loss and Damage Fund - but right now, the fund is empty. Make Polluters Pay Action Day is about challenging the UK Government to do something about this.

Pip said she would encourage others to join in with the campaign. “We watch programmes about what we’re doing to the Earth, and there’s more and more evidence of the damage we’re doing – it’s like the Earth is screaming.

“Some parts of the world are now beyond adapting to climate change; it’s much more serious.

“But I believe we have to have hope, and the more of us who can come together, the more we talk to people, the more chance there is the necessary action will be taken.

“Make Polluters Pay Action Day is an opportunity to make our voices heard about the injustice and the impact of climate change for countries around the world.”

To find out how you can take part in Make Polluters Pay Action Day, please visit www.christianaid.org.uk - get involved.