Extinction Rebellion: Climate Change Protesters Demonstrate Outside MOD

Climate change protestors have been demonstrating outside the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in London.

It comes as activists from the Extinction Rebellion have been demonstrating in cities across the world, including Amsterdam, Berlin and Sydney.

Organisers planned to shut down a number of key sites in central London, as well as protesting in front of Government departments. 

A number of people have been arrested in the capital following the start of the protests which has seen Lambeth and Westminster bridges blocked.

Outside the MOD, campaigners locked themselves to a mock Trident missile in protest over the UK's nuclear deterrent. 

Speaking to Forces News outside the MOD, protestor Rebecca Johnson said: "You cannot stop climate change with nuclear weapons. 

"The military needs to be decarbonised - 6% of Britain's carbon emissions are actually expended by the military and that is not taking in the additional nuclear weapons."

Last month, the head of the British Army announced plans to make it more eco-friendly.

General Mark Carleton-Smith suggested the Army's current fleet of vehicles and tanks are "possibly the last to be dependent on fossil fuel engines".

He said the Army must be more environmentally friendly to attract future recruits and make sure it is "not only battle-winning but also environmentally sustainable". 

However, Ms Johnson said the MOD still needs to do more for climate change.

"I think they're listening but not enough," she said.

Another Extinction Rebellion protestor, Kate McDermott, said: "We've done all sorts of things about nuclear disarmament, about trying to get the Government to move [its stance on nuclear weapons] and nothing has actually produced sufficient results to be safe for the planet.

"The involvement of the military in virtually every activity in the world is so threatening in any case.

"But what people don't realise is that it uses up huge amounts of resources, increases CO2 emissions."

The design of environmentally sustainable vehicles is now a priority for the Army.

It comes after the Government announced plans to cut carbon emissions to zero by 2050. 

Industry experts QinetiQ, who have been given a £3.5m contract to design hybrid land warfare vehicles, say they could be in service within a decade.

The burning of fossil fuels over the centuries has contributed to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, causing temperatures to rise and changes to the weather.

Data recently published by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service showed that July this year was the warmest month on record for the world.

Extinction Rebellion's protests are expected to last two weeks.

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.