CAMPAIGNERS from Extinction Rebellion staged a demonstration in the rain in protest of what they claimed is Dorset Council's lack of action on climate change.

Members from Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland and Bridport held a 'Ceremony of Nothing' in Dorchester to mark 'two years of inaction' on the climate and ecological crisis.

A plaque was temporarily erected on South Walks House by the climate activists to commemorate actions taken by the council and was ceremonially unveiled displaying nothing - 10 people wearing masks of Dorset Council's cabinet members faces were photographed in front of the plaque. 

Scientist and activist Emma Smart in a speech outside the Dorset Council building during Sunday's protest: “I stand here today in absolute fear and terror because not just Dorset Council, but our government is failing us.

"They are full of hot air and empty promises, with targets so far into the future that we are heading for inevitable collapse of our society, of food-systems and everything that we hold dear. Our Leaders have failed, and so it is up to us now, all of us, we have to take a step up”

Parish councillor for Hazelbury Bryan, Ken Huggins, said: “We recognise that the council has done well recently in securing government funding, £19m, ringfenced to reduce the carbon footprint of the Council estate. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Their buildings and assets, represent only one per cent to two per cent of the total carbon emissions generated each year in Dorset. They have been silent on how the 98 per cent to 99 per cent will be tackled. Over the last two years they have missed or ignored endless opportunities to engage with the public and local businesses on things that can be done by them and how they can make a start on that 99 per cent."

The rally moved to Maumbury rings, where campaigners set up a stall with empty jars and information boards displaying their perspective on what Dorset Council have delivered on their climate and ecological emergency promises.

A two-minute silence followed "to mourn the losses". The silence was ended when Dorchester's town crier Alistair Chisholm rang his bell and delivered his award winning cry, which praises the benefits of nature.

The Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy presents eight key areas for action to ensure that the Council’s services and estate become carbon neutral by 2040, and across the whole Dorset Council area by 2050.

Dorset Council said they are working hard on how they intend to update and upgrade properties using £19 million of grant funding, awarded by the government, to help to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

The programme of work will be a major step in the Council’s ambition to become zero carbon by 2040 with hopes to accelerate several actions in the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Action Plan, helping to meet their 2040 carbon targets without total reliance on capital funds.

The money will go toward switching heating systems away from fossil fuels to heat pumps, improving energy efficiency through measures like insulation, LED lighting and the installation of solar panels on building roofs.