All states are experiencing the devastating effects of climate change one way or another. According the UNDP, as of 2017 humans are estimated to have caused approximately 1°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels; sea levels have risen by about 20cm since 1880; between 1998 and 2017, climate-related disasters have killed 1.3 million people and injured 4.4 billion; to limit warming to 1.5°C, global net CO2 emissions must drop by 45% between 2010 and 2030, and reach net zero around 2050. In light of this, the UNHS is committed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, Climate Action, in order to take action on climate issues in Scotland and work towards climate justice at home and abroad.
In order to promote this goal, a Holyrood Rebel Camp has been set up outside the Scottish Parliament from June 16-20 th by the activist group ‘Extinction Rebellion’. The group has coordinated the protests to correspond to the hearing of amendments to the Scottish government’s Climate Change Bill. Currently, this includes the target to make Scotland reach net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045. However, Extinction Rebellion are not willing to accept this; they propose that Scottish politicians should take a stance and amend the bill for net zero carbon emissions to 2025. The activists are planning activities all throughout the week involving events such as workshops, people’s assemblies, talks with MSPs etc.