Under a light rain, a group of American climate activists launch smoke bombs in Glasgow, a Scottish city hosting a crucial COP26 for the future of the planet that is preparing to welcome leaders and protesters from around the world.
The growing cloud of smoke is aimed at the heads of state and government expected at the UN summit, which starts on Sunday (31).
The protesters will increase as delegates land in Glasgow, a city still struggling to regain normality after the confinement imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m very proud that the COP is being held in Glasgow,” says Isabelle Barkley, a resident who calmly walks toward protesters in downtown George Square.
In this square, Barkley has seen Nelson Mandela pass through the years, as well as numerous Scottish independence rallies and Black Lives Matters protests.
Over the next two weeks, the square will be a meeting point for climate activists. According to organizers, up to 100,000 people are expected to participate in a large demonstration to be organized on 5 November.
“We have to be positive, remember that we can all do something. Eat less meat, buy less plastic”, emphasizes Barkley.
The rain has emptied the city, where more than 100 leaders are expected, including US President Joe Biden.
As a reminder that the threat already exists, many downtown streets are flooded.
As for security measures, the police blocked a large perimeter around the Scottish Campus Event, which will host the event, close to the banks of the River Clyde, making everyday life difficult for residents.
Many are concerned that the event will lead to an increase in Covid-19 cases at a time when the UK faces one of the highest infection rates in the world.
According to Devi Sridhar, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, member of the group in charge of advising the Scottish government on the coronavirus, the summit, which is expected to receive 25,000 delegates from 200 countries, is taking place at the worst moment.
Sridhar believes it could lead to a new peak and a return to restrictions.
“A failure and a lie”
“I could be wrong, and I hope so,” but “a big event with people coming and going with a contagious virus will lead to an increase in cases,” the professor tweeted.
The worsening epidemic “will weigh heavily on the health service” and “will require further restrictions,” Sridhar said.
Shaun Clerkin, a Glasgow resident who watches American protesters throw smoke bombs, expects the worst.
“To be honest, I believe COP26 will be a failure and a lie,” says the 60-year-old, who believes the organizers are invading the lives of the inhabitants, isolating visitors from the very real social problems of the city.
“We have homeless people on our streets,” he says, “who live in temporary housing and hotels, in precarious facilities,” he adds.
“But in the end, the council wants to hide the homeless and the poor from conference delegates,” laments Clerkin.
But for activists in George Square, there is only one fight that matters.
“The outcome of COP26 in Glasgow is nothing short of life and death for people around the world,” said Andrew Nazdin, the organizer of the protest.
“We need leaders from around the world to mobilize,” says the 33-year-old.
According to Nazdin, the heads of state and government have a golden opportunity to act and the protesters will be there to remind them.
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