‘Change is Now’ UK bus tour welcomed to Bangor by city’s Extinction Rebellion group

The bus, run on recycled biofuel, has been touring across the UK, raising awareness about the climate and ecological crisis, and how it connects to the cost-of-living crisis.

People were offered ways to get involved in the movement to demand change on the climate and ecological crises, and to join with thousands of others taking action in spring 2023. 

Bangor is one of more than 60 towns and cities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that Extinction Rebellion members visited.

Visitors and members of the Bangor XR group inside Storiel (Image: Newsquest)

Ayeisha a 33-year-old disability assessor from Llanberis who took part, said: “When you become aware of the seriousness and urgency of the climate emergency and how our government is doing nothing about it, it can feel really despairing.

“For me, the antidote to despair is hope, and nothing brings me more hope than to see my community working and taking action together to protect our futures."

Francis Taylor, 73, a counsellor from Groeslon, added: “Despite the awful weather, many Bangor residents responded positively to XR Bangor's outreach actions on Friday.

“There was a lot of good feedback that they believe the UK Government need to do a lot more to combat the climate catastrophe engulfing the world."

The bus group was welcomed at Storiel art gallery after a stormy journey and joined the Bangor branch, talking to people about their concerns and hopes regarding the climate and ecological crises.

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Climate protest takes place outside Barclays in Bangor

Many visitors to Storiel braved the high winds and rain to meet the activists and find out how to support the XR campaign.

Alison Shaw, a retired geologist from Conwy, said: “We can see how the cost-of-living crisis is a direct result of the climate and ecological crises.

“This summer, the UK suffered temperatures up to 40 degrees, followed by flooding and sewage on our beaches, with a predicted crop failure of up to 50 per cent.

“Oil and gas companies continue to rake in billions of pounds in profits, and the new government seems set on helping them do it. As ordinary people, we must do something before it’s too late.”

Recent polling by Ipsos found that eight in 10 people in the UK are concerned about the climate crisis, while more than 52 per cent think the government’s plan to be “net zero” by 2050 is too late.