Ardrishaig activist Luna demands action from SEPA
An Ardrishaig activist is one of a band of protesters calling on Scotland’s environmental regulator to reinstate policies that have been relaxed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Politics, economics and philosophy student Luna Martin took part in a demonstration organised by Climate Camp Scotland, alongside Mossmorran Action Group, on Sunday July 26.
The 22-year-old, who has prevously campaigned for animal rights, preserving native ecologies and conserving marine life, is also a member of the Scottish Green Party in Oban.
She said: ‘I hope to pursue a career in politics to make positive changes in my community. I hope to engage more young people with politics and one day aim to give young people in my community a voice. We are in a climate emergency and must do all we can now to prevent further destruction of our beautiful planet.’
Protests took place outside 13 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) offices across Scotland, with activists demanding meaningful action on pollution from the Mossmorran facilities in Fife.
In a press release issued ahead of the event, Climate Camp Scotland explained why it was campaigning: ‘Scotland’s environmental regulator SEPA has cut back monitoring Mossmorran during lockdown, leaving Exxon and Shell to self-report. Meanwhile, residents face horrendous noise, light and air pollution from the plant’s activities and flaring.
‘SEPA needs to put communities first if we are to tackle the climate crisis at home.
‘We are looking for SEPA to remove all conflicts of interest as well as protect and restore trust with communities. We need a strong environmental agency to see out a just transition away from fossil fuels.’