Leaders rarely have courage to lead. It takes people like you and me to demand they treat the climate crisis like our crisis

A special Sunday Post front page on November 7 cites the inspirational speech of Vanessa Nakate delivered to marchers in Glasgow the day before

One of the highlights of Cop26 was the impassioned speech Vanessa Nakate delivered to 100,000 marchers at the climax of the summit’s biggest rally.

In a clarion call to the crowds gathered in Glasgow Green, the climate change activist said: “Leaders rarely have courage to lead. It takes people like you and me to demand they treat the climate crisis like our crisis.”

Her words, reproduced on a special Sunday Post front page, echoed around the world to millions of other environmental campaigners. Today, Nakate admits some nerves before appearing before such a large crowd.

She said: “It was a good moment for me to talk about what was happening in my country and the African continent, and to really highlight the need for leaders to take climate action.

“I was of course a bit nervous before speaking, but then it became easier for me as I continued to speak to the people.

“My message was very clear about what was already happening when it comes to the climate crisis and about what is happening in Africa. I feel there is a need to keep telling people that the African continent is responsible for less than 4% of global emissions and yet we are seeing the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

“So I’m always very joyful to get the opportunities to speak to thousands of people about what I’ve seen happening in my community and beyond my community when it comes to the climate crisis.”

Despite heavy rain and strong winds on the day, November

6, more than 100,000 climate protesters gathered in Glasgow Green, many of them marching three miles from Kelvingrove Park in the city’s West End.

Climate campaign figurehead Greta Thunberg, who joined the march, had been due to speak at the rally but withdrew insisting she wanted to let other voices be heard. Other rallies were held in London, Manchester and cities around the world.