CLIMATE activists from the Forest have demanded "stronger action" from world leaders after taking part in events both locally and in Glasgow to coincide with the COP 26 conference.

Members of the Forest of Dean Extinction Rebellion (XR) group travelled to Glasgow this month to "appeal to delegates and scrutinise the decisions that would be taken by world leaders" in terms of an agreement which would ensure global temperatures do not rise more than 1.5 degrees above pre industrial levels.

And locally, a range of groups, include Forest of Dean Green Party councillors, demonstrated in Gloucester against the "unsatisfactory" result of the conference which they say "has not gone far enough".

At the conference, 13 activists from the Forest of Dean group joined protesters to appeal to participants, and some, having been there for a whole week, returned "with some despondency" about the limited progress made.

But the group members say the experience has led them to the realisation that "the changes necessary to avert global disaster will probably only come if pressure is exerted by people coming together and demanding stronger action."

John Payne, from Redbrook, commented: "Here I was, in the middle of gigantic, wet and truly inspiring march through Glasgow.

"This was a march of the people, not just Extinction Rebellion, with numbers between 100,000 and 150,000 climate-concerned individuals.

"I return with a couple of very different images in my mind.

"First, the sun setting on the event, bringing hope and communication between nations, and the second, a sombre, apocalyptic sunset on the demise of humanity.

"Like many people, I think the next year will reveal which of these scenarios will be realised."

Andy Moore from Whitecroft added: "I am feeling desperate - the only hope is that we act fully on what we know about climate change and fast.

"I think, in the next few years, there will be more and more outrage expressed (quite often through civil disobedience) by people, particularly young people, who understand what has to be done.

"The only cure for desperation is action!".

Locally, a number of climate groups, including Forest of Dean XR, Greenpeace and Green Party county and district councillors, came together to demonstrate in Gloucester under the umbrella ’COP 26 Coalition’.

A wide range of groups and individuals spoke following a "sombre" procession through the city, during which XR members demonstrated "the stark realities of excessive global heating".

County councillor Chris McFarling, who is also the district council cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: "CoP26 highlighted the difference between those that are addicted to fossil fuel profit and power and those in the poor global south who are suffering the impacts.

"The unsatisfactory result owed more to ’business as usual’ economic competition between nations, than to an enlightened understanding of the need for systemic change, cooperation, shared justice and investment.

"With no sense of urgency the resulting agreement simply frightens me"

Fellow county councillor Beki Hoyland, who represents Blakeney and Bream, added: "COP 26 has, as expected, not gone far enough or fast enough.

"We are on target for 2.4 degrees of warming but we must not give up!

"Our government must come back to the table next year with Nationally Determined Contributions far exceeding this devastating, sad result.

"When will they see that every penny spent on building an infrastructure and society based on individual wants rather than community need is a nail in the coffin of this precious earth?"