Report by Women's Institute climate change ambassador Jill Bruce

What do retired GPs usually do?

Dr Jayne Smith and Dr Shan Newhouse from Halstead surgery may normally be painting or gardening but they have been down in London providing first aid for Extinction Rebellion’s fortnight of street occupations around Whitehall.

The doctors both feel a continuing duty of care to people and the planet.

They say that climate crisis is already damaging many people’s lives around the world.

Both doctors are involved with XR (Extinction Rebellion) locally, and with other climate and environmental issues.

XR is growing fast with groups all over the area, including Colchester, Sudbury, Cambridge and Chelmsford.

It is easy to find on Facebook.

What is the protest like?

Dr Newhouse said: “We have been on the site outside Downing Street.

“It is blocked by people and tents. It is hard work and tiring but great to be with so many people who want the Government to recognise the emergency and start making changes to protect our world from climate crisis.

“It is very friendly and peaceful. XR is non-violent.

“There are people here from all walks of life, ages and origins, a real cross-section of society.

“Road blocking can be boring, so XR believes in having fun and being family friendly whilst doing the vital work of changing public opinion and government policy.

“We have samba bands, classical quartets, all sorts of music.

“There are lots of lovely banners and processions come through like the Red Rebels, and today four ‘kangaroos’.

“All of these raise our spirits and help us deal with the rain showers and police pressure.

“I am so proud of all these ordinary people who put their comfort and safety on the line for all society and nature.”

The two GPs say that XR is the greatest hope for change, which has to be international, political and economic, and cannot just be individual.

It follows the best scientific advice and is in line with what the United Nations and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are saying.

Its three demands to government are to tell the truth about climate crisis, act now to be carbon neutral by 2025, and use a citizen’s assembly to help form policy.

Dr Smith says: “The police have been much harder than in April.

“Many people in XR want to be arrested to make the point, as was done in the Civil Rights protests and many other successful protest movements.

“It is difficult for the police as we are very polite and friendly.

“Most protestors don’t want to be arrested and do support roles like providing food, cleaning, talks, stewarding.

“There is room for everyone’s skills and abilities in XR.”

Dr Newhouse said: “We are particularly proud of all the elderly and disabled people involved.

“It is a pity the police raided a lot of our equipment before we started, taking welfare kit like disabled toilets, ramps, tents and food.

“The police near us were polite but are clearly responding to government pressure. I spent the day moving our first aid equipment and tent from St James Park to Trafalgar Square as the police confiscated as many tents and belongings as they could.

“In four days I have had to work in four different tents as the situation changed." 

The doctors say: “Our society is rapidly destroying the basic life support we all depend on.

“Disease patterns are changing, pollution damaging children’s lungs, and plastic clogging up the sea and land.

“If we don’t change fast, there will be food shortages, wars, and society breakdown.

“We have less than eight years to act drastically or climate crisis will become unstoppable and the planet will head for four degrees or more of heating, eventually becoming incompatible with life.

“We would prefer not to have to be here and disrupt some peoples’ daily lives.

“Every other way of waking up society and Government has failed and we are running out of time.

“Please read about XR and what we are doing, do not just believe the biased reporting we sometimes get.

“Find out about climate and ecological crisis and decide what future you want for your children.”