A UNIVERSITY lecturer is going on a hunger strike to protest against climate inaction alongside 100 academics around the globe.

Dr Elia Valentini, a senior lecturer at the University of Essex who works in the psychology department, will stop eating on Wednesday as part of a global protest organised by the Scientist Rebellion.

His hunger strike is set to last for two days to demonstrate the severity of the climate an ecological crisis.

Those on strike are demanding urgent decarbonisation and equitable economic de-growth - paid for by the wealthiest - as steps to avoid a climate disaster.

Dr Valentini believes the situation is dire. He said: “Scientists have long warned leaders and politicians of a looming threat to civilisation that is ever escalating ahead of us.

“We are heading towards a tragic worsening of global warming and extreme weather, destruction of eco-systems and extinction of species.”

He feels he has the responsibility to act to raise awareness and influence societal change.

He said it is time to go beyond the comfort zone and use radical but non-violent actions to send a stronger message that this is an emergency and leading institutions must act accordingly.

“Our premise is if scientists do not act like this is an emergency, we cannot expect the public to do so,” Dr Valentini added.

The strike will involve more than 100 academics from more than ten countries.

The Scientist Rebellion’s aim - according to the movement - is to convince the public immediate action needs to be taken on the climate crisis before the damage is irreversible.

This week, the rebellion plans to engage in educational disobedience, which means academics will deviate from scheduled learning to teach students about the crisis.

They will also go on hunger strikes to demonstrate willingness to give something up for the greater good.

Others will paste scientific papers about the crisis on public buildings with some committing criminal damage using paint.

A statement from the Scientist Rebellion said: “We call on academics, scientists and the public to join us in civil disobedience to demand emergency decarbonisation and de-growth, facilitated by wealth redistribution.”