PROTESTORS came out in force against climate change as part of a global day of action that stretched around the world.

Crowds gathered at Lydney Cross on Friday lunchtime to demonstrate against the damage being done to the environment across the planet.

Mr Ian Wright, who is formerly from the Forest but now lives in Bristol, was there with his dog Lily and explained why he wanted to join the demostration.

“I am like everyone else here as we realise this literally is a climate emergency and unless something is done about it immediately, there will be a point of no return where permamant damage will be done,” he said.

“It is going to be down to political leadership in this country and internationally to start taking action and to limit the release of carbon dioxide and methane gases into the atmosphere.”

Mrs Kate Fortet was at Lydney Cross with her husband Matthew and children Pascal and Gulliver.

She said: “It is important because of the children and the future. Something has got to change.”

And her husband believed just doing a small part by protesting in Lydney could help with a change of attitude towards the climate.

Mr Fortet said: “This is huge. We have seen record numbers in Australia, for example, and also numbers in Canada, South America, London and Paris. The whole world is waking up to this.

“And we need to put pressure on the Government to, first of all, tell the truth and then act now and reduce the emmissions. It needs a systematic change.”

US President Donald Trump, for one, has dismissed climate change, most notably at the G20 Summit in Japan last summer.

But Mr Fortet believes he is wrong, adding: “He won’t listen, but there needs to be a change to remove people who get into power and ruin the planet.

“Movements like this can make a difference. Every year, it is getting bigger and bigger until they will listen.

“Otherwise, we are all dead. I saw a report that Lydney Harbour will be under water and Caldicot, Newport, Miami and Shanghai will all be gone within my children’s lifetime.

“Protests like this matter, no matter how big or small. There are people getting together and standing up to the Government because this crisis is going to kill us all.”