Climate change will have ‘catastrophic’ impacts on our ability to produce food as international crop failures begin to affect global supply.

That was the message behind yesterday’s (15 October) mass action orchestrated by climate group Extinction Rebellion, as part of its two-week civil disobedience protests in London to demand more urgent action on climate.

Activists blocked the road in front of security offices MI5 in central London to attempt a mass feast and food sharing action, and to share messages about food security and climate.

Under the banner ‘No Food, No Future’, the event took place despite police banning further protests in central London after more than a week of Extinction Rebellion actions and over 1,600 arrests.

“We are in trouble. Drought and heat waves are killing crops. Pesticides are killing wildlife. We are losing our precious soil and millions are undernourished right now,” said Tony Whitehead, a member of Extinction Rebellion in the south west.

“International crop failures will have catastrophic impacts upon our society especially as the UK is particularly vulnerable to crop failures and food shortages with 77 per cent of our fruit and veg being imported.

“Achieving food justice for all and addressing the climate and ecological emergency are one and the same thing. There is no food on a dead planet.”

As well as food security, other direct actions have targeted the Department of Transport to demand a transition to a zero carbon transport system, the banking sector to stop financing fossil fuel companies, and the BBC to ‘tell the truth’ about the climate emergency.

Police have been clearing major gathering points under Section 14 of the Public Order Act, including Trafalgar Square and Vauxall Pleasure Gardens, while lawyers from Extinction Rebellion have submitted a judicial review to the High Court about the legality of police bans.