Hundred of people closed up shop, left school or work to attend the climate strikes in Castle Square Swansea and the march to Brangwyn Hall.

Geraint Davies, Labour MP for Swansea West, said: “This action, which I welcome, is part of the global strike movement inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, which saw demonstrations across the world, including in the Philippines, India, Australia and the United States of America.

“It’s right that so many Swansea people are taking to our streets passionate that more is done sooner to prevent an environmental catastrophe that puts all our lives at risk.

“Put simply the world will reach the one and a half degree increase that triggers more floods, food shortages and loss of species by 2030. That’s ten years yet the UK Government is waiting another thirty years before the UK is carbon-Zero but making matters worse until then. This is like signing an environmental suicide note and yet unbelievably we are one of the best countries for climate change action!

“Water shortages and land loss plus insufficient food will drive forced-migration and war that will bring about chaos the world has never known. Our children will be thinking very hard about whether they want to bring children into such a world.

“We need drastic action now to cut oil consumption and production, to reduce travel and switch to much lower meat eating diets. We need more locally produced food instead of relying on supplies from far across the world.

“We must massively cut plastic production and consumption that is destroying our oceans and impregnating our fish stocks. “Fracking must be banned and we need clean travel – like electric rail to Swansea instead of diesel – and clean renewable energy – like the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon instead of fracking, gas and oil.

“Swansea people have asked what I am doing personally in Parliament to help.

“I’ve introduced a Fracking bill to ban fracking as it is worse than coal for global warming due to methane leakage.

“My Clean Air Bill would reduce diesel and petrol consumption and help to save 62,000 lives of people who die prematurely each year from air pollution. Tackling air pollution will reduce emissions and help prevent climate change.

“I’ve introduced a Plastics Bill to tax virgin plastics and tax more or ban difficult to recycle plastic. Sustainable alternatives must become cheaper for producers and consumers to solve this problem.

“ The great power of multinational oil companies have had the ears of governments far too long and now is the time for dramatic change to save all our futures.

“The enthusiasm and growing numbers on Swansea’s streets protesting today gives me new hope that the government must listen so that together we can protect all our futures

“Swansea’s young people protesting today are out to safeguard their future and the government today needs to make a commitment to avoid food scarcity, floods, droughts and natural disasters.

“The people of Swansea should be thanked for being here to stand up in solidarity for the survival of our planet. Time is short and action is insufficient to save us from an environmental catastrophe.”