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WATCH: Valentine's Day climate strike in Inverness





People of all ages held a special Valentine's Day climate strike in Inverness city centre.

Around 100 people gathered in Falcon Square to "show their love" for the environment as part of the UK-wide movement demanding stronger action from governments, local authorities and companies to address the climate emergency.

Event organisers Cora Ditta (15) and Lily Henderson (15), who joined Inverness Youth Climate Strike last year, said they were happy with the success of today's event.

Miss Ditta said: "It's incredible how many people are here today, we didn't expect such a big turnout, especially with this weather,

"This is the first event we have organised and you really feel better, it feels like you are really doing something. I used to sit home and panic about it but now I feel less powerless, I feel like I've got a voice now.

"The Valentine's strike is organised UK-wide and it's an occasion to say that we are striking for our love towards Mother Earth."

Miss Henderson said: "It's great to see many like-minded people here. I should be in school right now, and making the most out of my free education, but what's the point in having a free education when there is going to be no planet left? If we miss only a few hours month that is something I can catch up with, but the climate emergency is something we have to act for now.

"If I need to have a voice in my future, this is what I have to do now. I can't vote yet, so this is the only way that I can get my voice heard."

"There will be a worldwide event in April, and we are going to really push that out on our social media accounts.

"We want that to be our biggest event and to have as many people as possible come along."

Highlands and Islands Green Party MSP, John Finnie, also attended the protest.

He said: "It's an astonishing turnout and it's an indication of the commitment that the young people have to the future, something that sadly isn't matched by people of my generation who have created the problem, so the young people are the ones that will face the consequences. More importantly, they're going to have to come up with a solution to make sure that the damage we've already done isn't exacerbated."

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