A SPEAKER for Extinction Rebellion and the Green Party met climate activists in East Cowes ahead of the Global Climate Strike.

Dr Rupert Read, a Green Party campaigner, addressed the room, urging the need for action on the continued use of fossil fuels.

Dr Read said: "Fossil fuels are going to destroy us unless we do something really extraordinary.

"In the few years since 1990 we have doubled the carbon emissions from human activity. It is a time bomb going off, with no effective plan to stop it.

"Right now Australia is burning, the Amazon is being destroyed. The climate emergency will define our lives and our children’s lives.

"We must look it in the eye and do much more. We need to be prepared to take non-violent direct action.”

Dr Read urged Islanders to take part in the planned day of global action against climate change on Friday, September 20.

It will take place in St Thomas' Square in Newport at 11am.