Dame Emma Thompson gives ‘gloomy’ climate forecast at Extinction Rebellion protest

British actress Dame Emma Thompson has told climate change activists that the world is heading for “long-lasting and irreversible change” during a mock weather forecast at a protest.

The 60-year-old star was speaking at a “12 days of crisis” rally outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London, which was organised by activist group Extinction Rebellion.

She stood in front of a map of the UK, which apparently showed the areas most at risk of coastal flooding by 2030, and said: “And now earth lovers, to the weather.”

The Love Actually actress then added: “For those of you expecting a habitable future, we have some pretty gloomy projections for you.

“Climate crisis trends show an increased chance of warmer, wetter winters and hotter, dryer summers, along with an increase of frequency and intensity of extremes.

“Better wrap up warm, stockpile food and remember there is a surprising amount of food in the average household pet.

“Looking ahead we are on course to sail past our 1.5 degree centigrade target putting us on track for long lasting and irreversible change.”

She continued: “General consensus does suggest there is an imminent crisis forecast, but not for politicians who seem to think this moist and fertile rain is ideal for growing an economy.

“As we move across the country, with severe flood warnings showing almost everywhere, and a thick fog covering Westminster, it is an uneasy picture.

“Expect crop failures, water contamination, damaged houses and ruined lives, and we will see these persistent weather fronts continue to wreck havoc across the nation, albeit with one or two days of dry and settled weather.

“Looking at the edges, we can see an estimated 3,000 kilometres of our coastline receding, although that is great news for the Tory heartlands, which will soon be expecting sea views encroaching across the hills.”

Dame Emma’s speech was part of a series of demonstrations by Extinction Rebellion which are linked to the general election.

It is thought around 20 people attended the event off Oxford Street, with some holding a banner saying “Tell The Truth”, while some were dressed in diving equipment – symbolising the threat of flooding in the UK by 2023.

Dame Emma also said: “All the signs are telling us to act now, but as our chief adviser King Canute once said, never let a rising tide get in the way of a good election.”

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The actress added: “Taking a closer look at London we see that 23 underground stations are at significant risk of flooding, with 57 at high risk.

“These climate trends could bring chaos to the inner city, but with underground drivers being retrained as gondoliers there are promising signs the economy will stay afloat.

“Thank you Boris.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Dame Emma Thompson gives ‘gloomy’ climate forecast at Extinction Rebellion protest