Two Dorset clerics, including one from Dorchester, were among 10 South West Just Stop Oil supporters arrested in Parliament Square last week.

The Reverend Jonathon Herbert, a 61-year-old Church of England vicar from Dorchester, and the Reverend Hilary Bond, 57, of Wareham, are both members of the Christian Climate Action group.

They were arrested along with the Reverend Sue Parfitt, 81, of Bristol, having taken part in protest events in London last week, refusing to leave the road in line with police orders. 

All three were taken to Islington Police Station and later released. Across the week, 87 others from the South West region have been slow marching every day to demand the UK government end its licensing of new oil, gas, and coal projects. 

Before his arrest, the Reverend Herbert said: "My faith calls me to act in the face of the extreme threat to life caused by our addiction to fossil fuels. To be opening a new coal mine and drilling for more oil is an extreme act of folly – and a betrayal of future generations.

"I've tried protesting in so many ways over the years, but things have only gotten worse. You have to decide what kind of person you are: someone who stands up to evil or someone who just lets it happen." 

The Reverend Bond added: "I believe in a God who puts great emphasis on justice for all, but there will be no climate justice unless we stop all new oil and gas exploration now. 

"Many in the global south are already enduring great suffering brought about by the continued use of fossil fuels by richer nations in the north – and as a Christian, I cannot with integrity stand by and watch this happen.

"It's time for the wealthy minority who hold so much power in this country to stop putting their desire for money and possessions above our desire for global climate justice."  

A report published last week by the European Central Bank has found that higher than average temperatures are accelerating inflation in dozens of countries around the world, and the trend is expected to continue as the world heats up.

They found rising temperatures are driving up the cost of food and other goods and services resulting in an uptick in prices that ripples across the global economy. While it's a worldwide phenomenon, the largest impacts likely will be felt in the global south, specifically Africa and South America, the researchers said.

Since the Just Stop Oil campaign launched on February 14 2022, there have been 2,200 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison, many without trial. There are currently two Just Stop Oil supporters serving three year prison sentences for resisting new oil, gas and coal.

Just Stop Oil is calling on everyone to "get off the sidelines and join in civil resistance against new oil, gas and coal".

A spokesperson said: "The time is now. Join us and slow march while you still can. Our indefinite campaign of civil resistance is underway and will not end until our government makes a meaningful statement halting new fossil fuel projects in the UK."

Find more details at https://juststopoil.org/