This is why dozens of pairs of children’s shoes were laid out at Bognor’s Hotham Park

Dozens of pairs of children’s shoes were laid out on the grass in Hotham park on Sunday as a stark reminder of the hardships the next generation will face due to the climate crisis.
The shoes at Hotham ParkThe shoes at Hotham Park
The shoes at Hotham Park

The ‘Gone’ event was hosted by Chichester and Arun Green Party and Extinction Rebellion.

Liz McCallum, an Extinction Rebellion supporter, initiated the event after being moved by images from a similar protest in Trafalgar Square.

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She said: “The idea of the empty shoes is to represent children’s futures and their present lives being taken from them due to the effects of the global climate emergency and biodiversity loss.”

Organisers spoke to passing residents about the climate crisisOrganisers spoke to passing residents about the climate crisis
Organisers spoke to passing residents about the climate crisis

She said that locally habitat and biodiversity loss was exacerbated by the spraying of glysophates on verges and the building of houses in areas which will not encourage the support and protection of our wildlife and pollinators.

Organisers of the event, including young Green Party member Chloe Wilkinson, spoke to passing residents in order to find out how they were feeling about the climate emergency.

Carol Birch, Green Party Arun area co-ordinator and election agent, said: “Today was about explaining the impact climate change is already having on our children’s future.

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“Climate change will not lead to a gentle increase in temperature, instead there will be extremes of weather.

“This will mean that some areas will become too hot for habitation and our food and water supplies will be threatened.

“The time for serious action is now to protect our future generations.”

The Green Party is supporting the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill which aims to require public bodies to act in pursuit of our ‘environmental, social, economic and cultural wellbeing by meeting wellbeing objectives’.

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The shoes featured in the demonstration were donated by EcoSwap CIC and, upon return, will be donated to Little Bundles Baby Bank, which holds pay-what-you-can school uniform sales.

Any remaining shoes will be donated to those in need in Africa.