Glasgow Saturday December 5, 2009
www.the-wave.org.uk/scotland

Celebrities from across Scotland and the globe, including Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian, The Proclaimers, Daniela Nardini, Atta Yakub and Helena Christensen, are calling on Scots to Get on the Wave and join the country's biggest ever demonstration to demand action on climate change, this Saturday (December 5).

The Wave is a family-friendly march through the streets of Glasgow, two days before world leaders meet in Copenhagen to thrash out a new climate deal at the UN Climate Talks.

As Scotland has the world's strongest climate change legislation, at The Wave, marchers will call on leaders meeting at Copenhagen to share Scotland's ambition on climate, protect the poorest, and act fair and fast to address climate change. They will also urge Gordon Brown to take the lead at the UN negotiations and help deliver a deal that will protect the world from runaway climate change.

The Wave will leave Bellahouston Park at 11am and make its way to Kelvingrove Park, where there will be speeches, entertainment, food, music and children's events.

It is organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), which represents over 60 organisations and 2 million people across Scotland - including Oxfam, Christian Aid, SCIAF and WWF - the largest civil society coalition since Make Poverty History in 2005. There will also be simultaneous Waves in Belfast, Dublin, London, Paris, Brussels and Berlin.

Stuart Murdoch of Scottish band Belle and Sebastian, said:

"There have been reports in the press recently that politicians are trying to wriggle out of a deal in Copenhagen, that they need more time. But they've had years already. We need to tell them that their delay is costing lives. So join The Wave on Saturday and demand action on climate change. Apart from anything else, it'll be a really nice walk and guaranteed good weather!"

Scottish actress, Daniela Nardini, said:

"Climate change is affecting poor people first and worst, those who are least responsible for the emissions causing climate change and who have the least resources to cope. It's taking their crops, water, homes and jobs, things already in short supply in poor countries.

When I visited Malawi with Oxfam some years ago, people were already struggling. I can't imagine how hard things must be for them now as climate change takes its toll on their lives.

I urge Scots to join The Wave in Glasgow and tell world leaders at Copenhagen to share Scotland's ambition on climate and act now to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time, before it's too late."

The Proclaimers, Charlie and Craig Reid, said:

"Climate change is the biggest global challenge facing the world. Millions of people in developing countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change even though they have done the least to cause the problem. Scotland has put in place a world-leading climate change Bill to ensure it plays its fair part in preventing the situation from getting worse. Other governments now have to follow its lead."

Scottish Actor Atta Yaqub (Ae Fond Kiss), said:

"As a Scot, I am proud that Scotland has been bold and realistic enough to recognise that nothing less than a 42 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases will do. However, we are not out of the water yet. For a truly meaningful attempt at tackling climate change, we need other countries to follow our lead and agree on a similar cut at Copenhagen in December."

Helena Christensen, Danish supermodel and photographer who is supporting The Wave and going to Copenhagen with Oxfam, said:

"For so many of us, climate change is a distant idea belonging in the future but for millions of people in developing countries, it is a devastating reality.

"We can begin to change this by demanding that world leaders meeting in Copenhagen move towards cutting emissions and providing funding so that poor communities can protect themselves from climate change. By coming together at The Wave thousands of voices can be one loud clamour for urgent action at Copenhagen for the sake of generations to come."