EXTINCTION Rebellion and Youth Strike 4 Climate are holding a protest in Southampton city centre.

The groups say the city will be threatened by food shortages, air pollution and rising sea levels if action is not taken to combat climate change.

They will be protesting this Friday to demand that the government takes concrete action to combat ecological destruction and climate change.

The event will run from 11am to 4pm.

Meeting at the Bargate, protesters from all strands of life will walk out of their schools, universities and workplaces to demand action and bolder policy commitments from the government.

Spokesman for Extinction Rebellion, Matt Ward, said: “This is a unique opportunity to bring this conversation into our own lives. Tell your colleagues, managers, store owners, lecturers, fellow students and friends.”

“The worldwide youth strikes for climate have been enormously successful in helping push climate conversations into the mainstream media.

“But we need to go further. even after the international rebellion last month, our government is refusing to commit to taking the necessary action to slow climate breakdown.

“Parliaments’ declaration of a climate emergency earlier in May is one great step, but it means nothing if it is not followed up with policies reflecting the urgency of the situation Time is running out for the planet.”

Activists are being encouraged to bring plants of all shapes and sizes to decorate Southampton High Street and make it green.

Following the groups “Week of Rebellion” protests in London, the environmental activists have seen a surge of interest with more than 100 people attending one of their recent meetings.

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, will make an address at 1.30pm.

Southampton’s pollution-battling Green City Charter is to be launched next month after it was “called-in” in March.

Launching on June 20, its details are yet to be revealed but it will coincide with National Clean Air Day.

The news comes after the original launch of the Green City Charter was cancelled after the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) called the document back in to be debated further.