Vigils cancelled

The Melrose vigil group is now posting messages on the front of the former Royal Bank of Scotland building, rather than hold weekly silent vigils, due to the latest lockdown restrictions.

In solidarity with Greta Thunberg’s climate strikes, supported by millions of young people around the world, the Fridays For Future group is now displaying messages at the site to “draw attention to the continuing need for transformational lifestyle changes now, in response to the climate crisis, so that the planet and all life on it can have a future”.

Messages posted last Friday expressed disappointment at the lack of actions by SBC, following their declaration of a climate emergency last year.

They also expressed good wishes to climate activist Ms Thunberg, who celebrated her 18th birthday earlier this month.

A statement from the Melrose vigil group said: “The climate emergency cannot be cured with a vaccine, and as with Covid-19, it is the most vulnerable who are hit the hardest by climate change.

“We all have to take steps now, to reduce carbon emissions in our everyday lives.

“But government, business and local authorities have to play their part in more major ways, and there is little evidence of real leadership from them.”