UK protesters condemn Scott Morrison's climate inaction

Protesters in London. Credits: Reuters The Australian government has been condemned for inaction on climate change, at a protest in London sparked by anger over the country's devastating bushfires. Hundreds of people gathered in central London to denounce Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Protesters chanted slogans outside the Australian High Commission and banners read "Stop Killing our Planet (PLEASE)" and "Inaction against climate change, that's just not cricket". Extinction Rebellion protesters joined the demonstration, blocking the road, banging drums and holding up traffic. Londoner Peter Cole, 76, held up a sign saying "Climate Change Denier Scott Morrison Fiddles while Australia Burns". "I'm here because the Australian government is doing absolutely nothing to combat climate change. In fact they're largely denying it and they need to be put under a lot of pressure..." Australia weakened its commitment to the UN Paris climate accord last year, however the Prime Minister has repeatedly rejected criticism his government is not doing enough. On Friday, he told a Sydney radio station it was disappointing that people were conflating the bushfire crisis with Australia's emission reduction targets. "We don't want job-destroying, economy-destroying, economy-wrecking targets and goals, which won't change the fact that there have been bushfires or anything like that in Australia," he said. Australia has warmed by about 1C since records began in 1910, NASA climate scientist Kate Marvel said this week. "This makes heat waves and fires more likely," she said on Twitter. "There is no explanation for this - none - that makes sense, besides emissions of heat-trapping gases." Meanwhile the CEO of German engineering giant Siemens said it will decide by Monday on its involvement in the development of the controversial Adani coal mine in Queensland. Joe Kaeser was speaking after meeting climate activist Luisa Neubauer. Reuters