During question time on the April 24 the government failed to acknowledge our actions over the past few weeks, and in turn disregarded the demands and needs of those over whom you govern.

On the April 30, Michael Gove also failed to respond to our representatives appropriately, focusing only on what the government are already doing, not what more could be done.

We, the youth, are writing to make it clear that this will not be stood for. We acknowledge and appreciate the steps that have been taken in meeting with us, as well as in declaring an environment and climate emergency, but this is not enough.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. We are working against a ticking clock and the time for discussion has passed, action is essential if we are to ensure any prospect of a future.

By declaring an environment and climate emergency, you have come part way to meeting our first demand, and this is only meaningful if followed by action:

1. Tell The Truth – Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.

2. Act Now – to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emission to net zero by 2025.

3. Beyond Politics – create and be led by a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

The government’s inaction up to this point has compelled us to act, and although we do not want to be doing this, we feel we have no choice.

By meeting our demands, a future could be secured for not only our generation but all those still to come, but not doing so will condemn us further.

We are currently locked onto your gates and in doing this, hope to highlight our dependency on the government’s actions and our desperation. We will be here for three hours; in this time, we hope you will hear us and choose to act appropriately.

Declaration is only the first step of the many necessary to secure our futures, and we will not stop fighting until we see these steps implemented. If we do not see change in the coming weeks, we will have no choice but to escalate our actions further.

We have little time left and the world is watching, we are watching, and we are asking; seize this chance, honour the platform and power you have been democratically given and implement the urgent action necessary to save our futures.

With hope and determination,

Extinction Rebellion Youth.