Whatever you may think of Extinction Rebellion, these are people who have, for no personal gain but indeed personal risk and hazard to themselves - sacrificed their summer holidays to highlight not just a worthy cause but the worthiest of causes: saving us all from ourselves.

Extinction Rebellion are not a bunch of rabid drop outs with nothing better to do but cause mayhem: they come from all walks of life - doctors, scientists, police, teachers. They are professionals. Giving up their own time to stand up and be counted for what they believe.

They’re not in it for the money - nor the notoriety - but to try and make a difference. An improbable task to steer the behemoth of big business or oil tanker of avarice and greed away from the rocks of climate catastrophe and apocalyptic doom. The climate protesters aren’t just right - but to be commended for their selfless deeds keeping the plight of the planet in the public eye and pressure on government with their protests.

How easy it is for politicians to move when they want to. Only this week, in response to a single fatality involving an e-scooter, transport minister Michael Ellis ordered a crackdown on the zero emission electric vehicles. Which is a pity since, with record pollution in the capital and major cities, zero polluting electric vehicles are to be encouraged not demonised. Small matter then that petrol and diesel cars-which kill thousands of people every year on our roads - will not face the axe. On that front the government turns a blind eye:

The battle to save planet earth is one we have to win. Yet so far, the government’s response has been feeble and cynical.

We all know the pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050 is utterly worthless: at best it means doing nothing for the next 30 years. At worst it means fudging the rules by buying carbon credits or falling by its own sword - not even bothering to adhere to its own targets.

But the tide of climate meltdown will wait for no one. As politicians jostle and squirm, disaster looms.

Dave Degen

Whippendell Road, Watford