Camino To COP is a multi-faith group walking from London to Glasgow to raise awareness of climate crisis. On 5 September 2021, 40 walkers will set off from London and from Bristol a few days later on a 500 mile journey to the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and will reach Leek on Sunday, 26th September. On that day there will be a celebration of drumming, story-telling and poetry to welcome them, as the culmination of the Moorlands Great Big Green Weekend.
The walk has been called “Camino To COP” in reference to pilgrimages made since medieval times. It is inspired by the faith tradition of pilgrimage and great justice marches of the past – such as the Jarrow March in the UK, the Salt March in India and the March on Washington in the US. The aim is to share personal, human stories and inspire others to add their voices to the growing global chorus demanding that governments treat the climate crisis as the emergency that it is. The pilgrimage is also fundraising to empower activist groups in areas most impacted by climate change to join the conversation themselves. People can donate at https://caminotocop.com/
“Here in the UK we are already seeing increased flooding and extreme weather, and in the Global South people are already suffering in much greater ways,” says Steph, from Birmingham, who is walking the entire Camino from London to Glasgow. “We need our government, as well as those of other powerful countries, to step up and make the changes needed to help us minimise the deadly effects of climate change and adapt to the challenges it brings".
“How wonderful and fitting that the walkers have chosen Leek as their halfway-stopping off point to Glasgow. We hope to learn from their experiences, share a few of ours and in the meantime offer them rest and hospitality on their journey. Fighting for change and for climate justice can be hard-going at times, and it is possible to become dispirited. But ultimately their message of hope is one we must all share; like them we believe that whatever obstacles we find put in our way can be overcome.” said Mark Johnson, one of the organisers of the Great Big Green Weekend. "Their arrival in town will be the ideal finale for our Green Week activities.”