VIDEO: Just Stop Oil Activists Spray-Paint Charles Darwin’s Grave

Just Stop Oil activists spray-painted Charles Darwin’s grave in Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, Jan. 13, demanding that “world leaders” stop burning fossil fuels by 2030. (Credit: Just Stop Oil via Storyful)

Footage released by Just Stop Oil shows two activists spray-painting Darwin’s grave with the phrase “1.5 is dead,” in reference to the news that the world has exceeded the 1.5 degree warming limit agreed to by world leaders in Paris in 2015, according to the press release.

In the video, the activists say: “2024 was the hottest year on record. We have passed the 1.5 degree threshold that was supposed to keep us safe. Millions are being displaced, California is on fire and we have lost three-quarters of all wildlife since the 1970s. This is Darwin’s grave. He would be turning in his grave if we knew we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. Our government’s plans will bring us to three degrees of warming. This will destroy everything we love. World leaders must stop burning oil, gas and coal by 2030.”

The Metropolitan Police said that two women were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at Westminster Abbey.