(Getty Images)

Activists have stuck to government buildings in the UK in protest of new oil and gas as the Elimination Uprising continues into London during a week of mass action. XR said scientists – dressed in white lab coats – took part in the demonstration on Wednesday, even posting scientific papers in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on Wednesday. It comes after XR activists blocked the entrance to Lloyd’s in London on Tuesday to protest insurance support for the fossil fuel industry. The previous day, protesters wore masks of politicians and rats as they began the week of action with demonstrations in the capital.

Basic points

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What about oil and gas in the UK?

The UK government has pledged to resume new fossil fuel projects in the North Sea just last week. In a long-awaited energy security strategy, Boris Johnson said: “We will make better use of oil and gas in our backyard, giving the North Sea energy fields a new lease of life.” The document tries to explain this during the climate crisis. “Pure zero is a smooth transition, not an immediate disappearance, for oil and gas,” he says. Harry Cockburn has more on the strategy – and criticism of it – here: Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 12:30 1649849335

Protest images of BEIS

See what’s happening outside the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Elimination Uprising Activists Demonstrate Outside the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Getty Images) Elimination Uprising Activists Demonstrate Outside the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Getty Images) Elimination Uprising Activists Demonstrate Outside the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Getty Images) Elimination Uprising Activists Demonstrate Outside the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Getty Images) Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 12:28 1649848352

“New production of fossil fuels puts us in danger”

According to Scientists for XR, Dr Abi Perrin is a microbiologist involved in the protest. “Science is clear – new fossil fuel production puts us all at risk. “Our government’s strategy promotes damage,” he was quoted as saying. Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 12:12 1649847812

Scientific papers were stuck in the BEIS building

XR scientists say Operation Energy and Industrial Strategy is targeted. The team says that scientific work is also stuck in the building: Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 12:03 1649846926

XR says scientists cling to government departments

Extinction Rebellion says scientists are “sticking to government departments” to demand that there be no new oil and gas: Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 11:48 1649846617

Here are some photos from what Extinction Rebellion recorded yesterday: (AFP via Getty Images) Extinction Rebellion activists protest at Lloyds headquarters in London (AFP via Getty Images) Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 11:43 1649844689

Meanwhile, climate activists elsewhere …

XR is not the only climate group in action today. Just Stop Oil says its members seized a tanker in Essex this morning: Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 11:11 1649843909

“The social contract is broken”

Following is the XR tweet today before a more planned action: Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 10:58 1649843189

What are XRs?

In anticipation of another day of protests in London, my colleague Joanna Taylor takes a look at what Extinction Rebellion is and their goals. Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 10:46 1649842469

“Why do you think people like me deserve to go to jail?”

Keir Starmer has been confronted by a young climate activist after his party called on the government to ban fossil fuel demonstrations across Britain. The opposition leader looked uncomfortable when Lauren MacDonald, a 21-year-old Scottish climate activist, asked him: “Why do you think people like me deserve to go to jail?” Zoe Tidman 13 April 2022 10:34