Local residents have removed a Greenpeace mural from a wildfire-scorched hillside, sparking a dispute over environmental protest tactics.
Key facts
- •A local resident removed a Greenpeace mural from a wildfire-damaged mountain.
- •Senedd member Janet Finch-Saunders described the mural as environmental vandalism.
- •Greenpeace stated the paint used was water-based and safe for grass, plants, and soil.
- •The group claimed the artwork was intended to draw attention to the climate crisis.
- •Greenpeace urged the prime minister to consider the link between oil and gas drilling and wildfire devastation.
Residents have removed a Greenpeace mural painted on a mountain side previously damaged by wildfires. The action followed criticism from local officials and residents who labeled the protest as environmental vandalism.
Criticism of the protest
Janet Finch-Saunders, a Senedd member for Bangor Conwy Môn, condemned the mural as "environmental vandalism." She stated that burnt hillsides should not be used as a canvas for political protest. A local resident, identified as Ward, stated he took "great pleasure" in removing the artwork, questioning the group's commitment to "leave no trace" principles.
Greenpeace response
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, stated the artwork was intended to highlight the climate crisis and the risks posed to communities. She emphasized that the paint used was water-based, temporary, and safe for the environment, noting it was applied only to areas where fire had already destroyed vegetation. Hamid argued that the true threat to the area is extreme weather driven by fossil fuels, not the paint used for the protest.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
