Star Scaachi joins carbon protest

Greta Scacchi helps lead the Cut the Carbon marchers in Cardiff

Hollywood star Greta Scaachi and Maggot from Goldie Lookin' Chain were among a crowd welcoming an 80-day march against global warming as it reached Cardiff.

They were among more than 500 people who greeted Christian Aid's Cut the Carbon event.

A group of 20 protesters have so far walked 700 miles around the UK in protest at climate change.

Scaachi, 47, and her young son accompanied the march from Llandaff to Cooper's Field in the city centre.

We can choose to make a better world for all by reducing our carbon emissions Cut the Carbon marcher John Rowlands

She said: "I felt very proud to be marching today with these wonderful, brave heroes.

"I just think it's a wonderful display of conviction for 20 people to walk 700 miles, already.

She added: "This is the time to galvanise our efforts. I think change is going to happen."

The Cut the Carbon march aims to put pressure on the government to reduce UK carbon emissions by 5% year-on-year and to pledge to cut emissions by 80% by 2050.

Terra Naomi performed Say It's Possible, as she did at Live Earth

Maggot, who featured in Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, and Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan were also in Llandaff to meet the team of 20 Christian Aid marchers on Saturday, before heading to the city centre.

'Suffering the effects'

One, John Rowlands, 53, from Cardiff, told the crowd: "I'm proud to be the Welsh representative on the march."

He said: "I made a decision to walk 1,000 miles in solidarity with people in poor countries.

"They are already suffering from the effects of climate change. They have no choice - but we can choose to make a better world for all by reducing our carbon emissions."

Welsh singer Gwyneth Glyn sang Winter's Early, a song she had recorded specially for the Cut the Carbon march.

Terra Naomi ended the rally with the environmental song Say It's Possible that led former US Vice-President Al Gore to ask her to feature in the global environmental concert Live Earth.

The walkers will leave Wales this week for Bristol en route to the finishing point at the London Stock Exchange, where they are due on 2 October.

They come from the UK and developing countries, including Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil, El Salvador and Bangladesh.