The Times: Like Greta but wetter, the sewage activist striking for Windermere
A young campaigner’s lonely protest against pollution is gathering pace, inspired by Greta Thunberg
Like Greta Thunberg’s first climate strike five years ago, Matt Staniek’s first “sewage strike” was a low key affair. While setting up a folding table outside a water firm’s office in Windermere last week, a bypasser stopped by. “Hey mate, I support ya, but you’re causing a health and safety issue there,” he told Staniek.
Perched on a cistern outside United Utilities’ recently-opened information centre in the town, Staniek called the shop “greenwash” and said he would be there every Monday at 9am until the firm stops releasing sewage into Windermere.
“I was quite inspired by what Greta Thunberg did, she literally made this decision, to on a Friday sit outside the Swedish parliament. She has achieved people seriously talking about the future of young people, the future of climate change and the fact we are destroying our planet,” Staniek said.
The 27-year old, who started his Save Windermere campaign three years ago, said his message was sewage should not be entering England’s largest lake. “What the strike is about is very much a message that I’m here to stay. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to see the job done, and the job is to get the commitment on infrastructure investment.”
