Activist Benjamin Buse, who lives in Rodney Stoke, participated in the Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride, an international movement aimed at safer cycling.

The ride took place on Saturday 6th July after a week of record-breaking temperatures, Monday 17.01C, Tuesday 17.18C and Thursday 17.23C

Speaking of his experience cycling daily commute along the A371 and the A39 around Wells he said: "As cyclists we daily face the vulnerability of cars passing fast and close, along the roads including the villages we all face air and noise pollution, and dangerous speeds, with 20 mph shown to greater reduce risk of death and improve wellbeing for local people".

Studies have found a person is around five times more likely to be killed when hit by a vehicle travelling at around 30mph than by a vehicle at 20mph.

He went on to explain why he took part with 'Just Stop Oil' and 'No New Oil' written on his body "We are all vulnerable to climate change including deadly heatwaves, droughts, flooding and global repercussions".

In 2022 heat waves resulted in 3,271 excess deaths.

He continued "We feel heightened vulnerability as the government is failing to protect us, the committee on climate change found the government failing".

The committee report published 28th June 2023 noted the "Expansion of fossil fuel production is not in line with Net Zero" and as Bristol airport won its legal fights to expand against local wishes "there should be no net airport expansion across the UK".

A Lancet report detailed the detrimental impact on young people's health from climate anxiety and governmental failure.

Benjamin further explained as non-violent protesters, he feels they are vulnerable to 'repressive' laws, with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and Public Order Act 2023 combined with civil injunctions.

Councils have taken out injunctions and oil and refinery corporations preventing protests at oil refineries, Shell HQ and Shell petrol stations.

He concluded by saying "It's important that we acknowledge the fragility of life and the immense value of every person, as we consider the risks from traffic, climate change, and erosion of freedoms and civil liberties".

Just Stop Oil have recently undertaken slow marches in Bath, Chippenham and Bradford-on-Avon and a number from the southwest are currently undertaking slow marches in London, with five arrested on 10th July 2023. They demand that the government halts all new licences and consents for oil, gas and coal projects in the UK.

Since the Just Stop Oil campaign launched on 14th February 2022, there have been over 2,200 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison.