EXTINCTION Rebellion (XR) activists launched a hunger strike outside the HQs of Britain’s main political parties today in a bid to pressure leaders to tackle the climate emergency.

Hunger strikers targeted the Labour, Lib Dem, Green, Conservative and Brexit Party HQs today, claiming they will go without food until their demands are met.

More than 200 activists have signed up in Britain, joining hunger strikers in 22 countries including Pakistan, Italy, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Austria and the US.

Outside the Lib Dem HQ in George Street, Westminster, Jeremy Watson, 68, told the Star he was joining the strike out of love for his grandchildren and the planet.

“I think we are possibly the first generation in the history of mankind where we are using up the resources of our children instead of building them resources,” he said.

Mr Watson, who works in international aid and development, said that the December 12 election presents a “fantastic opportunity” for all parties to address the climate emergency, stressing that Brexit should not be the focus.

Last week, XR activists handed in letters to each party calling on leaders to meet with them to discuss the group’s Three Demands Bill.

The demands require the government to declare a climate emergency, promote policies to halt biodiversity loss and reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025 and create a citizen’s assembly on climate and environmental injustice.

Activists are also going on a hunger strike to highlight the growing threat of food shortages.

“There are already over 800 million people worldwide living with hunger and starvation,” Dr Larch Maxey said outside the Lib Dem HQ.

“If we continue then food insecurity will be coming to everyone. It will come to the UK.”

Many strikers have committed to the action for one week, including Angus Rose, 50, who also intends to camp outside the Lib Dem office night and day.

“Understanding the science, understanding what will happen, how can one seriously not consider going on a hunger strike?” said Mr Rose, who works as a programmer.

The Green Party agreed to a meeting within hours of the protest, prompting XR to call off its “occupation” of the party’s HQ.