A climate change conversation will give Sidmouth residents the chance to send a message to world leaders at an emergency summit at the United Nations.

The event on The Esplanade on Sunday (September 21) is one of thousands being organised across the globe to discuss the issues before a petition is submitted.

Organisers hope the event will draw attention to and engage those both concerned and sceptical about climate change.

“In Sidmouth, we love island nations, especially those who, unlike us, have no higher ground to retreat to,” said Robert Crick.

“At the eleventh hour Sid Valley residents and visitors from far and wide will start from wherever we happen to be to walk, cycle, paddleboard, skateboard or march to The Esplanade.

“On the beach, we will engage in a climate change conversation from about noon.

“This is a chance to share the knowledge, the questions, the wisdom, the doubts, the hopes and fears of as many residents and visitors as possible.

“At 1.30pm, the tide will start coming in and all participants can decide whether to sign a petition to our representatives at the United Nations, and what message to send to other sea-level communities around the world, where it is not just the tide and the waves that are rising.

“Some of us may plunge into the sea, or make music or art works or even speeches and plan future events. This is a leaderless, open, democratic conversation.”