Published: 11:11 EDT, 25 June 2020 | Updated: 11:23 EDT, 25 June 2020
Extinction Rebellion's spokeswoman has quit the protest group to become a nuclear power campaigner.
Zion Lights, 36, has left the climate change cause, which brought London to a standstill last year, to join pro-nuke outfit Environmental Progress.
The former XR communications head said she had felt ‘duped’ after being surrounded by anti-nuclear campaigners until she read more into the radioactive fuel.
Zion Lights, pictured in mask and speaking at an event, has quit Extinction Rebellion after deciding nuclear power is the future
Mother-of-two Zion said: ‘The facts didn't really change, but once I understood them I did change my mind.’
The switch took non-campaigners by surprise given her new role seems entirely at odds with her old position.
Zion, who was born in the West Midlands and given her unusual name as a baby, said: ‘I have a long history of campaigning on environmental issues, most recently as a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion UK.
‘Now, I have quit the organisation to take up a position as a campaigner for nuclear power.’
Extinction Rebellion protesting in London back in February earlier this year
Zion Lights, 36, is best known for leading Extinction Rebellion’s media team but has other strings to her bow.
She is the author of the The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting and has been dubbed Britain’s Greenest Mother.
Zion, who is married with two children and lives in Devon, has also presented a TEDx talk on the importance of stargazing.
She also has a Masters Degree in Science Communication from The University of the West of England
The Environment Progress site suggests she joined their group on Sunday, with her profile dated that day.
Zion, who was grilled on the Andrew Neil Show last year, added to City Am: ‘Surrounded by anti-nuclear activists, I had allowed fear of radiation, nuclear waste and weapons of mass destruction to creep into my subconscious. I realised I had been duped into anti-science sentiment all this time.’
It is an astonishing turnaround since her views in 2014 when she said there was no clear answer on the safety of nuclear power.
There was little reaction from Extinction Rebellion today after the news of her transfer was published.
Its website dodges the question on what it thinks about nuclear power saying it wanted to welcome ‘a variety of views’.
The group continues: ‘We believe a social movement is best built as a “broad church” and that respectful discussions should take place within the movement on a variety of topics.’
Zion has previously spoken about being worried about the environment since she was a child.
She was inspired after seeing an advert on television which said ‘it is not too late’.
Recounting the experience, she said: ‘I remember seeing it and having the horrible feeling of what if we are letting it be too late? "
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