During a speech, Wivenhoe’s new mayor, Jon Guy, said: “With every day that passes, the threat posed to our planet by the climate breakdown becomes more evident. We have never been in more need of hope than today. 

“In the past week, a team from Durham University released new research that warned the polar ice caps are under extreme threat unless we can tackle rising global temperatures.  

“However, having lived through a year where we have breached the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Agreement, the team warns that to avoid a catastrophic melting of the ice caps, and with it a significant rise in sea level, global warming needs to be reduced to just 1 degree.” 

During its stay at the Old Grocery in Wivenhoe, the community added a patch of the old oak at the King George V playing field, which several members are trying to save from being chopped down. 

Mr Guy said: “Unless urgent action is taken in the years to come, our children and grandchildren will not set foot on the quay where we currently stand. 

“Indeed, they will only be able to come to this spot by boat. The barrier 500 yards away is now being activated monthly adding to the realisation that Wivenhoe is not immune to the threats the world faces. 

“Wivenhoe Town Council declared a climate emergency some years ago, and the climate impact of the decisions we make is at the heart of what we do. 

“As individuals, we can take our own actions to play our part in the climate fight, but real change will only come from national government, and the hope has to be that tangible steps will be agreed later this year at the next COP meeting in Brazil. 

“The Coat of Hopes has sought to shine a light on the need for real and urgent action, and those efforts are growing in importance.” 

The coat is continuing its journey to Southend after taking the ferry to Rowhedge on Sunday afternoon.