By Ruth Walton, The Green Shopper
A rebellion is underway. Extinction Rebellion activists are currently doing a grand job of forcing climate change into the media and onto the political agenda. With over 1000 arrests, it is shaping up to be the biggest civil disobedience in recent history. But there are always naysayers casting doubt on the effectiveness of direct action. Here are a couple of comments spotted online recently:
“I wholeheartedly support their aims in reducing climate change. But by disrupting the lives of ordinary working folk they won't achieve anything. They're targeting the wrong people.”
“This protest is futile & pathetic. A whole bunch of eco warriors. I bet you all fly on holidays, drive cars, how green us your carbon foot print. Get a life please, your only here once”
SUPPORTED BY ECO REBELS LIKE YOU
Support independent eco journalism that drives real change.Yes, the XR demonstrations have caused disruption on the streets. Yes, the police operation has cost millions of pounds. But it's important to remember that without protest and direct action, our world would be a very different place.
Do you think women should be allowed to vote? Maybe you think it’s OK to own another human? Or that people should be segregated based on the colour of their skin? From Abolitionists and Suffragettes to through to Occupy and XR, protest does make a difference. Direct action has paved the way for social changes leading to:
- The Abolition of Slavery
- End to Racial Segregation
- Votes for Women
- Sexual Equality (erm, ok we might still have a bit of work to do)
- Independence for Former Colonies
- End of Apartheid
It's important to stand up and be counted. How will the people in power ever listen if we don't make our voices heard? After the blockades in London, XR have had meetings with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell, and Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. On 30th April, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with Extinction Rebellion members. He was be joined by ministers from other departments. This is an extract from the XR press release following the meeting:
Extinction Rebellion representatives challenged Michael on the Government’s track-record on climate change and his party’s lack of action in declaring a climate and ecological emergency...
...The meeting ended without the promise of concrete action that Extinction Rebellion had requested of Michael Gove. Michael did however commit to discussing a Citizen’s Assembly with Sadiq Khan, but this is not enough.
On 1st May, Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion to declare a climate emergency, which was passed by MPs in an opposition day debate at the house of commons. This is in direct response to the recent school climate strike and protests by Extinction Rebellion. It feels as if the government are finally listening (although it'd be nice if they scrapped the third runway at Heathrow).
If you support the cause, but have not been able to join the protests in London, don’t despair: there’s a lot of stuff to do from the comfort of your home. Extinction Rebellion demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. You can take steps to help meet this target by voluntarily reducing your own carbon footprint! Here are ten things you can do to help XR achieve it's aims from the comfort of your own armchair:
1. Join your closest Extinction Rebellion group to help raise local awareness: https://rebellion.earth/act-now/local-groups/
1. Support Extinction Rebellion financially:
https://rebellion.earth/donate/
1. Write to your MP to demand action: https://www.writetothem.com/
1. Take the Flight Free 2020 pledge: https://www.flightfree.co.uk/pledge
https://westayontheground.blogspot.com/p/flight-free-2020.html
1. Switch to a green energy company. (could insert links/referral codes here)
1. Fight food waste! Try https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ for tips. It is estimated that the UK could save over 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by reducing food waste! 1. Replace your standard bulbs with LED lightbulbs. (could insert affiliate link here) 1. Switch to a more plant based diet. Try ordering an organic veg box to cut down on packaging and food miles. (could insert affiliate link here) 1. Achieving 'zero-waste' status can seem a bit daunting, so why not try going plastic-free for just one day a week? https://plasticfreetuesday.com/
1. Join Terracycle and help set up some unusual recycling collection points in your area. There are lots of free schemes for everything from crisp packets to contact lenses and toothbrushes. Find out more at https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/
Heartfelt thanks from this armchair activist to all the rebellious souls who have taken to the streets to get climate change noticed. This is an emergency. It's time to take action. In the words of youth strike leader Greta Thunberg:“I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is”
https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/faqs/
https://rebellion.earth/2019/04/30/the-international-rebellion-continues-statement-following-meeting-with-michael-gove/
PHOTO CREDIT:
Creative Commons image altered and reproduced courtesy of INFOUS on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/68642734@N05/14614293333/in/album-72157645599066783/
