Individuals make a difference
20.1 February 2020
“I realise something that I had forgotten, something I learned at the height of the 60’s, that my separate existence is an illusion. Ecology is flow. You and I are definitely part of the flow. Everything we do affects the flow and everything the flow does affects us. It doesn’t really matter what I read or think or write.”2
“Don’t judge me by my words which are many or my actions which are few – because if we wait for the meek to inherit the earth there won’t be anything left to inherit.”2
“In 1971, motivated by their vision for a more green and peaceful world, a crew of twelve set sail from Vancouver, Canada, in an old fishing boat. These activists believed a few individuals could make a difference. Their mission? To ‘bear witness’ to the US testing nuclear bombs off Amchitka island, Alaska, and prevent the test going ahead. Naming themselves ‘Greenpeace’, the crew declared to media:”1
“Our goal is a very simple, clear and direct one – to bring about a confrontation between the people of death and the people of life. We insist upon conserving the environment for our children and future generations”.1
COP21: Climate change march
20.2 February 2020
On 29th November 2015 some 50,000 people marched through central London to demand that global leaders attending the Paris climate change conference, known as COP21, take urgent action to tackle climate change and agree a long-term international deal to limit carbon emissions.
The event was the largest of about 2,500 demonstrations that took place around the world.1
The time is now rally
20.3 February 2020
On 26th June 2019 about 12,000 people gathered at a mass rally in Westminster to put pressure on politicians and urge them to act. At 2pm they rang alarm clocks, mobile phone alarms and sirens, and cheered loudly to symbolise “the time is now” Their message was loud and clear:2
“It’s time to end the UK’s contribution to climate change and pass ambitious laws that create a healthier environment for nature and people.”1
The Liberal Democrat, Sir Ed Davey, was among 195 MP’s who met their constituents. He said it was absolutely clear that the British public was telling politicians to get tough on climate change.2
Pupil climate strike protests
20.4 April 2020
On 20th September 2019 people around the world joined together in what is claimed to be the biggest climate mobilisation history to demand climate action.2 The school strike movement started by the Swedish school girl Greta Thunberg reached a culmination as millions of students demonstrated across the planet.
For the first time young people also called on adults to join them – and they were heard. Hundreds of millions of people around the world took to the streets in support.1 People protested from the Pacific Islands and Australia, across-south east Asia and Africa, and in Europe and the Americas.1 In cities and small villages people demanded an end the era of fossil fuels2 and urgent action to tackle global warming.1
More than 200 events were organised across Britain – including in cities such as Glasgow, Manchester and London. Organisers estimated that around 100,000 people attended climate strike rally in central London.3
The global message was clear –a powerful demand for an urgent step-change in action to cut emissions and stabilise the climate.1
“It’ll take everyone to secure a better future and avert the worst of the climate crisis. What happens next is up to us. No matter where you live, there’s a way to take action.”2
XR protests around the world
20.5 April 2020
Extinction Rebellion (XR) staged an “international rebellion” on 7th October 20192 with mass demonstrations in cities around the world. Its aim was to urge governments to take action on the climate crisis. In Britain activists successfully used a range of strategic road blocks to bring central London to standstill.1
“Because time is running out.
We’re almost at the point of no return.”3
Extinction Rebellion called on the UK Government to declare a climate and ecological emergency and to act immediately to halt the loss of wildlife and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2025. They also want a Citizens’ Assembly to participate on the process.1
“The governments are doing nothing.”3
Extinction Rebellion was officially launched in October 2018. It now boasts over 400 groups across 72 countries. XR believes that humanity is approaching a point of ecological collapse as a result of man-made climate change and describes itself as an “international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction”.2
MP Caroline Lucas stated that “the brave XR activists taking nonviolent action to protect the planet on which we all depend for our survival shouldn’t be arrested and charged. They should be applauded and they should be heard.”2
“ACT NOW!”2
“If not you, who? If not now, when?”3
And what have you done
20.6 April 2020
“This is really big stuff happening right under our noses – right now. I didn’t think that humans were capable of changing the basic physics and chemistry of this entire huge planet….it didn’t seem possible…but then I learned the story the glaciers were telling.”
“We are in the midst of a geologic scale change…and we humans are causing it.”
“When my daughter looks at me in 25- or 30-years’ time and says “What were you doing when global warning happened?” I want to be able to say I was doing everything I knew how to do.”
“We don’t have time. We have an opportunity now to face the greatest challenge of our generation.”2
