Hello John
Last month was the hottest on record for England and Wales. Last year was the hottest year ever, across the globe. Those in power don’t seem to care, but you do.
You have shown your love and courage through more than 130 actions since the start of the year. Here are some of the highlights.
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We said no to more private flights costing the earth. Farnborough Airport calls itself the "largest business aviation airport in the UK" yet most flights taking off from there go to holiday destinations. Private jets are up to 30 times more carbon intensive than normal airliners. Together with Greta Thunberg, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Alton Climate Action Network and others, we marched against plans to nearly double private jet flights to 70,000 a year.
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We showed up the hypocrisy of our national institutions. London's Science Museum are sponsored by Shell, BP and Adani. In a remarkable bit of greenwashing, Adani sponsor the museum's green energy gallery at the same time as spending £8 billion on a new coal mine. The Museum’s own due diligence showed that Adani is accused of environmental crimes, human rights abuses and corruption.
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We challenged banks that fuel climate catastrophe. Since the Paris Agreement, Barclays has supported fossil fuels with $190 billion of investments. XR Tyneside joined Barclays at a Wealth Management Launch Party to show them what we think. Interested to know more about Barclays’ fossil fuel investments? Here's a two-minute explainer.
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We reminded leaders’ of their promises. Five years ago, Sheffield Council declared a climate emergency and resolved to cut emissions. Had they been on target, emissions would now be nearly 50% less. In reality, they have managed a meagre 3% reduction. XR Sheffield led a rally to the Town Hall, staging a die-in and disrupting Sheffield’s full council.
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We asked for a better response to the local effects of climate breakdown. The second half of 2023 was the wettest since records began. As a result, towns like Stratford-upon-Avon are suffering from ever-more frequent severe flooding. Local activists called on the government to invest in renewable energy and an adaptation strategy to minimise flooding and protect homes.
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We demanded long-term system change. Both the climate emergency and conflict - such as that in Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Sudan and many, many more - are rooted in oppression and perpetuated by institutions and corporations that profit from injustice. We marched together with other movements for peace.
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We challenged the insurers profiting off climate chaos. The global insurance giants have the power to stop climate criminals. With the Insure Our Future coalition, we took to the streets for a week of joy, rage, power and protest that spanned 27 countries and six continents.
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We targeted the worst insurers. A week after we sent a letter to more than 40 insurers in the City of London warning they could face targeted protests unless they met our demands, we occupied the iconic headquarters of Tokio Marine, Probita, Travellers, Zurich and Talbot (pictured).
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We took to the streets across the UK, including in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Bridgend, Chelmsford, Chipping Norton, Leicester, Manchester, Middlesbrough and Tunbridge Wells. Find out more.
AIG was the world’s tenth largest fossil fuel insurer in 2022, insuring almost 30% of US coal production. They haven’t ruled out insuring some of the world's most controversial new oil projects, despite dozens of other insurers committing to staying away. XR Scotland occupied the office of AIG in Glasgow.
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And we made a difference! Major insurer Probitas1492 have now confirmed that they will not insure the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) or the West Cumbria coal mine – after a week of peaceful protest from XR and members of the Insure Our Future coalition.
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Let's keep going.
Love and courage,
XR UK
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