One year ago today, more than 1,000 of us came together on Parliament Square to make a Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Government for its inaction on the climate and ecological emergency.
Greta Thunberg - then a scarcely-known 15-year-old who was breaking Swedish law by refusing to go to school due to inaction on the climate - was in attendance alongside Caroline Lucas MP, journalist and writer George Monbiot, Green MEP Molly Scott Cato and a select few notables.
The road in front of Parliament was blocked - and Extinction Rebellion was born.
Much has changed in the last year: for Extinction Rebellion, for Greta and Fridays For Future, and for the world. Much has not changed, though. And the consequences of inaction are becoming more dangerous every day. In the words of our Declaration of Rebellion:
“Humanity finds itself embroiled in an event unprecedented in its history. One which, unless immediately addressed, will catapult us further into the destruction of all we hold dear: this nation, its peoples, our ecosystems and the future of generations to come.
“The science is clear:- we are in the sixth mass extinction event and we will face catastrophe if we do not act swiftly and robustly. Biodiversity is being annihilated around the world. Our seas are poisoned, acidic and rising. Flooding and desertification will render vast tracts of land uninhabitable and lead to mass migration.”
Yesterday, the UN’s annual climate summit COP25 was ‘cancelled’ due to civil disobedience in Chile. The world can’t afford to wait for politicians to get their act together, the planetary emergency is here and it is happening now.
Time for #ElectionRebellion
In April, they said we shouldn’t block the roads to highlight the emergency because of Brexit - it didn’t happen. In October, they said we shouldn’t cause disruption because of Brexit - it didn’t happen.
But now, it’s a general election. Two thirds of Britons say climate change will affect their vote - these numbers indicate increasing public concern, even as politicians and government have failed to communicate the severity and vulnerability of our society.
This general election, Extinction Rebellion and those that care about the Climate and Ecological Emergency - be they bus drivers, doctors, electricians, farmers, breastfeeding mums, scientists, vicars, rabbis or teachers - will do everything they can to ensure that the real emergency is the defining issue of this general election.
We are planning a targeted campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience throughout the election period.
We are the last generation with a real opportunity to act to mitigate the effects of the Climate and Ecological Emergency. The policies of those forming our government over the next 5 years are critical to our chances of success.
As winter begins, rebels across the UK will engage in creative, funny, powerful and imaginative acts of rebellion to highlight the ultimate crisis of our time and catapult the Climate and Ecological Emergency to the top of the political agenda.
This is an historic moment. The science is telling us we could lose everything. What part will you play?
We all know corporations and the media will use their money and influence to have their say. But you can play your part in helping us speak for our Planet. Extinction Rebellion is a people-powered movement and we need your support.
A message to rebels
It’s only been 2 weeks since the October Rebellion, and it’s important we take all the rest and regeneration we need. As we rise back into action, please think about how you can contribute to the XR General Election Rebellion.
From outreach and visioning, direct actions, flyering, social media campaigns, and directly holding candidates to account for their policies … there are many ways you can act - but taking the time to rest and ready yourself for our next international rebellion in Spring could be no less important. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!
See the full message to rebels here.
Six months have passed since Parliament declared a Climate and Environmental Emergency
According to the UN, we have less than 18 months to make the necessary changes to avoid disaster.
This isn’t just about sea level rise or the Arctic: this is about the extreme vulnerability we face as an island which is chronically unable to feed itself - it’s about our vulnerability to the kind of weather we saw in the summer of 2018 which baked crops in the fields.
Tomorrow, Friday 1 November will mark six months since Parliament declared an environment and climate emergency. In June, Theresa May announced that the 2050 target would be strengthened to net zero, but just days ago Ministers rejected a call for this target to include aviation and shipping. We’ve had a new Environment Bill just beginning its passage through Parliament, but as yet there is no sign of an emergency plan from Government.
#WhereIsYourPlan?
From our Peoples’ Assemblies, on 11 October in Trafalgar Square, our movement presented an Emergency People’s Speech, demanding to know from Government Departments, “Where are your emergency plans?” We have had no response. We assume that is because there is no emergency plan. If the driver falls asleep at the wheel and you can’t wake them up, it’s time to take the wheel.
Failure to act commensurately would have catastrophic consequences. This election is therefore crucial as it will determine the response of our new Government. So we ask politicians - #WhereIsYouPlan?
For better retention of water in the landscape, for growing more of our own staples, for helping people who want to get back to the land to do so, for radically reducing our obscene levels of food waste: where’s your plan for making this country safe in the face of steadily escalating climate chaos?
Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill
We will be calling on politicians to focus on the real emergency and people will be asking their local parliamentary candidates to pledge to introduce the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, more commonly referred to as the ‘Three Demands Bill’, if they are elected. To find more about what's in the Bill and why we have created one, read on after the Three Demands on our Demands page.
As a non-partisan movement we will highlight the need for a Citizens’ Assembly as the vehicle to move beyond the political gridlock on this most vital of emergencies.
This election is a crucial opportunity for candidates from all parties to tell the truth about the climate and ecological emergency. With your support, we can make the Climate and Ecological Emergency the defining issue of this election.
