Sunday 1 January 2023

XR announce a tactical change for 2023 - disruption no longer the primary tactic: 'relationships over roadblocks'

 In a press release this morning Extinction Rebellion announce a move away from disruption as a primary tactic. They say:

When XR burst onto the scene four years ago, few could have imagined the seismic shift it would bring about in the climate movement, the climate conversation, and the world at large. 

But despite the blaring alarm on the climate and ecological emergency ringing loud and clear, very little has changed. Emissions continue to rise and our planet is dying at an accelerated rate. 

The root causes? A financial system prioritising profits over life, a media failing to inform the public and hold power to account, and a reckless government entrenched in corruption and suppressing the right to protest injustice.

As we ring in the new year, we make a controversial resolution to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic. We recognise and celebrate the power of disruption to raise the alarm and believe that constantly evolving tactics is a necessary approach. What’s needed now most is to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance, to bring about a transition to a fair society that works together to end the fossil fuel era. Our politicians, addicted to greed and bloated on profits won’t do it without pressure.

We must be radical in our response to this crisis and determined in our efforts to address the climate and ecological emergency, even if it means taking a different approach than before. In a time when speaking out and taking action are criminalised, building collective power, strengthening in number and thriving through bridge-building is a radical act. XR is committed to including everyone in this work and leaving no one behind, because everyone has a role to play. This year, we prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks, as we stand together and become impossible to ignore.

The conditions for change in the UK have never been more favourable – it’s time to seize the moment. The confluence of multiple crises presents us with a unique opportunity to mobilise and move beyond traditional divides. No one can do this alone, and it’s the responsibility of all of us, not just one group. It may be uncomfortable or difficult, but the strength of all social, environmental, and justice movements lies in working together. As our rights are stripped away and those speaking out and most at risk are silenced, we must find common ground and unite to survive.

It’s no secret that those in power are hoarding wealth and power at the expense of ordinary people, while ignoring the consequences of their greed. Emissions continue to rise, but they couldn’t care less. But people do care, and changes to democracy that free and empower the voices of the people through Citizens Assemblies could balance the tables and bring about the positive societal tipping point we all need.

Choose Your Future – 21st April and beyond – The Big One – Houses of Parliament – 100,000 people. 

Read more here.

5 comments:

Trevor Ellis said...

Well, on the positive side, people will be able to go about their daily lives without it being disrupted by this group known as XR.

Anonymous said...

Tricky to maintain their approach when we are currently aware policies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in the UK just reduced our self sustainability. Without levelling up renewables but closing coal mines and not building nuclear power stations meant in real terms keeping Putin in wars. Ukranians then faced actual extinction with children dead in the streets. Meanwhile Extinction Rebellion are worried about causing some inconvenience.

Anonymous said...

If everyone used electricity and gas at home less and public transport was cheaper and more frequent we wouldn't need to destroy so much of the world's resources :(

Trevor Ellis said...

At one point in time, men gazed up into the sky and naturally wondered what lay beyond the clouds.
Now, men now what others didn't, and why?

Well, the answer is obvious and yet, despite all the talk about ''heat pumps'' and ''greener, cleaner energy'' no solution is yet to be found for the (manmade) problems on the ground.

Does that mean the situation is hopeless? no, because if people today, are able to do what others in the past weren't, by simply turning their thoughts into action, coupled with the advantage of having access to modern technology, exercising patience along with determination, success was eventually attained.
So, I say to Anonymous, try not to lose hope, because certain things that are currently difficult to do, such as creating a green economy that allows us and future generations to live without fear of destroying the planet and all who depend upon it, is achievable.
It just requires patience and a bit of faith in the people who'll work to turn our dream
into reality.

Anonymous said...

We don’t need a ‘green economy’ - we need people to use less energy and be less selfish - all this modern technology doesn’t help - even by posting these messages we are impacting on the worlds resources

For a single selfie, the CO2 emission calculated is 0.01*506.312 ≈ 5.06 gCO2.

The average carbon footprint of an email is 0.3g CO2e.

Charging one phone each day costs the following in carbon
Africa – 1.69 kgCO2e emitted per year by charging one phone each day
Asia – 1.07 kgCO2e per year
The Middle East – 0.99 kgCO2e per year
Australasia/Oceania – 0.81 kgCO2e per year
North and Central America – 0.62 kgCO2e per year
Europe – 0.54 kgCO2e per year
South America – 0.35 kgCO2e per year

Just one hour of videoconferencing or streaming, emits between 150 and 1,000 grams of carbon dioxide.