As people of all ages, backgrounds and origins have joined together as the Extinction Rebellion in London as a “wake-up call” to the UK and Parliament – climate breakdown and ecological collapse threaten our existence – this is a good time to reflect on what we are doing, and how our actions are disabling the climate for future generations.
As part of the Extinction Rebellion, and unable to protest in London myself, I have actively followed and supported those in protest.
Yesterday, I watched Greta Thunberg address the European Parliament committee on environment, with genuine fear for the planet and her future and the future of all today’s children.
This morning, I watched the live-stream of a group of under 17s (XR Youth) holding a banner reading “ARE WE THE LAST GENERATION?” on the pavement outside Heathrow. Heavy police presence stopped the children standing on the road.
“I’m Felix, I’m 14 years old. I’m doing this because when I have children I want to be able to tell them I did everything I could to protect their futures.”
“I’m Samar Faraj, I’m 14, and I’m doing this because there are things that need doing that aren’t being done, and in 30 years’ time, I don’t want to be looking back on this and regretting not doing everything I could do to help prevent the disasters we’re facing.”
Extinction Rebellion Youth is a network for everyone born after 1990: “We are a generation that have never known a stable climate and that will be defined by how the world responds to the climate and ecological crisis.”
“I’m Maya Rivett-Martinez, I’m 15 , and the constant fear for my future is what gives me the need for change.”
“I’m Mia, I’m 13. I’m doing this because something has to change, I’m being told to make decisions about my future when it can’t even be guaranteed the earth has one.”
The global aviation industry produces 2% of all human-induced carbon dioxide emissions[1]. If global aviation was a country, it would rank in the top ten emitters. Unfortunately, the emissions from this industry continue to increase at a truly alarming rate. Parliament has approved a policy for airport expansion. The UK Government is moving in completely the wrong direction.
“To every member of this planet, I’m here because I love you. What would you do when you sincerely feared for those you loved?” Oscar, 17.
“My name is Nathan Hunter, I’m 15, and I’m protesting today because I don’t want to wake up in 15 years and regret that I didn’t do more to stop the climate crisis. I don’t want to live in a future defined by an unstable climate; A world where future generations may not be able to live happy, healthy lives – or even have lives at all.”
It is IMPERATIVE that we ALL do what we can to fight for these amazing young individuals and their futures. THIS is what all the protesters are fighting for!
THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET!
THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN!
THE FUTURE OF THE GENERATIONS TO COME!
I hope that many of you managed to watch the Sir David Attenborough TV programme, “Climate Change – The Facts”, yesterday evening.
“If we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade, we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies. What happens now and in these next few years will profoundly affect the next few thousand years”.
Sir David Attenborough
It featured the ex-NASA scientist, Dr James Hansen. In a letter dated yesterday, Dr James Hansen, who first alerted the world to the dangers of climate change more than 30 years ago, appeals to the British people.
“I write in recognition that citizens throughout the U.K., led increasingly by the young – those who stand to lose most – now are rising to demand that national leaders develop and adhere to a viable path away from calamitous global warming.”
To every parent, and every grandparent, “I urge you in particular to take a stand, so as to not let the full burden of responsibility befall our children. Arm yourself with information of the highest quality, think for yourself, and then exercise your full intellectual and moral capacity to help your nation and our planet survive.
“I have no doubt that the era of fossil fuels is drawing to a close. But questions remain as to the speed of the coming transition and, in direct consequence of that speed, the nature of what will be left in its wake. I cannot answer, in particular, whether our civilization will survive in any recognizable form the the assault on nature and the human dislocation attending loss of our planet’s great coastal cities that we of necessity will confront with continued unarrested climate change.” Dr James Hansen
In his letter, to the British people, published in full below, Hansen sets out the truth about the ecological emergency: “The foregoing, accordingly, constitutes my best brief effort to explain our present, serious, global, climate crisis. I will have failed if, upon its review, the reader decides to shirk his or her fundamental responsibility. Now, more than before, we need to bring to bear our full acumen, time, and resources so as to demand and forge a viable future.”
His full letter can be found here.
Some Individuals, Groups and Organisations to follow:
- Plan B links mobilisation and litigation to hold power to account for #ClimateBreakdown Facebook Twitter
- Extinction Rebellion Website Facebook Twitter
- Greta Thunberg Facebook Twitter
- IPCC Reports
- XR Youth is a network for everyone born after 1990 – they are a generation that have never known a stable climate and that will be defined by how the world responds to the climate and ecological crisis. Growing fast, they have been working on bringing as many young people into Extinction Rebellion as possible in the build up to April 15th, to make sure their voice is heard and is truly representative. XR Youth is about connection, learning and youth voice – they’ll be developing youth focused resources, providing mentoring and learning opportunities; working alongside other great youth campaigns and connecting young people to help amplify their voices!
(I will be adding to these in the coming days)
[1] https://www.atag.org/facts-figures.html