Extinction Rebellion 2019

Over recent years, environmental concern has increased: rarely is there a day where it isn’t in the news. Organisations like Extinction Rebellion(XR) have separated themselves from the traditional ways of demanding change, instead organising effective demonstrations with a lasting impact. Quoted from their official website, ‘Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse.’ They follow a set of three key commands: ‘Tell the Truth’, ‘Act Now’ and ‘Beyond Politics’.

Joining XR

We first asked Tobias, a member of the Hastings and St. Leonards Extinction Rebellion group, about how he got involved. He heard about the organisation on the news and joined, having seen climate change issues when working in Cambodia where it has already had a severe impact, especially on farmers’ crop patterns. Tobias says many in his group had been activists through petitions and writing to MPs but felt there needed to be a ‘different model of change’. ‘Disruption is the only way to make the toxic system we live in change,’ he says. They hope for a systemic change where governmental investment decisions are different.

He felt anger and sadness about the crisis and said that he would ‘prefer not to sit on a road and be arrested’ but ‘can’t see any other choice currently’. Those who inspire Tobias include the Civil Rights Movement in America and Martti Ahtisaari. Local people in his group who have given so much time, energy and creativity for the cause are also an inspiration as ‘you can be inspired at many levels’.

Actions and Personal Experiences

Participating in XR has allowed Tobias to become involved in more activities including ‘a funeral for life’. They’ve built a pink boat which goes to their events and is often a conversation starter. ‘People do stop and go “Why’s there a pink boat?” and then you can engage in the conversation.’ He tells us how XR prefers visual events that will catch the eyes of any onlookers. Tobias says the group gets both positive and negative feedback from the public but even the negative comments means there is an opportunity for change because people are at least thinking about the issues.

However, XR has had split opinions over actions to take: Tobias tells us the video of the protester stopping a tube train from leaving was ‘the main one that a lot of people didn’t agree with.’ He explains XR is a young organisation and even though the majority disagreed with the idea, this action still went ahead. However, Tobias says he respects the decision as activists are feeling a sense of urgency to act for the planet.

In October, XR held an action targeting the BBC as they saw their coverage of climate change as very poor. They were keen to make the BBC aware that they weren’t ‘reflecting the importance of this issue.’ Tobias was involved with the London demonstrations and talks about having a ‘mix of emotions’ as being arrested was a new experience for him but he felt pride and happiness for standing up for what he believed in, with like-minded people.

XR’s Objectives and its Impacts

XR aims demonstrations at the government and people alike: some are aimed at the political economic system - like Westminster - and some the people - because ‘we are all going to have to change’.

‘I think the climate conversation has changed massively,’ we are told, ‘I think a lot of that is to do with XR’. However, he agrees not all of it has to do with XR –some political parties have been ‘bashing away for a long time making the ground work’. There is no doubt that, within the last 18 months, the view on climate change has changed: ‘I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was making some change’.

Although XR does not advocate for policies, they have three key demands: Tell the Truth – ‘the government needs to tell us as the citizens just how bad it is’. Act Now – ‘do massive changes that will allow net zero carbon.’ And lastly, Beyond Politics – ‘We don’t wait for thirty years to get an agreement on climate change that people ignore, we say that we as a country can do this now and we hope others will follow suit’.

‘I would say it is absolutely important for everybody to be active on climate change issues,’ he starts, ‘and doing the recycling is not enough, it is much more structural than this.’ Tobias believes young people are the ‘bedrock of any movement’. He encourages us to ‘be active, have conversations with people, think about your lifestyle and get involved.’ Whether this be participating in climate strikes or starting a conversation, it’s clear that both Tobias and the organisation as a whole are keen to raise awareness. ‘It’s coming and the future looks very scary.’

 

 

By Katie-may Bridges + ...