Email: press@risingup.org.uk

Phone: +447305700176, +447804743058, +447944894190; +447561098449; +447549766448; +447904735749; +447986671716; +447918165046; +447479234522

Website: https://rebellion.earth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR  #ExtinctionRebellion

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extinctionrebellion/

Photos/videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m1v7Cs8JFkDM1gHp45OF-NwwhLzPZJO8

NEW – What emergency? https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/the-emergency/  

In recent weeks, the environment has risen to the top of the political agenda and the truth is beginning to be spoken. This has culminated in the UK Parliament declaring an Environment and Climate Emergency – two days after Scotland and Wales.

However, too much of the focus has been on greenhouse gases and climate change. We also face an ecological crisis – the sixth mass extinction – which is as dangerous for our planet as climate change. The UN IPBES report on biodiversity released on Monday shows that our way of life is causing nature to collapse.

The report delivers a stark message that humanity is engaged in the mass annihilation of other species with whom we share our home.

This collapse in biodiversity also poses a major risk to the future of humanity as the biodiversity of plants cultivated for food and the global population’s health are both under severe threat.

With this devastating news comes an incredible opportunity: a chance to help nature heal.

Because of the colossal shift in public attitudes within the last fortnight, it is now becoming politically realistic to rethink how we produce food and relate to the rest of the natural world. We should not only be seeking to protect what is left but also to restore what was lost.

Thanks to thousands of people who put their bodies on the line for Extinction Rebellion’s International Rebellion, with more than 1,000 people willingly arrested to raise the alarm on this cause, people are ready for change. Any politician would be mistaken to ignore the public’s change of heart.

We are now the defacto stewards of all life in the known universe. And we are running out of time. We have only one choice before us: Extinction or Rebellion.

Dr Alison Green, National Director (UK) Scientists Warning and spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said:

“The UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report is the most damning of its kind and reveals our consistent and extensive failures to address the accelerating loss of biodiversity. It is both shaming and shocking. Little or no progress has been made towards halting extinctions, loss of habitat or restoration of ecosystems, within safe ecological limits or sustainable production and consumption.

“We must radically transform the ways in which we live with nature and to do so will require evidence-based and science-led interventions by the public, the private sector and the government.

“Human behaviours, including our reliance on degenerative as opposed to regenerative practices, manifest in land use change, which is the major cause of what is now a rapidly accelerating loss of biodiversity. The failures to make progress show that it is our collective duty now to reject complacent and inadequate responses and to rebel. The future of all life is at stake.”

Lorna Greenwood, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said:

“The natural world is collapsing because of how we live and we will go with it unless we act now. We must accept that we can’t go on as we are. Not only are we destroying nature but we’re worsening our own health and making it harder for us to feed ourselves. It’s time to rethink how we grow food, travel and look after the countryside.

“It may mean hard choices but the rewards are enormous. Within our lifetime we could see nature restored and our children’s future secured. The alternative is not an option. We have no choice but to rebel until our world is healed.”

Notes to editors

About Extinction Rebellion:

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction, global pollution, and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable if rapid action is not taken.

Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by their Government.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

1. Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

UK website: https://rebellion.earth/

International website: https://xrebellion.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR hashtag #ExtinctionRebellion

Declaration of Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/declaration/

Get involved

Get involved in Extinction Rebellion’s other events

• In the UK, come to one of our events, join the Rebellion Network and let us know how you can help out
• Start a group where you are – locally in the UK or in your country around the world
• Find your local group: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11jUqqjTHMThksd4KbvGGzb3I3Cr3PkBl&usp=sharing
• Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites
• We are holding Collaborative Leadership Calls to help coach people to improve their leadership skills and capacities
• And while your time and energy are of most importance, if you are financially able to donate money, see our Fundrazr crowdfunder.