Janet Young: How Could I Stand By and Do Nothing

October 05, 2019 by Zoe Blackler

Janet Young, a 72-year old retired social worker and grandmother from Devon read out this statement at her plea hearing in August. She was arrested on Waterloo Bridge on the first Tuesday, 16 April.

“I am pleading guilty for financial and emotional reasons.

I accept that I did not comply with a regulation, imposed in order to control and limit climate change action.

But morally and ethically I am guilty of nothing.

Having heard the scientific evidence and seen the terrible devastation already occurring in Africa and Asia and knowing that many species are already extinct, I felt there was no alternative but to take part in the action. The government having failed in its duty of care toward me and all citizens.

I am 72 years old, a lone parent for many years, and a widow. I was a social worker all my working life and have always been law abiding.

I have 2 children and a five year old granddaughter. In December my daughter will give birth to my grandson. When she told me she was pregnant, instead of joy I felt fear and anxiety; what future would this child have? Will it have any future at all? But inherit a world of devastation and loss, where few survive and there is no civilisation or rule of law. 

How could I stand by and do nothing? We are all responsible for each other and the generations to come.

What of your children, grandchildren, family, friends?

What of the children in Africa and Asia who watch their homes smashed by hurricanes and life devastated by flood and drought? Who die from diseases and have no future?

There are fires in the Arctic, huskies sledging in a foot of water, no snow in the Himalayas so no water in parts of India, and this is with only 1 degree C of warming. The idea of 2 degrees is terrifying and we all know it is happening much faster than we thought.

The action we took was successful; Parliament declared a climate emergency, and climate warming and the dangers to biodiversity are now high on the agenda and in people’s consciousness.

But still the government fails to act and we are in crisis – each day brings us nearer to the tipping point, the point of no return.

We are being punished for bringing to the attention of the world the extinction we face. 

So when you pass judgement, please consider what we have been trying to do for you and all of us.

Thank you.”

Janet received a 6 month conditional discharge and £105 total court costs.