Total silence from the Government since Parliament’s declaration of an environment and climate emergency in May, against a backdrop of ongoing criminal Government inaction on the climate and ecological emergency for the last 30 years, meant that Extinction Rebellion felt no choice but to take to the streets again this October. 

These people – from across all walks of life, of all ages – are the messengers. If you want to target the messengers then so be it, but that doesn’t change the message that needs to be heard.

Former Chief Superintendent and spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion UK Rob Cooper, said: “Perhaps this government should look at how they spend money. According to a report by the European Commission in January our government spends £10.5billion a year subsidising fossil fuels. 

“The Prime Minister recently reminded us that when Margaret Thatcher left office 29 years ago, she was aware of the dangers of global warming but the problem was filed in the ‘pending’ tray.  

“Since then the problem has been filed in the ‘too difficult to handle’ tray. 

“We all have jobs that we feel are too difficult to do. Perhaps now doing the job has become easier than continuing to delay. That is why we are asking the Prime Minister to display bravery, honesty and positive leadership in this decisive moment for humanity.” 

Notes to editors

1. Please email us at press@risingup.org.uk

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 by scientists and other credible voices, with human extinction also a possibility, 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.

What emergency? | Extinction Rebellion in Numbers |This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook.

About Rising Up!

Extinction Rebellion emerged from the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion while the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.