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Last week Sir David Attenborough told the Security Council that our current course risks the “collapse of everything that gives us security” including “food production, access to fresh water, habitable ambient temperature, and ocean food chains.”[1]

Today’s Budget announcement shows that below the surface of vague commitments to “low-carbon investment” the UK Government is continuing on the current course we have been warned is so dangerous. Not only will the government cut £1bn from net-zero spending intended to help insulate homes as part of the ‘Green Homes Grant’ scheme, they are also allowing airports to expand, new coal mines to be built and investment to flow from the UK’s banking and financial sector to new fossil fuel projects.[2] [3] [4] [5] 

There is no longer any argument that urgent and transformative action is needed on the climate and ecological crisis, and yet it is clearly still not happening. 

If you aren’t able to do something you ask for help. In January this year the UN People’s Climate Survey found that 81% of people in the UK think that the issue is a “global emergency.” [6] It’s time for the UK government to ask for help by inviting the people to the table and empowering them to make the difficult decisions needed to address this crisis. Instead of continuing down this deadly path they could create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

Notes to editors

[1] https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1085452

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/27/what-will-be-in-rishi-sunaks-2021-budget

[3] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/airport-growth-plans-fly-in-face-of-climate-targets-xrwnmlbck

[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56223327

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/01/budget-is-vital-test-of-uk-governments-green-credentials
[6] https://www.newscientist.com/article/2265764-climate-change-seen-as-global-emergency-by-64-per-cent-of-people/

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 increasingly rapid climate change. If urgent and radical action isn’t taken, we’re heading towards 4˚C warming, and the societal collapse and mass loss of life that that implies. The younger generation, racially marginalised communities and the Global South are on the front-line. No-one will escape the devastating impacts.

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 

Get involved

• 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: in the UK or around the world.
• Find your local group.
• Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites.
• And while your time and energy are of most importance, if you are financially able to donate money, see our crowdfunder.