Extinction Rebellion: Summer Uprising in Bristol
This week started very hectic and exciting in Bristol with Extinction Rebellion ’s Summer Uprising, a protest happening simultaneously across five cities in the UK (Cardiff, London, Leeds and Glasgow). Starting Monday 15 July, and for five consecutive days, rebels from Bristol and the South West, will disrupt key transport routes and occupy spaces in central Bristol.
The Summer Uprising rebellion is an organic, decentralised and coordinated action across England, Scotland and Wales with one main message: ACT NOW! Their demand is that national and local governments ACT NOW to halt biodiversity loss and cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
Extinction Rebellion is a non-violent, international movement that aims to achieve the radical changes needed to minimise ecological collapse and the risk of human and animal extinction.
The protests and activities are varied, it goes from blocking the main streets of Bristol’s city centre to panels, music, talks, workshops, people’s assemblies, guerilla gardening, marches, performances, solutions zones and non-violent direct action. Their three main demands are:
1. The government must tell the truth about Climate and wider Ecological Emergency and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens.
2. The government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and reduce consumption of resources to below half of the sustainable levels.
3. A national Citizens Assembly to oversee the changes as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.
According to the United Nations, if we do not act immediately, there will be global food shortages, mass starvation and social collapse around the world.
Each city will highlight a different aspect of the ecological crisis. In Bristol the focus is rising sea levels. This reflects the city’s maritime history and its risk of floods, which NASA research warns are likely to be a regular occurrence by 2050 if climate breakdown isn’t urgently addressed. There is a possibility that 22,300 residential Bristol properties will be at risk, and flooding is likely to affect power stations.
Parliament and many UK councils have declared a climate and ecological emergency, but their actions do not match their words. The government’s commitment to cut carbon emissions to zero by 2050 is an alarmingly insufficient response. In the Global South, water shortages, famine, extreme weather and conflicts over dwindling resources are already commonplace.
Still don’t know much about climate change? Check out this video.
To find out more about events, meetings and future actions in Bristol visit xrbristol.org.uk
If you believe in this message, join the rebellion.
