Climate protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group hold placards and banners as they block traffic in Elephant and Castle on November 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Nov 20, 2018
Days after thousands of demonstrators shut down major central London bridges to demand bold climate action from world leaders, environmentalists and members of the Extinction Rebellion movement were back in the streets again on Wednesday highlighting the world's "ecological emergency" and calling for immediate steps toward the goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do."
--Donnachadh McCarthyWhile politely apologizing for the major traffic disruptions caused by the demonstrations, Extinction Rebellion declared in a statement that "this relatively minor inconvenience could save us all from catastrophic consequences in years to come."
"I think it's going well--a little light disruption to raise awareness of the biggest threat to our future, climate change," said Josie, a 23-year-old activist from Bristol. "We need to do everything we can to spark some thoughts, plant some seeds, and also--it's just good to be part of this community--to act and resist together. We are planting seeds to grow some new ideas."
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do," added author and activist Donnachadh McCarthy.
Aiming for "gridlock across the capital," Wednesday's demonstrations took place at major traffic hot spots in London such as Vauxhall Bridge and Earl's Court.
\u201cExtinction Rebellion have started 'swarming roadblocks' in London as part of protests calling for action on climate change.\n\n@ExtinctionR | #ExtinctionRebellion | #Swarming\u201d— TalkTV (@TalkTV) 1542788874
\u201cClimate change protesters from @ExtinctionR running out onto the road and blocking Vauxhall Bridge this morning, stopping traffic, as other members of the group do the same in Earls Court and Elephant and Castle @LBC\u201d— Rachael Venables (@Rachael Venables) 1542793387
\u201c#swarming is happening now at #Vauxhall #TowerBridge #EarlsCourt and #ElephantandCastle as part of @ExtinctionR\u2019s escalating climate activism. You can join #RebellionSwarming tomorrow and Friday ahead of our next mass protest on Saturday. #Joinus #rebel #create #disrupt #climate\u201d— Tamsin Omond (they/them) (@Tamsin Omond (they/them)) 1542792512
"To those inconvenienced by the climate change roadblocks in London, we've tried all other options," activist Hannah Scott wrote on Twitter. "The scientists have yelled at us for decades. Civilized negotiations with governments. Greening capitalism. Not enough. Sorry but we have no other option. "
Demonstrations and disruptions across London demanding urgent climate action are expected to continue for the rest of the week, culminating in "Rebellion Day 2" on Saturday in Parliament Square.
Dr. Larch Maxey, research fellow at the University of Plymouth, said in a statement that he has been "really amazed" by how effective the mass demonstrations have been thus far.
"It is clearly causing a lot of economic disruption which is what you have to do to get the government to listen," Maxey said. "In terms of reaction from people, when they hear that this is about climate change they understand. We've had so many people thanking us, even had a high-five."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Days after thousands of demonstrators shut down major central London bridges to demand bold climate action from world leaders, environmentalists and members of the Extinction Rebellion movement were back in the streets again on Wednesday highlighting the world's "ecological emergency" and calling for immediate steps toward the goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do."
--Donnachadh McCarthyWhile politely apologizing for the major traffic disruptions caused by the demonstrations, Extinction Rebellion declared in a statement that "this relatively minor inconvenience could save us all from catastrophic consequences in years to come."
"I think it's going well--a little light disruption to raise awareness of the biggest threat to our future, climate change," said Josie, a 23-year-old activist from Bristol. "We need to do everything we can to spark some thoughts, plant some seeds, and also--it's just good to be part of this community--to act and resist together. We are planting seeds to grow some new ideas."
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do," added author and activist Donnachadh McCarthy.
Aiming for "gridlock across the capital," Wednesday's demonstrations took place at major traffic hot spots in London such as Vauxhall Bridge and Earl's Court.
\u201cExtinction Rebellion have started 'swarming roadblocks' in London as part of protests calling for action on climate change.\n\n@ExtinctionR | #ExtinctionRebellion | #Swarming\u201d— TalkTV (@TalkTV) 1542788874
\u201cClimate change protesters from @ExtinctionR running out onto the road and blocking Vauxhall Bridge this morning, stopping traffic, as other members of the group do the same in Earls Court and Elephant and Castle @LBC\u201d— Rachael Venables (@Rachael Venables) 1542793387
\u201c#swarming is happening now at #Vauxhall #TowerBridge #EarlsCourt and #ElephantandCastle as part of @ExtinctionR\u2019s escalating climate activism. You can join #RebellionSwarming tomorrow and Friday ahead of our next mass protest on Saturday. #Joinus #rebel #create #disrupt #climate\u201d— Tamsin Omond (they/them) (@Tamsin Omond (they/them)) 1542792512
"To those inconvenienced by the climate change roadblocks in London, we've tried all other options," activist Hannah Scott wrote on Twitter. "The scientists have yelled at us for decades. Civilized negotiations with governments. Greening capitalism. Not enough. Sorry but we have no other option. "
Demonstrations and disruptions across London demanding urgent climate action are expected to continue for the rest of the week, culminating in "Rebellion Day 2" on Saturday in Parliament Square.
Dr. Larch Maxey, research fellow at the University of Plymouth, said in a statement that he has been "really amazed" by how effective the mass demonstrations have been thus far.
"It is clearly causing a lot of economic disruption which is what you have to do to get the government to listen," Maxey said. "In terms of reaction from people, when they hear that this is about climate change they understand. We've had so many people thanking us, even had a high-five."
Days after thousands of demonstrators shut down major central London bridges to demand bold climate action from world leaders, environmentalists and members of the Extinction Rebellion movement were back in the streets again on Wednesday highlighting the world's "ecological emergency" and calling for immediate steps toward the goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do."
--Donnachadh McCarthyWhile politely apologizing for the major traffic disruptions caused by the demonstrations, Extinction Rebellion declared in a statement that "this relatively minor inconvenience could save us all from catastrophic consequences in years to come."
"I think it's going well--a little light disruption to raise awareness of the biggest threat to our future, climate change," said Josie, a 23-year-old activist from Bristol. "We need to do everything we can to spark some thoughts, plant some seeds, and also--it's just good to be part of this community--to act and resist together. We are planting seeds to grow some new ideas."
"Standing up to save humanity from extinction is not criminal, it's the only sane thing we can do," added author and activist Donnachadh McCarthy.
Aiming for "gridlock across the capital," Wednesday's demonstrations took place at major traffic hot spots in London such as Vauxhall Bridge and Earl's Court.
\u201cExtinction Rebellion have started 'swarming roadblocks' in London as part of protests calling for action on climate change.\n\n@ExtinctionR | #ExtinctionRebellion | #Swarming\u201d— TalkTV (@TalkTV) 1542788874
\u201cClimate change protesters from @ExtinctionR running out onto the road and blocking Vauxhall Bridge this morning, stopping traffic, as other members of the group do the same in Earls Court and Elephant and Castle @LBC\u201d— Rachael Venables (@Rachael Venables) 1542793387
\u201c#swarming is happening now at #Vauxhall #TowerBridge #EarlsCourt and #ElephantandCastle as part of @ExtinctionR\u2019s escalating climate activism. You can join #RebellionSwarming tomorrow and Friday ahead of our next mass protest on Saturday. #Joinus #rebel #create #disrupt #climate\u201d— Tamsin Omond (they/them) (@Tamsin Omond (they/them)) 1542792512
"To those inconvenienced by the climate change roadblocks in London, we've tried all other options," activist Hannah Scott wrote on Twitter. "The scientists have yelled at us for decades. Civilized negotiations with governments. Greening capitalism. Not enough. Sorry but we have no other option. "
Demonstrations and disruptions across London demanding urgent climate action are expected to continue for the rest of the week, culminating in "Rebellion Day 2" on Saturday in Parliament Square.
Dr. Larch Maxey, research fellow at the University of Plymouth, said in a statement that he has been "really amazed" by how effective the mass demonstrations have been thus far.
"It is clearly causing a lot of economic disruption which is what you have to do to get the government to listen," Maxey said. "In terms of reaction from people, when they hear that this is about climate change they understand. We've had so many people thanking us, even had a high-five."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.