Read on to find out about what RSPB thinks of the International Rebellion this week...
There is tremendous momentum at the moment to save nature and take action against the climate crisis. This has been building over the last year as people become more aware of the impact we are having on our planet, and the threats it poses for nature and people. Finally, governments across the UK have declared a climate and ecological emergency, and the state of nature and the impacts of climate change are high on the political and social agenda. This has been a collective effort – from individuals changing their diet, to organisations setting more ambitious carbon reduction targets, to people from all walks of life taking to the streets, to the media making it a high-profile issue, to scientists making the evidence visible, to advocates showing decision the solutions.
But there is much more to be done to make sure that the response to the climate and ecological emergency is bold enough and starts NOW.
What’s happening now?
We can’t let this moment quieten and that’s why organisations like the RSPB and movements like Extinction Rebellion join others in consistently making a lot of noise for nature and climate.
On October 7th, Extinction Rebellion will begin their second International Rebellion in London, with smaller events happening locally around the UK. They have already had an International Rebellion earlier this year, where thousands of people occupied London and other cities around the world for almost two weeks. In the UK it received a huge amount of media coverage and it helped result in the UK Parliament, Welsh Government, and Scottish Government declaring a climate and ecological emergency.
The diverse movement of people who make up Extinction Rebellion will take ‘non-violent direction action’ in London and across the country to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergency and put pressure on Governments to do something about it. This ‘non-violent direct action’ might include sit ins, road blocks and protests. People will take part in different ways that feel right to them.
Everyone who takes part in Extinction Rebellion - like any other environmental campaign group - is taking time out of their busy lives to raise awareness that our natural world is in trouble. We want to say thank you to everyone who is concerned about the environment and is taking action to save it. Your voice is powerful and you are making a difference.
What’s the RSPB doing now?
We were proud to support the youth climate strikes in September and will continue to support peaceful non-violent protest (we do it all the time!). We won’t be supporting the International Rebellion in the same way because of the potential that some of the actions may be illegal and as a charity we don’t support illegal activity. We do support the wonderfully diverse people who are involved in non-violent direct action, like sit-ins and protests, and we will communicate our solidarity with their cause.
Securing systemic change for the environment and for people will require all parts of the movement to play a role. The RSPB will continue to advise Governments on what action they need to take to act like it’s an emergency, to restore nature and lock up carbon on our reserves, to teach young people about nature and what they can do to save it, to campaign for change, and to inspire millions of people across the UK to get outside and feel more connected to nature. (Which is the first step if we’re going to save it.)
One way in which we’re building public support to save nature is through our ‘Sound Takeover’ on 17th October, as part of our Let Nature Sing campaign. On this day, unusual places all over the UK will be filled with birdsong, from train stations to shopping malls, reminding everyone how much nature soothes us and fills us with joy, and that because of its decline this beautiful sound is unfamiliar to a lot of people now. If you want to take part in the sound takeover to raise the alarm for nature, go to our website.
We are all part of the same movement - and our differences make us stronger
If you are reading this, it means you are interested and you care. Wherever you are, whatever you do, you can play a role in helping to save nature. Our diversity of opinion and actions is what makes us powerful as a movement as we seek to change the political, social and economic systems that are holding us back from what needs to happen right now.
The most important thing is we all share the same mission – to save our natural world.
Tell us what you think or ask us a question in the comments below, or you can send an email to campaigns@rspb.org.uk.