Extinction Rebellion

Should have been the top story on all outlets:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1115991/Extinction-Rebellion-London-protest-Climate-Change-Police-Officer-skateboarding-video

I don't want to start one, regardless of simplicity. I've met some new people through the group I mentioned (Not xr in name, but similar setup) and at the first meeting I went to I listened to folks discuss their overseas (flying) travel plans for summer holidays. The urge to Facepalm was huge.

When I've subsequently challenged folks decision making processes around travel choices I've been accused of deflecting from the real issues, and even labelled as right wing.

I think Cycleclinic raises some interesting points for consideration. Our social & economic systems are so complex they're going to be very difficult to unpick to allow for the low carbon future xr is looking for.

It will mean the necessary end of capitalism (3% growth n'all that) and a return to local social structures rather than the globally dispersed family/friendship groups we have at present. People will be asked to make huge changes to how they live their life and for many (including some campaigners) it just won't compute.

I'm honestly not sure if it is achievable, but will do my bit and hope my confidence in success increases over time.

Tl:dr fuck the world because change is inconvenient. Go you!

And they had a mini ramp on the bridge too which is epic win.

Strong Rourke game

heard george monbiot on frankie boyles new world order last week,

he spoke a lot of sense, people should watch it.... he's a gruniad writer isn't he so i presume a lot of people have been reading what he's got to say for a while ? i was impressed by him, hearing him for the first time

basic ideas

capitalism is a stupid idea and we need a revolution to change things ... where do we sign up

I guess they’d prefer him to be whacking protesters in the face.

Sadly I think the skateboarding and dancing police (at OC) are being investigated... So better for them not to headline it.

Not sure. I’d totally go as a ‘member of the public’ and demand that the IPCC consider that such actions were closer to winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the public than the kettling, violence, and unnecessary arresting often employed by repressive state apparatus.

If that guy said, “if I kickflip over your board, would you move on so I don’t need to arrest you?” I’d totally agree to such a deal.

Not sure about what?
I meant, I think the XR media have decided not to highlight those individuals due to repercussions they face. Dunno about the actual papers being so considerate. Anyway, that's what I heard (they are being investigated).

If they take any action against the skateboarding and dancing coppers we should set up a crowd funding for them, they should be rewarded for top community engagement, not punished.

The frothing outraged Daily Fail reader would implode with rage to see such acts being rewarded by the nation, rather than have them sent to the gallows like they'd hoped.

Not sure it’s better not-headlined.

Coppers tricking people into endearment need to be outed </ sarcasm>

I wasn’t suggesting you did, I was pointing out how they have got set up so widely.

https://m.facebook.com/caspar.hughes/posts/10156056609366781?src=email_notif

what an absolute legend..

last Wednesday when leaving parliament, I overheard a child (circa 8 yo) ask her dad whilst walking across parliament square, ‘what is climate change’, I hope that girl continues to ask that question and then inform her dad who was pretty much in denial.. what needs to be done to turn things around. Across the globe today, predictions made 30 years are now reality..

#takeittothebridge

It’s because of people just like you that they are going to have to build a third runway at Heathrow.
And yes, XR is anti capitalist. 3% growth pa means we double what we do now in less than a quarter of a century. Why can’t we accept that as a nation we have enough already and we can reduce inequality and start to repair the damage we’ve done?

exactly what george monbiot said ^

I attended a meeting this week that included presentation from the Environment Agency's Risk Management Manager for the Thames region. Had we had any governmenting in the last 3 years rather than endless brexitting it is likely that the EA would have made a climate science-based proposal for the next Thames Barrier, but not one to deal with the commonly accepted 1m increase in sea-level, but at least 1.5 or possibly 2m. Even if we never burn another kilo of fossil fuel the 1m of sea level rise is (extremely) likely to happen.

Actually XR is radically inclusive. Not everyone is an an-cap at all. Not everyone is anti-flying.

My thoughts are that jets flying near-empty is a disaster. Aviation fuel should be taxed, which would push the development of cleaner aircraft. Airlines should have to charge VAT (flying is a luxury). Governments have a role to play in all of this.

@cycleclinic there is room for different thoughts and opinions. XR demands are to help clarify their message rather than detailed policies. They’re trying stuff tbh.

but at least 1.5 or possibly 2m. Even if we never burn another kilo of fossil fuel the 1m of sea level rise is (extremely) likely to happen.

Is this right?

The most recent studies show 18-60cm (global sea level average) by 2100.

I have yet to find out if the slide shows presented will be made available to the public,
(I attended as an observer with no right of audience),
but one of the slides had three lines, on a graph of sea level rise (y-axis), and year (x-axis),
showing (I think), best/worst scenarios/probabilities.
The Thames Estuary is a special case, as the exisiting (and future) Thames Barrier has to cope with tidal maxima combined with strong winds, funnelling seawater down the North Sea, then into the mouth of the tidal Thames.

Isn't this article getting to the point that some are trying to express here, that XR is preaching to the converted/ left and won't engage many of the center and right and if you want to do that, you need to use different language:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/extinction-rebellion-climate-change-protests-london

The point of Extinction Rebellion (well, one of the points) is to bring together the converted, to build a movement, and then to engage decision makers and create influence.
There might well be other and or better ways of solving the problem the scientists tell us we are facing, but who is doing them?
Something has to change, and I don't see anyone else even having the discussion let alone the balls to go out there and mobilise.

Climate activists have struggled to engage politicians..

^I’m not happy about this statement in the Guardian.

The UK along with many countries across the world signed agreements, or were these frankly hollow promises, they/we can’t or won’t uphold. That is what we and our children should be demanding..

https://unfccc.int/process/the-kyoto-protocol

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/EPRS/EPRS-AaG-559475-Doha-Agreement-Kyoto-Protocol-FINAL.pdf

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement

Enjoying coverage of Stroud in the nationals. Saturated with vegan cafes and yoga retreats playing Bob Marley apparently (yeah there’s maybe one or two) the Daily Mail photographing houses is very cuntish

His book Feral is great, although it is a bit single minded (and one part of one chapter is just straight-up bad). Surprised you hadn't heard of him though.

@almac68 > or were these frankly hollow promises, they/we can’t or won’t uphold

Based on the way Brexit negotiations have proceeded, I think we know the answer there. (Although I suspect it was sweetened by the idea that tech will save us so we won't need to change ...)