Extinction Rebellion is an action group of volunteers committed to drawing attention to current climate problems. The organization occurs worldwide and does not shy away from demonstrations, they distinguish themselves from other organizations with the large number of arrests. With their demonstrations they show the public and politicians that words must be translated into actions to ensure that climate change does not continue and nature must be protected to prevent extinction.
- Extinction Rebellion (XR)
- Origin of the organization
- Key points
- Current events
- Success of Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion (XR)
The name of the action group shows how seriously the climate crisis is taken. Members fear mass extinctions and disrupted ecosystems if action is not taken now to protect the environment. The group’s logo is the symbol for extinction: an hourglass with a circle around it. This is a sign that action is needed now; time is running for nature and biodiversity. The circle symbolizes nature and the hourglass represents time. This symbol is also called the peace symbol of this generation. It is not entirely clear what the origins of the symbol are, but it was probably designed by an anonymous artist in East London (known as ESP or Goldfrog ESP).
Origin of the organization
Extinction Rebellion was founded in the United Kingdom in May 2018 when the need to take action for the climate was great: many scientists signed a call to stop climate change. The campaign group Rising Up! the action group started. In 2020, many groups of this organization have now been founded worldwide. The first actions were also organized in the Netherlands in December 2018. Extinction Rebellion takes the climate crisis so seriously that civil disobedience is not avoided. The demonstrations of Extinction Rebellion are characterized by their non-violence, the organization also offers courses in non-violent civil disobedience.
Extinction Rebellion is an organization with a decentralized structure, each group can independently organize actions to draw attention to the climate. The action group has many young members who are concerned about the future of the earth. The group has played an important role in bringing these young people together and giving them a way to make their concerns visible to politicians. There are also famous people who sympathize with the organization. Princess Marie-Esmaralda of Belgium even participated in a sit-in. The Belgian princess took part in a demonstration in London in April 2019. She was arrested but later released.
Key points
Extenction Rebellion exists because they believe that the government is doing too little to stop the climate crisis. The need is great, but too little is being done to reduce emissions and protect the planet. Extinction Rebellion demands more attention from the government for the climate and measures to reduce the greenhouse effect. On their own site they make the following demands to the government (March 2020):
- Be honest: be open about the climate crisis and the consequences it can have
- Do what it takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. Protect nature and strengthen biodiversity. Do this fairly.
- Give citizens more of a voice in the energy transition by setting up a Citizens’ Council that has a leading role in decisions (alongside the large companies).
Current events
Extinction Rebellion often organizes so-called die-ins, where public places are occupied by lying on the ground and thus forming a human barrier. The activists are often arrested, dropped a few kilometers away or have to spend a night in jail.
In London, 5 bridges were closed by demonstrators on November 17, 2018, and more than 85 people were arrested. On April 1, 2019, a Brexit debate in the British House of Commons was interrupted by half-naked activists, some of whom had dressed up as elephants (climate change is the elephant in the room, according to the action group) and others who glued themselves to the window. In the same month, a number of other busy places in London were occupied. Many demonstrations were also held in other parts of the world in the autumn of 2019.
In the Netherlands, a die-in was organized on March 3, 2019 in the Hoog Catharijne shopping center, and in Groningen at various locations during Mark Rutte’s visit to the city. In October 2019, there were many Extinction Rebbelion demonstrations worldwide. This is also the case in Amsterdam, where the Rebel without Borders blockade in front of the Rijksmuseum started on October 7 as part of an international action. According to Extinction Rebbelion, the police acted too harshly during these actions, demonstrators were allegedly held longer than legally permitted, toilets were also closed and people who wanted to bring food were banned from the demonstration site.
Success of Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion’s actions attract attention. Sometimes in a provocative way when certain places are closed off from traffic. But often also in a positive and creative way. The actions create more environmental awareness and bring people together in their love and care for nature. The actions are often strongly supported by young people. Extinction Rebellion brings together many young people who want more action on the climate, for a sustainable and sustainable future for everyone. Together with the school strikes for the climate, Extinction Rebellion has caused a wave of attention for the climate worldwide, especially in 2019/2020. It is also because of this public attention that politicians are also starting to think more about the climate, although a truly feasible and ambitious international climate plan has not yet been found at the beginning of 2020.