Extinction Rebellion: The activists risking prison to save the planet
DW, 17 Apr 19, In the face of runaway climate chaos, governments around the world are in denial, say the activists hoping to land themselves in jail in defence of our planet — and the survival of our species.Many environmentalists — particularly the major international NGOs — have long argued that frightening people will only put them off engaging with climate protection. If the problem feels too big, we feel hopeless and switch off to think about something else.
But with scientists telling us that the planet’s sixth mass extinction is already underway, and that we have scarcely more than a decade to avert devastating, irreversible climate change, a growing number of activists now believe it’s too late to sugar coat the the truth.
This week, they will be taking to streets around the world in acts of mass civil disobedience, with the message that unless we take immediate action humankind itself faces extinction.
“Emissions are still going up, so we need to disrupt normal life,” says Nick Holzberg, who works full time for Extinction Rebellion in Berlin. “The only way to do that is peaceful civil disobedience.”
State of emergency
Extinction Rebellion first emerged in fall last year, when thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of London. UK “Extinction Rebels” have since occupied bridges over the Thames and stripped off in the British Parliament. And their movement has expanded to 35 countries around the world………
The group is demanding that governments declare a “climate emergency,” to shift into a crisis mode where “business as unusual” is suspended to make climate protection the priority.
More concretely, they want governments to commit to carbon neutrality by 2025 — instead of mid-century as the European Union and many national governments are aiming for. ….
With little faith in governments taking such radical action alone, Extinction Rebellion is also demanding a “people’s assembly” to oversee the transition. …… https://www.dw.com/en/extinction-rebellion-the-activists-risking-prison-to-save-the-planet/a-48302957
Thousands of climate activists block London roads
Roadblocks will continue night and day at each site and the demonstrators say the protests could last at least a week….
The group is demanding the government declare a climate and ecological emergency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025, and create a citizen’s assembly of members of the public to lead on decisions to address climate change. ….
Extinction Rebellion wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday outlining their demands and asking for face-to-face talks, warning that they will escalate their disruptive actions over the coming weeks unless the government acts.
“Make no mistake, people are already dying,” the letter states. “In the majority world, indigenous communities are now on the brink of extinction. This crisis is only going to get worse … Prime Minister, you cannot ignore this crisis any longer. We must act now.”
Organisers of the protests circulated legal advice to anyone planning to attend, requesting they refrain from using drugs and alcohol, and asking them to treat the public with respect.
London’s police have advised people travelling around the city in the coming days to allow extra time for their journey in the event of road closures and general disruption. …… Extinction Rebellion wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday outlining their demands and asking for face-to-face talks, warning that they will escalate their disruptive actions over the coming weeks unless the government acts.
“Make no mistake, people are already dying,” the letter states. “In the majority world, indigenous communities are now on the brink of extinction. This crisis is only going to get worse … Prime Minister, you cannot ignore this crisis any longer. We must act now.”
Organisers of the protests circulated legal advice to anyone planning to attend, requesting they refrain from using drugs and alcohol, and asking them to treat the public with respect.
London’s police have advised people travelling around the city in the coming days to allow extra time for their journey in the event of road closures and general disruption………https://www.sbs.com.au/news/climate-change-rallies-block-london-roads
The health dangers from climate change – catching Australia unprepared
Australia’s health system unprepared for climate change, experts warn, New Daily, 15 Apr 19, Australia is unprepared for coming health emergencies caused by global warming disasters, public health experts have warned.
From floods to heatwaves, droughts, cyclones and bushfires, the “frequency, intensity, and duration” of natural disasters in Australia is increasing, and our health systems are struggling to cope, three leading public health experts said.
While Australia is geophysically stable and protected “to some extent” from “catastrophic events” such as earthquakes and tsunamis, we are vulnerable to “climate-related disasters and emergencies”, the researchers wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday.
Titled Resilient health systems: preparing for climate disasters and other emergencies, the article was co-authored by Queensland University of Technology professor of Public Health Gerard FitzGerald, University of Sydney’s Professor Anthony Capon and Queensland Health Disaster Management Unit’s Dr Peter Aitken.
Australia must prepare its health systems for climate-related disasters and emergencies by adopting a “comprehensive whole-of-system approach” integrating “all elements of population health and health care”, from preparedness to response and recovery, they said. ……
The warning follows the release of a landmark report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate in October, which found that some of the most dire consequences of global warming will occur earlier than predicted, with time running out to avoid the most catastrophic effects…….
Across Australia, two-thirds of the population will be vulnerable to infection for eight months of the year, while the top end of the country will be vulnerable to infection 12 months a year, the study found.
Climate change an economic and national security risk…… https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/04/15/australia-health-system-climate-change/
Donald Trump’s administration – the revolving door between the Pentagon and nuclear weapons companies
Tomgram: Smithberger and Hartung, The Pentagon’s Revolving Door Spins Faster
The Legal Narrative Funnel That’s Being Used To Extradite Assange — Phi Quyền Chính – Anarchism: The Tao Of Anarchy
Written by Caitlin Johnstone Isn’t it interesting how an Ecuadorian “asylum conditions” technicality, a UK bail technicality, and a US whistleblowing technicality all just so happened to converge in a way that just so happens to look exactly the same as imprisoning a journalist for telling the truth? Following the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian […]
Urgent Action Needed to Better Manage E-Waste: International Labour Organization — HUMAN WRONGS WATCH
Human Wrongs Watch Representatives of governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations agree more must be done, and urgently, to manage the millions of tonnes of e-waste produced each year. GENEVA, 17 April 2019 (ILO)* – The ILO has called for urgent action to better manage the toxic flood of electric and electronic waste (e-waste) produced around […]
April 17 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “Oil And Gas Industry Has Way Too Much Control Over Congress” • In October 1992, the US Senate ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Yet since then, the US Congress has failed to pass a single major piece of legislation to implement the treaty. The reason is oil and gas campaign […]
Renewables job numbers hit three-year high – led by Australia’s coal states — RenewEconomy
Full time jobs in renewable energy increased across the board in 2016-17, led by industry growth in two of Australia’s most coal-dependent states, NSW and Queensland. The post Renewables job numbers hit three-year high – led by Australia’s coal states appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Renewables job numbers hit three-year high – led by Australia’s coal states — RenewEconomy
SA Power Networks taps solar to cut dependence on its own grid — RenewEconomy
South Australia’s biggest electricity distribution company is seeking to reduce dependence on its very own grid, by installing just under 500kW of solar across two depots. The post SA Power Networks taps solar to cut dependence on its own grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via SA Power Networks taps solar to cut dependence on its own grid — RenewEconomy
Latrobe Valley electric truck maker gets multiple orders from US — RenewEconomy
Victoria-based SEA Electric will soon have its Australian designed electric trucks in use from Detroit to San Francisco. The post Latrobe Valley electric truck maker gets multiple orders from US appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Latrobe Valley electric truck maker gets multiple orders from US — RenewEconomy
Hot March, Melting Sea Ice, Record High CO2, and a Weak El Nino — robertscribbler
Good afternoon everyone. It’s April 15 of 2019. And it’s high time I provided another update on the present global climate state. (Indicators explained.) Yes, I’ve been off this cart for a bit due to my personal climate action that I’m calling extreme clean. And I’ve got to say that this action is in solidarity […]
via Hot March, Melting Sea Ice, Record High CO2, and a Weak El Nino — robertscribbler
AEMO to model rapid transition to renewables, quicker exit from coal — RenewEconomy
AEMO urged by major utilities and others to model rapid transition to renewables and quicker exit from coal, along with “real” Paris climate commitment. The post AEMO to model rapid transition to renewables, quicker exit from coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via AEMO to model rapid transition to renewables, quicker exit from coal — RenewEconomy
Know your NEM: Do Queensland unions hate solar more than hard right? — RenewEconomy
Do unions in Queensland hate renewable energy as much as the hard right? Meanwhile, Queensland’s Labor government shown up by S.A. Liberals. The post Know your NEM: Do Queensland unions hate solar more than hard right? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Know your NEM: Do Queensland unions hate solar more than hard right? — RenewEconomy
It’s time for a smarter RET that recognises flexible generation — RenewEconomy
The RET should be extended, but also adapted to encourage “flexible” capacity that recognises and amplifies the varying time value of generated renewable electricity. The post It’s time for a smarter RET that recognises flexible generation appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via It’s time for a smarter RET that recognises flexible generation — RenewEconomy
Woolworths green bond flooded with orders as retailer looks to solar, efficiency — RenewEconomy
Woolworths green bond – “first ever” by a retail supermarket company – raises more than enough to finance installation of rooftop solar, energy efficient lighting and fridges. The post Woolworths green bond flooded with orders as retailer looks to solar, efficiency appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Woolworths green bond flooded with orders as retailer looks to solar, efficiency — RenewEconomy
1 This month.
Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
Australians deserve the truth
about AUKUS
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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