We are facing a global crisis: the climate and ecological emergency.
We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction of our planet. The UN Secretary General warned us at the end of 2018 that:
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Humanity and all species now face a ‘direct existential threat’
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Our world must act now to keep global warming under 1.5°C and try to avoid utterly catastrophic effects to life on Earth
However, our leaders are failing to protect us, and our governments are failing to act on our behalf. Instead, they are compromised by a focus on economic growth and an obsession with profits, caving under the pressure of lobbies of powerful corporations.
Extinction Rebellion do not accept this inaction.
Not when the futures of our children and our planet are at stake, and the current devastation facing people today in the Global South goes ignored.
We have three demands:
1. Tell the truth
Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Act Now
Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Beyond Politics
Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
A citizens’ assembly is like a national level jury service – members of the public are selected randomly, but according to statistics so that they are representative of the population (by gender, age, ethnicity, location, education, etc.). The assembly members are informed by experts and stakeholders, in a way that is balanced and overseen by an impartial organisation. Members deliberate this information, before drafting and voting on recommendations.
This method is effective at resolving complex, controversial issues. In the case of Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly, a political deadlock was broken over legalisation of same-sex marriage and abortion. In other areas of the world the world – for example in Ireland, Canada, Australia, Belgium and Poland – citizens’ assemblies have demonstrated that the general public can use complex information to deliberate on options, and make fair and impartial choices.