Another World Is Possible

We do not have to accept the dystopian future we’re hurtling towards.

We have a choice.

Right now, countries across the world are looking at plans to bailout climate-destroying industries and the banks that fund them. This is our money going to Big Business and Climate & Nature Destroyers instead of People and Planet.

On May 6th, the European Commission of the European Union released a €2 trillion investment recovery plan from the pandemic. Airline companies want €26bn in European taxpayers’ money. The US has given $50bn for aviation. South Korea has approved $825m for building coal factories. All with no commitments for people and planet.

Locally Derby City Council has set up an economic recovery task force. So far the task force have lobbied the Government for airline bailouts. While workers in the aviation industry need to be supported, the industry itself needs to radically change if we are to avoid catastrophic climate collapse.

Derby City Council is still refusing to take air pollution seriously by prioritising the convenience of road vehicles over other public transport users, cyclists and walkers and continuing to support the £250 million A38 road works that are part of the Gov’s £27 billion road-building scheme. 

There has been no provision of road space for cyclists or pedestrians in Derby yet despite the central Government £2 billion package to create a new era for cycling and walking.

Derby City declared a climate emergency in 2019 and nearly a year later, there is still no action. 

The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down, exposing major weaknesses in our economy and the deep-seated inequalities in our society that mean the most vulnerable people have been hit the hardest. But what we do next could change everything. As the world recovers, we have a chance to reset the clock and build back better than before.‍

We need something new. We need a new deal that prioritises people, invests in our NHS and creates a robust, shockproof economy that is capable of tackling the climate crisis. Derby’s economic recovery task force needs to Build Back Better with a Green New Deal. Derby has a strong manufacturing history and workforce of artisans, engineers and scientists with world-leading skills in turbine development that can be put to use to build a new energy infrastructure of wind and wave power.

This inaction and continued support for high carbon emission businesses and infrastructure projects is breaking the Paris Agreement. In other words, it breaks the only agreement for keeping our world habitable.

This is why we must reject calls to “return to normal”. Normal was a crisis of care and Covid-19 has exposed this. We must transition into an economy that does not neglect but prioritises care and protects life everywhere.

It’s time to resist.

This is a rebellion. If Governments bail out climate destroyers, what would you do to rebel? Let’s show our strength.

We know the truth. There’s #NoGoingBack. This can’t continue.

It’s time for Governments to trust the people. Now, more than ever, we need to be calling for assemblies to govern ourselves, not be governed by big business.

Pledge and join thousands of other rebels from around the world, all united, standing proud. Whatever you can do, planet Earth needs every single one of us.

We are all crew.