STUFF

Please get in touch via email: hello@rebellionderby.earth

Thank you.

We started the Industrual Revolution here in Derby. The world is looking to us in the UK to take the steps to reduce emmisions and reduce biodiversity loss.  Our consumption is disproportionate to our size and we import huge amounts of manufactured goods and food.

We also can impact on what happens overseas because we buy what they make. In the UK, we pay other countries to do most of our manufacturing then we blame them for the emissions.  Try to buy local when you can. The following is from Dr Chris Newman of Doctors for XR, who published a guide on “How to answer climate trolls” on Medium, based on all the interviews he’s watched on TV and Radio over the last 6 months:

• SOME COUNTRIES HAVE CAUSED MORE POLLUTION THAN OTHERS: Western countries have polluted most in history. We have benefitted from decades of colonialism, resource theft and historical pollution to produce good infrastructure; good roads, sewerage systems, rail networks, buildings etc etc. Asking that we just forget the past is like inheriting a mansion and refusing to pay more council tax.
• OUR COUNTRY HAS A STRONG TRADITION OF LEADERSHIP: The UK was one of the first countries to ban slavery, it has the best health service in the world according to the Commonwealth Fund. We have a history of leading the way on important issues. We should do the same here.
• WE NEED TO LOOK AFTER THE MOST VULNERABLE: The people who suffer most will be those in the poorest countries. The poorest poor. They are the ones least responsible and the ones who are suffering most now, and will suffer most in the future. A measure of the health of a society is how much it looks after its most vulnerable; those in low lying countries or closest to the equator.
• OUR LEADERSHIP WILL HELP OTHER COUNTRIES CHANGE FASTER: Environmental care and concern is growing internationally and exponentially. No one wants to see their way of life permanently destroyed by climate change. As soon as one country moves, others will follow. The people of the world will demand it.
• SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT: If everyone waits for everyone else, we all lose.

To put this another way, the average Brit is responsible for nearly 50x more aviation CO2 than the average Indian – and 9x more than average Chinese.

(Not forgetting that many people don’t fly at all) https://t.co/28jBwwrDBY

— Simon Evans (@DrSimEvans) January 22, 2020

Actually some countries are doing great things. None of it is perfect but it’s a start:

Lambasting China over its emissions might impress the US but it could be costly for Australia (from Sept 2019 and look what happened to Australia)

Developing nations cause far less emissions than us in 2020 “Britons reach Africans’ annual carbon emissions in just two weeks”

China reassigns 60,000 soldiers to plant trees in bid to fight pollution

UN praises India for climate action, says Modi govt making fantastic efforts

While most countries’ efforts are insufficient to meet even the Paris agreement targets, India actually scores better than European according to this: https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/

Here’s a more detailed article from the National Geographic. Climate change report card: These countries are reaching targets

Italy to become first country to make learning about climate change compulsory for school students

What’s the US Green New Deal, explained with a video

Green New Deal UK explained by Gina Dowding MEP

Trees for Derby

Please come to one of our events, put your question to us and we will try to answer it.  Alternatively email us at hello@rebellionderby.earth

XRUK have many other questions answered on their FAQ here: https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/faqs/

The next climate protest or climate strike or Fridays for Future event in Derby can me found on our Events page and other campaigns under News, they include:

• Local Climate Protests in Derby
• Air Pollution
• Youth Climate Strikes

Local Protests in Derby

We mount our own climate protests locally, linking to a local injustice like, inaction by Derby City Council who declared a climate emergency in May 2019 but have missed their own deadline to decide a climate action plan by the end of 2019.

Air Pollution

We campaign against air pollution caused by excessive road traffic and the incinerator polluting the residents in Sinfin, Derby.   Find out more about protests against unnecessary road building that also adds to conjestion and destroys trees, and other campaigns under News.

Youth Climate Strikes

We often team up with the youth climate school strikers and other organisations like Derby Climate Coalition.  The next climate protest or climate strike or Fridays for Future event in Derby can me found on our Events page.

#ClimateAction #ClimateEmergency #YouthStrike4Climate #Fridays4Future #FFF

There are lots of things you can do from the safety of your home. With a strong network of people committing to regular communication, nobody should be left alone and unsupported during this crisis.

Here are some things to do and find out about:

• Keep up to date with the latest info
• Advice to Share
• XR Derby & COVID-19
• How Else You Can Help
• Self-Isolation Resources
• The Pandemic in Context

We’ve already been thinking about the breakdown of society, because we are concerned about the climate and ecological emergencies. For humanity to survive these crises, we need to support each other and build strong community bonds. We need to be compassionate and supportive of our family, friends, neighbours and strangers in these difficult times.

Extinction Rebellion exists to protect life, both now and for future generations. Right now, we all need to prioritise public health, follow advice from scientists and doctors, and be mindful of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Mass public gatherings will not be organised by Extinction Rebellion until it is safe to do so. We are running online campaigns both for helping communities affected by COVID-19 and to keep demanding urgent action on the climate emergency.  Here’s one:

#AloneTogether

This calls for an evolution – not a shelving – of our rebellion. This is a time to remember what we are rebelling for – a thriving and just world of regenerative cultures that can weather crises, foster cooperation and look after each other on a global scale.  Check it out:
#AloneTogether – Regenerative Rebellion in the Time of Coronavirus

XR Updates

If you’re not on the Telegram app already, consider joining and begin with the COVID-19 Channel https://t.me/XRCoronaCA

Find out what else were are doing during the two crises under NEWS.

Check out what else Extinction Rebellion is doing all around the world at rebellion.earth/news

No. You can choose to be one of a support team helping each person ready to make the sacrifice or by participating in other ways.

It takes 20-30 people behind the scenes or directly supporting  each person willing to make the sacrifice of their liberty.  See CIRCLES to discover the specific areas where you can help or just turn up to our next event – See EVENTS.  However, we do encourage those choosing to avoid arrest to attend our Non-violent Direct Action (NVDA) Training so they understand the processes involved.  These will be listed on our events page.  If you can’t come to anything in person there are also lots of ways you can help.

No: we want to ensure that everyone concerned about the imminence of climate catastrophe can join our resistance.

We want to encourage anyone concerned about or wanting to learn more about imminent climate catastrophe to join us. One of the 10 principles of XR is that we accept everyone and every part of everyone. However, we encourage everyone to eat a plant-based diet and all our events that offer catering prominently include vegan food (unless labelled otherwise) to showcase the world we want to create, and to make vegans feel they don’t have to ask. Lots of friendly people can give you advice about eating a plant-based diet and many other things to reduce CO2 emissions and reverse biodiversity loss. Although it’s not all down to individual actions, a plant-based diet is a very good start. More on lifestyle choices crop up elsewhere in this FAQ.

No. We believe in recycling and reusing, and this apples to clothes. Bring an old item of clothing and print symbols and slogans on it.

It is hugely positive to reuse clothes and not buy new.  Please come to one of our events and block-print your own existing clothing or cloth with one of the blocks our artists have made.  The extinction symbol was designed by street artist ESP and he gave Extinction Rebellion licence to use it on condition nothing with it on was sold, even for fundraising.  So if you see a website selling items with the extinction symbol on, please report them for breach of copyright.  More information here https://extinctionsymbol.info/   Once the ink is dry, the garments can be ironed to prevent the colour coming out in the wash.

All our placards and banners are home produced using recycled materials. XR prints up banners on its own banner printer.

Ours were homemade from both reused banners and old cloth sheets and came with us and the large ones you may have seen in the news were printed with XR’s own printer in a secret location in London.

It is an easy jibe to ask these questions, but such criticisms miss the point: we are forced to protest in this way in the capital because for many decades the traditional marches, emails, petitions and lobbying of MPs have failed. But it also plays into the hands of the fossil fuel companies, media and advertisers by supporting the lie that it is mainly the responsibility of individuals to solve the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. “If you just buy a reusable cup, everything will be alright.” It is inevitable that everyone appears to be a hypocrite because at present everything we do is based upon a political system, an infrastructure and a consumer system paying little or no attention to the environment. We are all part of the system and we demand better choices. We try to achieve a balance and whenever we can we always select the least damaging green option.

1. We seek to undermine the existing system through green consumer power and show different ways of living, like eating a plant-based diet, not flying or reducing this ot an absolute minimum, not buying newly made clothes, etc.
2. We protest against the governments and banks that support fossil fuel expansion, deforestation, over-exploitation of the environment, wars and which don’t tell the truth. A particular target are a few massive multinational companies that are responsible, directly or indirectly, for a majority of the world’s polluting emissions

Spoof reporter Jonathan Pie explains the hypocrisy better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCmdtcWKog (bit sweary)

As does George Monbiot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir-XjQhOyNQ (also sweary but understandably angry yet controlled)

Almost all went by train or bus or coach. A few even cycled.

Most of us travelled by train or coach, some car shared and equipment was moved partly by electric cars and vans.  Dave Clasby and a friend cycled from Derby to London over three days (see left) to highlight the need for improved cycling and walking infrastructure in Britain.  Each leg of the journey highlighted what local people in each area experience and what it needs to improve.  Once in London we walked, used the tube or took the bus.

It is an easy jibe to ask these questions, but such criticisms miss the point: we are forced to protest in this way in the capital because for many decades the traditional marches, emails, petitions and lobbying of MPs have failed. But it also plays into the hands of the fossil fuel companies, media and advertisers by supporting the lie that it is mainly the responsibility of individuals to solve the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. “If you just buy a reusable cup, everything will be alright.” It is inevitable that everyone appears to be a hypocrite because at present everything we do is based upon a political system, an infrastructure and a consumer system paying little or no attention to the environment. We are all part of the system and we demand better choices. We try to achieve a balance and whenever we can we always select the least damaging green option.

1. We seek to undermine the existing system through green consumer power and show different ways of living, like eating a plant-based diet, not flying or reducing this ot an absolute minimum, not buying newly made clothes, etc.
2. We protest against the governments and banks that support fossil fuel expansion, deforestation, over-exploitation of the environment, wars and which don’t tell the truth. A particular target are a few massive multinational companies that are responsible, directly or indirectly, for a majority of the world’s polluting emissions

A particular target are a few massive multinational companies that are responsible, directly or indirectly, for a majority of the world’s polluting emissions. Personal choices are important when getting our message across, by showing there are alternatives and not adding to emissions, biodiversity loss and cruelty caused by animal agriculture, fast fashion, travel and heavy industries. However, nothing we do as individuals compares with the 85% of CO2 emissions produced by large corporations (as explained in The New Internationalist 2018). The most valuable thing is to put pressure on governments to put controls on production and transform our way of life.

The New Internationalist (2018) “If we all became vegan tomorrow”

https://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2018/06/06/vegan-climate-carbon

The Guardian (2019) Revealed: the 20 firms behind a third of all carbon emissions:

New data shows how fossil fuel companies have driven climate crisis despite industry knowing dangers

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/revealed-20-firms-third-carbon-emissions

Fortune (2017) These 100 Companies Are Responsible for Most of the World’s Carbon Emissions

https://fortune.com/2017/07/10/climate-change-green-house-gases/

Yes. We all are.

We get comments like ‘I bet they drive cars’, ‘I bet they eat at McDonalds’, ‘they are all hippies’ etc. Pointing out hypocrisies in individuals as a basis for dismissing them is not an argument. We are ALL hypocrites when it comes to climate change because we currently and inescapably live within a society set up to exploit the environment with no consideration given to sustainability. We are all compelled to do things that contribute to our carbon footprint, whether we like it or not.

Extinction Rebellion is trying to reach an audience which, for 40 years, has ignored the science and asking politely has been ignored. We are facing a climate and ecological crisis that could have been and could yet, just about, be avoidable. Only now does it appear that the powers-that-be are finally starting to take notice. Let’s all do our bit and be respectful towards others striving to do the same, rather than launch out upon easy point-scoring that deflects attention from the crisis we all face.

Modified from an admin post on the We Support Chris Packham Facebook group.  See previous answers above for more on this.

“Critics have long argued that climate change protestors cause more harm than good. But an editorial published by a group of the world’s top climate change biologists has found activism actually drives interest in climate change science…
“They found that the keywords ‘climate action’ and ‘climate emergency’ were generally not searched for in the past, but their use increased 20-fold in 2019.”
Illawara Mercury, Australia Full article

It is very hard to overturn a whole system founded upon unreflective consumerism paying no attention to its environmental impact. The time is past when we could get away with it.

To admit that climate change was real and our actions were the cause,  would mean a rejection of the consumerism we have been brought up to believe was all and everything we needed.  “Bigger, better, faster, MORE!” We’d ALL have had to realise that our food was wrong, our car was wrong, our house was wrong, our holidays were wrong and everyone we lived with was wrong and that we need to change.  George Monbiot explains this and what we must do now to support the youth movement.

Nationally and internationally, Governments have been focused on growth in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), rather than the continuing welfare and even the survival of the people they are meant to serve. This is because large corporations have put pressure on them to stop greener policies and politicians and political parties are doing business with them and receiving large donations from them.

Here’s the other reason:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez grills former Exxon scientists on oil giant’s climate change denial pic.twitter.com/uW6OFrHow2

— The Independent (@Independent) October 25, 2019

Why not join us? Sign up at the bottom of this page. It’s free and you are welcome to become involved in a way that suits you and to experience our support. Well-being is always a central part of what we do.

A rise in climate anxiety has been reported by psychologists and it is hardly surprising.  Watch this 4 minute video by the BBC as part of a “playlist featuring new, challenging and even visionary thinking around climate change and sustainability.”

https://www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/are-you-suffering-from-climate-change-anxiety/p073zgqd

The New Scientist writes, “If the prospect of climate change makes you stressed, anxious or depressed, you aren’t alone. ‘Eco-anxiety is a term that’s used a lot, but it’s misguided if it’s not used in the right way,’ said Sarah Niblock of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) in her opening speech. ‘This is not an illness or disorder, it’s a perfectly normal and healthy reaction.'”

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2220561-stressed-about-climate-change-eight-tips-for-managing-eco-anxiety/#ixzz63ecDEnCc

That said, you should visit your GP if your anxiety is preventing you from going about your normal life.  Other rebels report that GPs have been receptive and helpful.

Many members of Extinction Rebellion Derby (XRDerby) have explained how their climate anxiety is alleviated somewhat  by activism (Extinction Rebellion is clearly making a difference) and you will be surrounded by other people who understand your anxieties.  Sometimes you need a break from explaining over and over to others what should be mainstream realisations, but which aren’t yet.  People need other, like-minded people.  We organise social events to support this.  We take part in community events which are real, committed and which reach out to other people, asking them about their concerns and sharing ours.

Regenerative Culture

Regenerative Culture is a collection of practices and principles that aim to leave rebels better off physically and mentally than before. Checking in with each other, encouraging others to step back when they are doing too much and also swapping roles helps to keep each group going. You will be invited to join an affinity group of like-minded individuals. We are also planning grief ceremonies which tap into practices from a time when grief was communal. More can be read elsewhere in this FAQ.

Do something!

While XR Derby is a protest group and not responsible for providing solutions, we do connect with many local groups who are making a difference, such as:

Derby Climate Coalition https://www.facebook.com/DerbyClimate/

Trees for Derby https://treesforderby.org/

Attend the monthly Green Forum inside Derby City Council House.  For an explanation see here. The next event should be announced on our events page

How to Rebel Against Your Own Extinction

When your government fails to protect you, we believe it is your duty to rebel – and it feels great!

Here’s many different ways to rebel (even from home). See: https://rebellionderby.earth/how-to-rebel-against-your-own-extinction

Don’t forget to sign up below to be added to our mailing list for a newsletter.  That way you will feel connected and you will find out more than what is posted on here.

Further ideas

Regenerative Culture is a collection of practices and principles that aim to leave you and your fellow rebels better off physically and mentally than before. 

Checking in with each other, encouraging others to step back when they are doing too much and also swapping roles helps to keep the group going. We all have our own tools and resources to help support us in these different areas. Part of taking care of ourselves is reflecting on our capacity and pre-existing physical, emotional, and mental resources,and our particular lifestyle situation as we join and support XR Derby. To do this we need to take Personal Responsibility and continuously ‘track’ ourselves; being aware of our tendencies with regards to taking on too much, the impact of societal conditioning on us, our privileged position, our limits, the feelings, judgements, desires, expectations that come from engaging in the issues.

Here are some of the ways Regenerative Culture (RC) is used in Extinction Rebellion (XR):

• Wellbeing before actions – create a time and space for listening to how people are feeling.
• Wellbeing on actions, carry water, snacks, blankets or sun cream, ask people how they are feeling, be a listening ear
• Wellbeing after actions: setting up a debrief and space for discussing all your experiences, offering reiki, massage, alternative healing, Bach’s flower remedies, food sharing, art therapy, walks or other activities that may help you.
• Ongoing wellbeing to arrange discussions of fears, and to hold grief ceremonies, along with the support of trained therapists.
• RC should permeate all XR activities, resources for people’s mental wellbeing, giving positive energy to the drive towards inclusion and diversity.

If you would like to know more about Regenerative Culture or you believe you have something to offer to support its further development, we would love you to join our Regenerative Culture working group.  See CIRCLES.

We always apologise for the disruption we cause and we do not want to cause distress to individuals. But we are forced to stop “business as usual” and we are calling for rapid and massive changes to avert climate catastrophe.

We would prefer not to stand in the cold and rain or remain for long periods locked to a car or glued to a road in discomfort. We would prefer not to risk arrest or have to support others who are willing to make that sacrifice. However, what has been relied upon before – all the letters, petitions, marches and other traditional forms of campaigning – have failed almost entirely. Some of our members have been campaigning for over fifty years and have come to see XR’s approach as the only one left. We also stand on the shoulders of amazing indigenous people, environmental groups, charities, scientists, writers and celebrities but they have all been ignored.

Studies of existing social research have discovered that the only way to bring about dramatic changes in society has been through mass participation nonviolent direct action.

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA) is a strategy involving organising ourselves into groups prepared to put our bodies in direct contact with or to directly oppose forces that we can see are destructive or causing harm. NVDA strategies as we know them now developed out of the nonviolent campaigns to end British rule of India, most commonly associated with Gandhi, and in the struggle for Civil Rights in the US in the 50s and 60s, most commonly associated with Dr Martin Luther King.

If you would like to know more about NVDA and how we maintain the discipline of peacefulness during protests, please come along to our next NVDA training which will be announced on our events page. We always clean up after our protests and we always ban alcohol and drug misuse.

Christiana Figueres, the woman who led the negotiations for the Paris Agreement has called for civil disobedience to force institutions to respond to the climate crisis. Read Former UN Climate Chief Calls For Civil Disobedience