New year, new decade. Yet the science is the same as it's been my whole life and never before has it been more urgent to make some radical changes to society. Mainly, to stop using so much fossil fuel - ancient fossilised sunlight, to stop destroying forests and polluting nature. It's time we reconsider what it actually means to be human, what it means to live. What is it all about? And it's certainly not about supporting an unsustainable, undefinable thing called 'The Economy'.
After 15 years of activism in various forms, I had become pretty disillusioned with direct action and focused more on regenerative work towards an alternative, more sustainable future.
Then Extinction Rebellion came along. Just over a year ago. And it gave me fresh hope and energy to get back on the front line. This time, going further than ever before, and getting myself arrested three times.
A few days before Christmas, I spent a couple of hours back in London City Magistrates Court. I was arrested at an action in October. It seems our Governments and businesses don't want to face the truth. These are systemic issues that can't be left to individuals alone. If you are unsure of what I'm saying, please read the climate science.
I was given an opportunity to read a statement to the judges. I'd like to share with you what I read:
After 15 years of activism in various forms, I had become pretty disillusioned with direct action and focused more on regenerative work towards an alternative, more sustainable future.
Then Extinction Rebellion came along. Just over a year ago. And it gave me fresh hope and energy to get back on the front line. This time, going further than ever before, and getting myself arrested three times.
A few days before Christmas, I spent a couple of hours back in London City Magistrates Court. I was arrested at an action in October. It seems our Governments and businesses don't want to face the truth. These are systemic issues that can't be left to individuals alone. If you are unsure of what I'm saying, please read the climate science.
I was given an opportunity to read a statement to the judges. I'd like to share with you what I read:
"I consider myself to be a law-abiding, morally-driven, educated, rational, empathic member of our global society.
Eighteen years ago i graduated with a degree in Economics - where I learned that business was destroying our planet. I started to read about climate science.
Following that, I travelled around the world and saw the negative effects of the global economy and consumption.
I joined Greenpeace and spent much of my spare time campaigning for change. At the end of my 20’s, I was distraught about the state of the environment and business-as-usual, so I left the UK for the Global South to learn how to live more sustainably and in harmony with the Earth.
Three years later, I returned to the UK inspired with rich learnings and continued my new career in education.
I have since studied a post-grad Masters degree in Economics for Transition and recently published a book based on my research about the value of water and our relationship to it.
In June, City Airport announced plans to expand by increasing their flights.
10,000 Londoners die every year from air pollution.
Noise and air pollution effects our mental health, lungs, heart and the foetus of unborn children.
The IPCC report last October stated that we need: “rapid, far-reaching, unprecedented changes to all areas of society”. This includes reducing flights!
This October, I chose to put my body in the way of business-as-usual to exercise my right to protest. This was a last resort. The climate science has been available since before I was born!
I feel this was my moral duty as a UK citizen. In other countries, fellow protesters are being beaten and murdered for doing the same. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action.
I am a Conscientious Earth Protector and I had to act."
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