Save the bloomin' climate – XR ACT is rising up
Extinction Rebellion (XR) ACT will today join rebels around the world in international rebellion, launching Australia's 'Spring Rebellion'. Hundreds of people are expected to join in disrupting Canberra's Commonwealth Bridge to decry the criminal inaction of our federal government regarding the climate emergency.
While Canberrans enjoy the beauty of Floriade this long weekend, XR ACT is calling attention to the climate crisis that threatens the flowers and the nature we love, through disruption, live music, arts & crafts, and information sessions. Thousands of species are dying under our watch. Our planet will soon be unrecognisable. The human race is hurtling towards extinction.
The science has been clear for 30 years. The latest IPCC report has shown that the situation we are facing is even more dire than previously thought. Sea levels are rising more than twice as fast as they were last century. With more frequent and extreme weather events already disrupting the life we know and love in Australia, it is clear that our government is failing to protect us and our children from the climate emergency.
ACT Rebel, Pete O'Rourke, spoke of his alarm at the future we are facing. "Australians have everything to lose from continued inaction. But politicians continue to ignore our safety, in favour of the interests of big business and their own short-term political gain."
"Today we're telling them, enough is enough. Tell the truth. Act now. It's time to step up and show leadership."
Time is running out. Traditional activism hasn't worked. While the majority of Australians support action on climate change, our government threatens to jail us for speaking up. So today, we stand up to be counted. Today we rise.
Extinction Rebellion calls on the government to:
1. Tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Beyond Politics - create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
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