Extinction Rebellion

Definition

Extinction Rebellion is a global environmental movement that uses nonviolent civil disobedience to compel governments to take immediate action against climate change and biodiversity loss. The movement emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis, advocating for systemic change in how societies approach environmental issues, and aims to raise awareness about the potential extinction of species, including humanity itself, due to ecological degradation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Extinction Rebellion was founded in the UK in October 2018 and quickly gained international attention for its disruptive protests and bold demands.
2. The movement operates on principles of nonviolence, community engagement, and the promotion of ecological sustainability, using tactics like roadblocks, sit-ins, and mass mobilizations.
3. Their key demands include governments telling the truth about the climate crisis, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2025, and creating a citizens' assembly on climate action.
4. Extinction Rebellion has been influential in shifting public discourse around climate change, making it a more urgent political issue and influencing other movements globally.
5. The organization has faced both support and backlash, raising discussions about the effectiveness of civil disobedience in achieving political change and the ethics of disrupting daily life for environmental causes.

Review Questions

• How does Extinction Rebellion's approach to activism differ from traditional environmental movements?
  • Extinction Rebellion distinguishes itself by employing nonviolent civil disobedience as a core strategy to create urgency around climate action. Unlike traditional environmental movements that may focus on policy advocacy or grassroots campaigns, Extinction Rebellion aims to disrupt everyday activities through protests and actions that demand immediate government response. This approach is designed to raise awareness about the severity of the climate crisis and mobilize public support for radical changes.
• Discuss the impact of Extinction Rebellion on public perception of climate change as a social issue.
  • Extinction Rebellion has played a crucial role in elevating climate change as a pressing social issue in public discourse. By staging high-profile protests and employing shocking visuals, they have captured media attention and provoked widespread discussion about ecological emergencies. Their message emphasizes that climate change is not just an environmental problem but also a social justice issue that affects all aspects of life, thus broadening the conversation around responsibility and action across different sectors of society.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Extinction Rebellion's methods in driving political change regarding climate policy.
  • The effectiveness of Extinction Rebellion's methods can be evaluated through their ability to galvanize public awareness and influence political discourse around climate policies. While their disruptive tactics have sparked debates about the ethics of civil disobedience, they have also succeeded in bringing urgency to discussions about government accountability and systemic reform. The movement's push for ambitious targets like net-zero emissions by 2025 has pressured politicians and policymakers to reconsider their approaches to climate issues. However, ongoing challenges remain in translating public concern into actionable legislation, highlighting both successes and limitations in their impact on political change.

Related terms

Climate Justice: A movement that seeks to address the social inequalities and injustices resulting from climate change, advocating for equitable solutions that prioritize vulnerable communities.

Fridays for Future: A global youth-led climate strike movement initiated by Greta Thunberg, encouraging students to protest for stronger climate policies and action against climate change.

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and resilience against environmental changes.