As we continue to see climate and ecological breakdown all around us, more and more people deeply understand we are living in a new age, that the world is different now, and that the systems we’ve known are collapsing before our eyes.

And yet the government continues business as usual. Despite the IPCC reports. Despite the lives – human and non-human – that are already lost.

They are gaslighting us – by acting like the climate and ecological crisis is years away, by ignoring scientists' urgent calls to action, and by refusing to take the steps we need to start transforming our systems from finite and brittle to strong and resilient.

We will not be complicit in a system that is leading us to destruction.

This is not about politics, and this is not about differences. The ship is sinking, and we have two options: watch it go down or try to stop it.

We will not be bystanders. No one is coming to save us – it’s on us to create a livable future.

We're building a mass movement for a livable future, and this spring rebellion is the starting block. Our strategy is based on three important principles:

1. Non-violent direct action (disruptive civil disobedience) has been successful in the past, even in areas where change seemed impossible.

2. Research shows that mobilizing 3.5% of the population in sustained, non-violent direct action has never failed to bring about change.

3. The reasons behind our leaders' failure to act on climate are complex: power/political dynamics and profit systems within government, media, and financial institutions create damaging feedback loops that paralyze and prevent progress. 

As such, the spring rebellion will focus on direct action targeting these three branches of the climate crisis (See Our Demands below) as well as movement building and growth to get us closer to the 3.5% goal (See Extinction Rebellion Festival events below).

1) Immediately ban all new fossil fuel projects now (see International Energy Agency)

2) Declare a climate and ecological emergency and take bold action for a just transition to renewable energy sources

3) End subsidies for fossil fuel companies 

4) Work with the public, businesses and other institutions to communicate the urgent need for change

5) Create and be led by the decisions of Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice, prioritizing a just transition that centers the needs of Black people, Indigenous peoples, people of color and other marginalized communities

1) Stop the harm by banning funding for new fossil fuel projects now (see International Energy Agency)

2) Adopt and act on 2030 climate targets that are aligned with the goals of the UN 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting warming to 1.5c. This must include plans for phasing out existing investments in fossil fuels, deforestation, and harmful fisheries. 

1) Hold governments accountable by declaring a climate and ecological emergency and reporting it as a matter of priority -- headlines everyday (see Covering Climate Now)

2) Remove financial conflicts of interest:

a) No fossil fuel ads (see NYT Tobacco and The Guardian)

b) Divest from fossil fuel companies (including pension funds)

3) Educate the public about the:

a) Necessity of banning all new fossil fuel infrastructure, rapidly quitting fossil fuels, and ending deforestation

b) Short window of time for avoiding 1.5 to 2c of warming, and what this means for the future

c) Global injustice where the poorest and most vulnerable are by far the hardest hit by the climate crisis, but also the least responsible

d) Devastating consequences of extinctions and biodiversity loss already underway, for humankind and for all of life

3) Necessity of systemic political and societal change

See Media Standards for further details.