Extinction Rebellion UK - May 2020

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

About 200 people arrested so far at extinction rebellion protests.
Giant pink table removed. Small pink structure erected at Oxford circus.
It all looks rather low key so far, but of course something more spectacular may be planned for the holiday weekend.

[TonyK]

I didn't realise that anything was still happening.

[broadgage]

I didn't realise that anything was still happening.

Nothing much IS happening at present. Not sure if the protest has petered out, or if they are planning something else for the holiday weekend.

[Phantom]

I didn't realise that anything was still happening.

Nothing much IS happening at present. Not sure if the protest has petered out, or if they are planning something else for the holiday weekend.

Shame yesterday they took their demonstration to the fountains outside Buckingham Palace, red dye in the fountains and red paint over the monuments....... yet again they have crossed the line

[TonyK]

Shame yesterday they took their demonstration to the fountains outside Buckingham Palace, red dye in the fountains and red paint over the monuments....... yet again they have crossed the line

I think it possible that the almost total lack of coverage of the various antics has forced them to acts of wanton vandalism against public property in a desperate attempt to get some attention. The news agenda is pretty full at the moment.

[Witham Bobby]

Tom Slater at Spiked puts it all rather well ...

https://www.spiked-online.com/2021/08/26/extinction-rebellion-doesnt-care-what-you-think/?utm_source=Today+on+spiked&utm_campaign=959182004d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2021_08_26_03_42&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b6dc1b7df1-959182004d-99427646

[broadgage]

Shame yesterday they took their demonstration to the fountains outside Buckingham Palace, red dye in the fountains and red paint over the monuments....... yet again they have crossed the line

I think it possible that the almost total lack of coverage of the various antics has forced them to acts of wanton vandalism against public property in a desperate attempt to get some attention. The news agenda is pretty full at the moment.

Was not aware of the protest outside Buckingham palace, due to the lack of reporting of same.
And yes I agree that they are looking a bit desperate to get some attention.

This time of year was known as the "silly season" when not much happens and the papers contained only gossip and odd reports about two headed snakes, and dogs giving birth to kittens.
This year however Afghanistan  has provided real news and crowded out most of the froth.

[TonyK]

There is a report in my paper today - slightly more than I first realised, on page 10. Afghanistan occupies the first 7 pages. Other items of greater importance followed, including a photograph of a vintage tractor collection, news of a lack of blood collection tubes, and a report of a vital medical study into whether size matters. Climate change then got two reports, one about the XR^▸ (Crossrail) folks being upset about the royals mistreating animals, and one about climate change being more of a worry than it was last year, but not among younger people so much.

If the plan was to hit the front pages, it has failed. Bit disappointing.

[Rhydgaled]

It is regrettable that they drive a diesel car and even more regrettable that they flew 11,000 miles for a holiday. Like many, they claim not to be able to afford an electric car. Would NOT taking the the holiday have paid for an EV ?

And yes, wider policies ARE more important than pointing the finger at one person, but founders of XR^▸ (Crossrail) should perhaps set an example.

Diesel cars are more fuel-efficient than petrol are they not, so a diesel is a lower-CO2 choice than an equivalent petrol vehicle? Note that I said 'equivalent' - a heavy diesel SUV is probably going to get through more fuel than a lightweight petrol family car. Yes the particulates and NOX from diesel vehicles kill people, but in terms of climate change does the increased NOX (which I believe are greenhouse gasses) from a diesel outweigh the reduced CO2?

Flying on holiday though? That I cannot defend, prominent members of XR really should be setting an example by not flying.

[broadgage]

Diesel cars are indeed preferable to petrol on global warming grounds. A liter of petrol or a liter of diesel emit about the same carbon dioxide when burnt.
But diesel engines are more efficient, so the liter of diesel fuel will take the vehicle a greater distance.

Diesel engines do unfortunately emit more fine particles and other pollutants, these are of negligible GLOBAL significance but can have serious local health effects.

Both should whenever possible be replaced by cycling, walking or electric vehicles for local journeys and by trains for greater distances.

[broadgage]

This sort of thing is becoming popular,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-58676610

Whilst not claiming to be XR^▸ (Crossrail), this lot are in my view very similar.
Last week they repeatedly blocked motorways, and a court injunction was granted to deter repetition of such tactics. So now blocking port of Dover.

[Bmblbzzz]

I read elsewhere that Insulate Britain was started by one of the founders of XR^▸ (Crossrail).

[broadgage]

I read elsewhere that Insulate Britain was started by one of the founders of XR^▸ (Crossrail).

Was not aware of that but it certainly sounds probable in view of the similarities.

[TonyK]

I read elsewhere that Insulate Britain was started by one of the founders of XR^▸ (Crossrail).

Was not aware of that but it certainly sounds probable in view of the similarities.

One is a retired Bristol GP, whose name eludes me for the moment. I'm glad she never had any of my vital organs in her hands, but you never know, do you? They split from XR because they didn't think it was aggressive enough in its methods. One of their plans is to have lots of their members in prison in time for COP26, and I am very much in favour of that, even if s lot of them do look rather elderly. I think they would enjoy their time behind bars, especially if they are still glued to the bit of M25 that was chiselled up to get them away quickly.

I am very much in favour of insulation, too, and have rather a lot of it myself. I also put loads in my previous home, all of which was extremely cheap at B&Q or Wickes. I believe there are already plenty of schemes to help those who can't do the work themselves, so I am not sure what the fuss is all about.

[ChrisB]

Frankly, there are more pressing actions needed that will cut emmissions far sooner & quicker than insulation. I wonder why they chose this action?