Blue Wave 2: The Clyde Is Rising And So Are We

• Hundreds expected at the second BLUE WAVE parade on Saturday 29th February through Glasgow TODAY
• The march highlights very real threat to Glasgow of rising sea levels
• Beginning midday at Clydeside Amphitheatre, then walking to Buchanan Street Steps

Today, Extinction Rebellion Glasgow, along with Extinction Rebellion Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire will be holding The Blue Wave to raise awareness of the dangers Glasgow and the world faces from flooding caused by rising sea levels and an increased occurrence of storms.

The Blue Wave will be a fun and family friendly parade through Glasgow.

Sarah Krischer, 27 commented, “These last few weeks have shown how vulnerable both the city and the wider region are to flooding, which is only going to intensify as a result of sea level rise and extreme weather from the climate crisis. The Blue Wave is all about raising awareness of how very present this threat is.” 

A report by Climate Ready Clyde – a coalition of six councils, transport agencies, universities and government agencies – has said that the climate crisis is estimated to cost the Glasgow City Region £400 million a year by 2050 and in many cases disadvantaged and vulnerable groups will be the worst affected. It has also warned that major roads, bridges, rail lines and hospitals are in danger of being damaged or closed.

Climate Central has published an online interactive map which presents the threat of flooding in striking visual detail.

Jim Carruth, poet laureate for Glasgow, who read a poem at last year’s event had this to say: “The world’s climate debate comes to Glasgow this year and it is vital that we actively engage with the conversation and send out a clear message on the urgent steps this city, this country and others need to take. 

Building on the success of last year’s march the Blue Wave 2 is an ideal way for Glaswegians to show their concern not only for the threat that rising sea levels poses in their own city but also to raise awareness of the tremendous damage that is already being done across this wonderful planet of ours.”

This is the second year of The Blue Wave action. Last year it was attended by around 350 people and ended with buckets of water from the Clyde being thrown at the council building to symbolise the coming dangers and to highlight Extinction Rebellion Glasgow’s demands that Glasgow Council declare a climate emergency. As a testament to the fun, family friendly nature of the action the police were present, but no arrests were made.

Ruth Dunster, 58, from East Dumbartonshire “Last year’s Glasgow Blue Wave was a whole new experience for me. The creativity and fun really blew me away. It’s such a serious message about climate change and rising sea levels. So I expected doom and gloom. I didn’t realise we could enjoy being together. We celebrated that we care, and we are doing something about it. I can’t wait for this year’s Blue Wave 2!”

DETAILS

The Blue Wave will begin at the Clydeside Amphitheatre at 12pm where there will be entertainment before we begin our walk to the Buchanan Street Steps. The event will also be attended by a number of other people and groups, including; 

Woodlands Community Volunteers
Glasgow Greenpeace
Glasgow Youth Climate Strike
Scottish Wild Beaver Group
Little Acorns Grow
Animal Rebellion

VISUAL

• We encourage those who want to take part to dress in blues or greens to represent the rising water.
• Signs, banners and other artwork are also strongly encouraged.
• The Blue Wave will be the first outing of The Blue Rebels, akin to the iconic Red Rebels of Extinction Rebellion. 

About Extinction Rebellion Scotland 

Extinction Rebellion Scotland is a non-violent direct-action movement formed to take urgent action in the face of climate emergency and ecological catastrophe, as part of the global justice movement.

Our demands, issued as a Declaration of Rebellion to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government on 24th November 2018, are as follows;

1. That the Scottish Government tell the truth about the climate and wider ecological emergency, acknowledge and reverse any policies that help drive the climate crisis, and commit to enabling a rapid and just transition to a sustainable and fair society.

2. That the Scottish Government enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025, including by replacing a system based on accelerating consumption with one based on ensuring the wellbeing of all.

3. The creation of a legally binding Scottish Climate Citizens’ Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose and a society that cares for all.

www.xrscotland.org
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