Current digital actions
We’ve got some digital actions to get you started!
We suggest you set yourself up with Google Alerts for phrases such as Extinction Rebellion Scotland or Scotland climate protests. When there’s a new article, you’ll get a notification. If there’s an opportunity to add positive comments about our actions, you can contact the Digital Rebellion’s Signal channel and let us know.
If you’re on Twitter, take a lot at Tweetdeck to set yourself up with alerts for phrases such as Extinction Rebellion Scotland.
Join the Scotland Digital Rebellion on our Signal channel. (Link works best on mobile)
XR Scotland actions
Climate Citizens Assembly call to action
1. Add comments below the YouTube videos of the Assembly weekends, including to show why they aren’t good enough (e.g. not dealing with system-change; proposing micro-solutions and feel-good actions, etc) and to make suggestions/ links etc. Go to the YouTube videos
2. Sign up to observe Assembly sessions (the next weekend is 12-13 Dec) and give feedback at the end of the weekend (this normally involves watching about 1 and half hour’s worth of 5 or 10 minute videos of evidence input and then joining a 4-30-5.30 discussion review of the weekend). Sign up to observe
3. Write to the Secretariat: Let them know you’re concerned that the process isn’t good enough (see the 2 page outline of our concerns), ask to see their plans for the up-coming weekends. Are they going to open up the process? info@climateassembly.scot
Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill)
Get your MP to support the crucial Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill) – here’s some useful guidance and a template on what to write.
How to deal with set Conservative and Labour MP’s email responses to the CEE Bill
Douglas Ross MP, Support the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill!
Ask Alister Jack to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill
Councillors
People have started getting in touch with their local councillors with motions on the CEE Bill already been passed by some English councils. If you haven’t yet, do send one of these draft notices of motion to your councillors:
- Draft notice of motion for councils which have declared a climate emergency
- Draft notice of motion for councils which have not declared a climate emergency
And here is a helpful website to find out who your councillors are. Local authorities are important in pushing for change at the national level. Motions are proposals discussed and voted on at council meetings. The more councils across the UK that pass motions in favour of the CEE Bill, the more pressure is put on MPs in those areas to back the Bill in Parliament.
A sample letter for writing to your council is available but please note that you will need to adapt it.
Other actions: quick and easy
Say NO to detrimental developments at Musselburgh Lagoons
BNP Paribas : stop bankrolling deforestation
Petition: Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
To world leaders: Stop the next pandemic and save nature
To all European Union leaders: Don’t let the Amazon burn
Petition: Stop the Cumbria Coal Mine!
Sign the international Ecocide Law petition
38 environmental charities have set-up a petition to Fight for Scotland’s Nature.
Save COUL LINKS protected nature from destructive Déjà Vu Golf Course Development
Bank of England: Stop Funding the Climate Crisis!
To: Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform: Stop grouse shooting’s war on wildlife
Other actions: need a bit more work
Switch to another bank – get inspired by how a Moray pensioner quit Barclays after 75 years because of its dirty investments in fossil fuels. You can also use this template bank letter to write to your bank. (Please note that those receiving benefits are not advised to switch banks in case it affects their status.
Meet your MSP and speak up for a Just and Green Recovery from coronavirus (Wed 4 – Wed 11 November 2020)
Some tips on tackling negative comments
We don’t have to change the minds of the trolls, just the ones lurking and watching unsure yet of what to think. Also – when you start talking (reasonably) to people, it’s often not XR they’re angry with, it’s a whole load of other things.
Be careful getting into arguments with people about being hypocrites – this is THE most common internet troll attack we receive. Don’t set yourself up as the ‘good’ environmentalist, because that embeds their framing of the problem. We are all compromised by modern living which is why we need govt to bring about change. Just because we have to live in the modern world (drive cars, take trains, use computers) doesn’t mean we can’t demand change. Remember that individuals can make choices, but are not to blame – 100 companies are responsible for 71% emissions. BP created the carbon footprint to shift the blame onto the individual.
From the Economist (Sept 2020): Consumer action on its own can only do so much. One study, led by Daniel Moran of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, examined the effect on Europe’s carbon footprint of 90 behavioural changes, such as buying low-carbon products and eating less meat. Researchers found that the maximum reduction was 24%. That is an important chunk, but not enough to defeat global warming. The conclusion is that policymakers are needed even more than consumers to push companies towards serious decarbonisation.
Understanding the psychology of trolls and climate deniers
Psychological barriers to climate change
Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds
Resources
How to connect with Difficult MPs
The Nervous Rebel’s Guide to Social Media
Rebel Responders Online Outreach Handbook (Troll Patrol)
Digital regeneration
Choose oil / choose life – an excellent article by writer Robert Alcock on Writers Rebel.
“I found this short video inspired and hopeful” – How regenerative farming can help heal the planet and human health
A peaceful and beautiful reminder of who XR are, and why from our friends at XR Fort William: We are XR
‘We’ve had so many wins’: why the green movement can overcome climate crisis