Join us this September, as millions of us walk out of our homes and workplaces to join young people in the streets for the biggest global climate strike yet.
Strike for Climate and Demand a Decarbonisation Date from our States on the 27th September!
The climate crisis is an emergency. Between Sept 20th and September 27th 2019, people all around the world are walking out of their homes and workplaces to join youth-led #ClimateStrike actions demanding that leaders respond to this emergency.
This is not an Extinction Rebellion event, but rather Guernsey's representation generally for the Global Climate Strike.
We have chosen Friday 27th September to join in and show solidarity to the thousands around striking for climate. Without a habitable climate there is no economy, certainly not an equitable and humane one.
Both employers and politicians must be held to account and give the climate crisis the urgent attention it deserves. Striking (or taking time off work, but letting everyone know why you’re doing it!) for climate at scale is an unprecedented step and will signal that business as usual is a dangerous proposition.
Over the last year, students in over 150 countries, at over 4000 events, have walked out of school to protest the existential threat to their futures that few are taking seriously enough. Now large numbers of people are planning climate actions in the week 20-27th September, be that protesting against oil pipelines, airport expansions or the banks that fund them. By taking part in the Guernsey strike, we will be supporting them all.
As Greta Thunberg, founder of the School Strikes for Climate movement said:
“We’re asking adults to step up alongside us. There are many different plans under way in different parts of the world for adults to join together and step up and out of your comfort zone for our climate. Let’s all join together, with your neighbours, co-workers, friends, family and go out on to the streets to make your voices heard and make this a turning point in our history.
This is about crossing lines – it’s about rebelling wherever one can rebel. It’s not about saying “Yeah, what the kids do is great, if I was young I would have totally joined in.” Everyone can and must help.”
The climate strikes are supported by a diverse coalition of NGOs, social movements and trade unions, including Amnesty International, Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth International: https://globalclimatestrike.net/partners/
The States of Guernsey are currently developing a climate policy and action plan (promised by May 2020), but they have not yet committed to a decarbonisation date, renewable energy target or made any meaningful spending or policy commitments.
We do not find this to be acceptable. Our simple, peaceful protest outside Frossard House will have the three following demands:
1) Give us a decarbonisation target date. Many countries now have one - there's no excuse not to.
2) Bring forward the release of the Climate Change Action Plan. May 2020 is too late.
3) Release further information about renewable energy targets.
We will reiterate the need for urgency and ambition. It is MUCH better to meet the majority of an ambitious target than all of a feeble one. The target must inform the actions taken, and not the other way around.
What is radical is that we will have walked out of school or our workplaces, disrupted the economy, even in a minor way, to signal that we are going nowhere until urgent, equitable action is committed to. That includes a commitment to a decarbonisation date, proper spending commitments and policies which will not do not place the burden of the green transition on those least able to afford it. The green transition should make society more equal, not less.
Whether you strike, take a day or half day's leave, or just pop along in your lunch hour, all are welcome to be involved at the level that they feel comfortable with. We’re aware that in an unequal society, not everyone is able to strike or take time off. There will be a petition and ways to show support for those unable to attend, available shortly.
You also don't have to be working at the moment to join in - full time parents/guardians, students, retired islanders and everyone else are more than welcome.
Much more information about the global strike here: https://globalclimatestrike.net/#faq