Anna Taylor writes:

April has been quite the month for climate action. The organisation I co-founded, the UK Student Climate Network, held its third Youth Strike 4 Climate demonstrations just two weeks ago which for the third month in succession saw tens of thousands take to the streets across the UK demanding climate justice and a Green New Deal. Extinction Rebellion also kicked off a huge act of extended nonviolent civil disobedience by reclaiming public spaces in London and causing widespread disruption to protest climate breakdown. Many hope this could be a crucial turning point in Britain’s political approach to addressing the climate crisis.

Thousands of people taking positive climate action for the very first time are feeling empowered by bringing their rage and frustration at climate inaction to the streets, visibly demonstrating their discontent. Looking at those taking part in all of these actions shows the potential of an emerging group to drive necessary legislative change. At the youth strikes I look around and see today’s brave and courageous climate activists – and tomorrow’s voters. Meanwhile, lots of current voters have been frequenting Marble Arch, Parliament Square and other sites previously occupied by Extinction Rebellion. All of these people, alongside those engaged by TV shows such as Our Planet and Climate Change: The Facts are becoming a new voting demographic: the climate vote bloc.

When we’re shielded from the truths of the climate crisis it’s impossible to understand the gravity of the situation. Both movements are doing fantastic work to make the climate a mainstream issue and help understanding of the crisis we face to spread widely. [Continue reading…]