Hearing reports the British House of Commons has declared a climate emergency. This is what good organizing does–and it's the first step to real change. Many thanks to @ExtinctionR, @ClimateStrike @GretaThunberg and everyone else!
— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) May 1, 2019
Yesterday, as DW reported, after a week and a half of protests in London by climate change activists, the British Parliament has declared a symbolic “environment and climate change emergency.” Lawmakers backed a call by Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, for “rapid and dramatic action” to protect the environment. The non-binding motion calls on Prime Minister Theresa May’s government to make proposals to Parliament in the next six months to “restore the UK’s natural environment and to deliver a circular, zero waste economy.”
Why This Matters: 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben tweeted out the important reminder that Parliament declared a climate emergency because they were continually pressured to do so by activists. Imagine what we could achieve in the United States if we used our power of protest and boycott to move lawmakers and companies who give to climate-denying politicians to change their actions? Given the money in the American political system makes it more difficult for average people to sway the votes of sitting lawmakers, we can’t underestimate our voice and ability to organize to ensure that we elect politicians who are willing to take bold action on climate change.
May 1, 2019 » parliament, politics, protest
