THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSFORMATION

We are standing on a precipice. We can acknowledge the truth of what we are facing, or we can continue to kick the can down the road and allow the effects of a heating planet to have even more detrimental outcomes on all living beings. We are already locked in to a certain amount of warming and biodiversity loss, but there is still time to change this story.

The IPCC report states that we need to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 to avoid a rise of over 1.5C degrees, which would take a massive drawdown in carbon emissions, and drastic change in how we are living and interacting with the Earth.

But guess what? The rapid, mass mobilization of people and governments to Covid 19 shows us how quickly we can turn things around when required. The pandemic has shown us that a response in equal proportion to the problem, is both possible and necessary. We have the example; we have seen we can massively shift our behaviors and economic systems when required. Now is the time to acknowledge the facts of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, and apply the same thinking – mitigate and adapt to a future that is quickly barreling towards us. Build resilient systems, support the most vulnerable, shift to regenerative and distributive economies, and live within our ecological boundaries. We can shift the systems that have brought us to this point, because we have no other choice. We must reset our relationship with the Earth.

WHAT MAKES XR DIFFERENT?

We are paving a different path. The world we want to live in requires a culture that is healthy, creative, resilient and adaptable. We are facing tough choices and so far, these catastrophes have been met with little effort from governments and institutions to change the trajectory we are on.

What actions have been taken by governments are clearly not enough when you truly grasp the enormity of what we are facing. The Paris Climate Accord should have spurred governments into drastic collective action. It hasn’t. We recognize our institutions are not taking this crisis seriously, and therefore we must shift the power back to the people to make the bold decisions needed through Participatory Democracy and Citizens’ Assemblies.

XR is Beyond Politics – we are not bound by political lines or cultural lines, just as the Climate and Ecological Emergency crosses those same lines. We do not back particular governments or particular political parties.

XR’s Third Demand is part of what makes us different – “Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.” Citizens’ Assemblies around the world are tackling issues politicians are unwilling or afraid to touch. They are structured to help decide the solutions, and how we will collectively accomplish the systems adaptation needed to face the crisis, on the timeline the science tells us is necessary.

A​ Citizens’ Assembly​ brings together everyday people from all walks of life to investigate, discuss, and make recommendations on an issue. Members of the Assembly are selected in a lottery process to ensure they aren’t beholden to any political party or special interest, and to ensure they actually reflect the whole country. This means that anyone can look at a Citizens’ Assembly and see people who look like them, live like them, and share their concerns. With the aid of skilled facilitators, this representative group of everyday people works through information from a wide range of experts and stakeholders. They talk through different views and opinions and find common ground.

Citizens’ Assemblies are used around the world to address important issues that politicians are unwilling, or just plain afraid to touch. There are currently Citizens’ Assemblies on the Climate and Ecological Emergency taking place in France, the UK and Canada.