We need to talk about strategy:

In recent years, a common catchphrase of the British climate movement has been: “We need to talk about strategy.” While protest tactics come in diverse forms, it is often isolated, disruptive stunts that are picked up by the media and elicit strong reactions from the public. 

Extinction Rebellion has had real success with this provocative approach. The group made a name for itself with its controversial direct actions.

In 2018 and 2019, the early days of the movement, XR activists engaged in protests ranging from blocking major London roads with a pink boat to holding funeral processions and glueing themselves to the gates of Downing Street. 

But recent socio-political shifts have forced the movement to rethink its methods, introducing new complexities and with them, new questions.

How can it send a powerful message and achieve genuine change without becoming polarising? And how can it adapt its strategy to continue raising the alarm in the face of legislation that appears to be set on silencing it? 

To learn more about the action and why it was needed, I spoke to James Harvey, a representative of XR, in the lead-up to the event. Harvey explained that the Big One was designed to be accessible to everyone and to bring thousands together around a set of shared values and demands. 

To lead a just transition, movements need to be inclusive and encompass diverse perspectives. 

The Big One showed a gentler side to the group. It reflected a desire to start conversations and form a wide coalition.

The 'why' behind the protest

Harvey argued the science is clear on why we need to take action, even as we continue to discuss questions relating to how we build resilient movements that bring about lasting change. 

He said: “The IPCC report came out recently and told us the facts on it, which is we haven't got very long left to make the changes we need to cut emissions. We need to raise the alarm and protest because governments–our government, and governments around the world–simply aren't doing enough.” 

The UK government has set a goal to reach net zero by 2050. In March, it published the 2030 Strategic Framework for International Climate and Nature Action. 

In the foreword, the Framework outlines the UK’s commitments to climate leadership. It reads: “Just over a year ago in Glasgow, we agreed at COP26 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. World leaders agreed to decarbonise key sectors of the global economy, build resilience to climate impacts, protect nature and mobilise finance."

I asked Harvey how he’d respond to the argument that the UK government is already doing enough to hit climate targets: 

In addition to the elevated risk of natural disasters caused by climate change, experts warn we are also faced with the increased threat of disease spreading. I spoke to Dr Emma Sheppard and Dr Becca Elson at the Big One in Parliament Square. They explained why it’s important to understand that the climate crisis is also a health crisis. 

Therefore, while the UK government has shown a willingness to act, activists are not satisfied that the measure it is implementing and believe the speed at which it is responding is not proportional to the urgency of the crisis.

I spoke to Ellen and Aspen from Green New Deal Rising at the Big One to find out more about their strategy, and why they believe today’s young people can be the generation to win a Green New Deal.