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| Facts about our ecological crisis are incontrovertible. We must take action | Facts about our ecological crisis are incontrovertible. We must take action |
| (7 days later) | |
| We the undersigned represent diverse academic disciplines, and the views expressed here are those of the signatories and not their organisations. While our academic perspectives and expertise may differ, we are united on one point: we will not tolerate the failure of this or any other government to take robust and emergency action in respect of the worsening ecological crisis. The science is clear, the facts are incontrovertible, and it is unconscionable to us that our children and grandchildren should have to bear the terrifying brunt of an unprecedented disaster of our own making. | We the undersigned represent diverse academic disciplines, and the views expressed here are those of the signatories and not their organisations. While our academic perspectives and expertise may differ, we are united on one point: we will not tolerate the failure of this or any other government to take robust and emergency action in respect of the worsening ecological crisis. The science is clear, the facts are incontrovertible, and it is unconscionable to us that our children and grandchildren should have to bear the terrifying brunt of an unprecedented disaster of our own making. |
| We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with about 200 species becoming extinct each day. Humans cannot continue to violate the fundamental laws of nature or of science with impunity. If we continue on our current path, the future for our species is bleak. | We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with about 200 species becoming extinct each day. Humans cannot continue to violate the fundamental laws of nature or of science with impunity. If we continue on our current path, the future for our species is bleak. |
| Our government is complicit in ignoring the precautionary principle, and in failing to acknowledge that infinite economic growth on a planet with finite resources is non-viable. Instead, the government irresponsibly promotes rampant consumerism and free-market fundamentalism, and allows greenhouse gas emissions to rise. Earth Overshoot Day (the date when humans have used up more resources from nature than the planet can renew in the entire year) falls ever earlier each year (1 August in 2018). | Our government is complicit in ignoring the precautionary principle, and in failing to acknowledge that infinite economic growth on a planet with finite resources is non-viable. Instead, the government irresponsibly promotes rampant consumerism and free-market fundamentalism, and allows greenhouse gas emissions to rise. Earth Overshoot Day (the date when humans have used up more resources from nature than the planet can renew in the entire year) falls ever earlier each year (1 August in 2018). |
| When a government wilfully abrogates its responsibility to protect its citizens from harm and to secure the future for generations to come, it has failed in its most essential duty of stewardship. The “social contract” has been broken, and it is therefore not only our right, but our moral duty to bypass the government’s inaction and flagrant dereliction of duty, and to rebel to defend life itself. | When a government wilfully abrogates its responsibility to protect its citizens from harm and to secure the future for generations to come, it has failed in its most essential duty of stewardship. The “social contract” has been broken, and it is therefore not only our right, but our moral duty to bypass the government’s inaction and flagrant dereliction of duty, and to rebel to defend life itself. |
| We therefore declare our support for Extinction Rebellion, launching on 31 October 2018. We fully stand behind the demands for the government to tell the hard truth to its citizens. We call for a Citizens’ Assembly to work with scientists on the basis of the extant evidence and in accordance with the precautionary principle, to urgently develop a credible plan for rapid total decarbonisation of the economy.Dr Alison Green Pro vice-chancellor (academic), Arden University, National Director (UK) Scientists WarningProfessor Joy Carter Vice-chancellor, University of WinchesterDr Rowan WilliamsDanny Dorling Halford Mackinder professor of geography, University of OxfordJem Bendell Professor of sustainability leadership, University of CumbriaDr Ian Gibson Former Chair, House of Commons Science and Technology Select CommitteeDr Susie Orbach Consultant psychoanalyst, The Balint ConsultancyDavid Drew MP, Shadow minister (environment, food and rural affairs)Professor Molly Scott Cato MEPShahrar Ali PhD, Green Party home affairs spokespersonPeter Belton Professor emeritus of chemistry, University of East AngliaDr Simon Boxley Centre for Climate Change Education & Communication, University of WinchesterErik Buitenhuis Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East AngliaDave Humphreys Professor of environmental policy, Open UniversityAndrew Simms Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex; NEFArran Stibbe Professor of ecological linguistics, University of GloucestershireDr Rupert Read Reader in philosophy, University of East AngliaRichard House PhD (Env sci) Chartered psychologist, Stroud | We therefore declare our support for Extinction Rebellion, launching on 31 October 2018. We fully stand behind the demands for the government to tell the hard truth to its citizens. We call for a Citizens’ Assembly to work with scientists on the basis of the extant evidence and in accordance with the precautionary principle, to urgently develop a credible plan for rapid total decarbonisation of the economy.Dr Alison Green Pro vice-chancellor (academic), Arden University, National Director (UK) Scientists WarningProfessor Joy Carter Vice-chancellor, University of WinchesterDr Rowan WilliamsDanny Dorling Halford Mackinder professor of geography, University of OxfordJem Bendell Professor of sustainability leadership, University of CumbriaDr Ian Gibson Former Chair, House of Commons Science and Technology Select CommitteeDr Susie Orbach Consultant psychoanalyst, The Balint ConsultancyDavid Drew MP, Shadow minister (environment, food and rural affairs)Professor Molly Scott Cato MEPShahrar Ali PhD, Green Party home affairs spokespersonPeter Belton Professor emeritus of chemistry, University of East AngliaDr Simon Boxley Centre for Climate Change Education & Communication, University of WinchesterErik Buitenhuis Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East AngliaDave Humphreys Professor of environmental policy, Open UniversityAndrew Simms Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex; NEFArran Stibbe Professor of ecological linguistics, University of GloucestershireDr Rupert Read Reader in philosophy, University of East AngliaRichard House PhD (Env sci) Chartered psychologist, Stroud |
| Ronald Barnett Emeritus professor of higher education, University College London Institute of EducationEmeritus Professor Michael Bassey Nottingham Trent UniversityProfessor Woody Caan Editor, Journal of Public Mental HealthClaire Callender, Professor of higher education, Birkbeck and UCL Institute of Education Simon Capewell MD DSc, Professor of clinical epidemiology, University of LiverpoolProfessor Andrew Cooper Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust; University of East LondonEmeritus Professor Tricia DavidWindy Dryden Emeritus professor of psychotherapeutic studies, Goldsmiths University of London Suman Fernando Honorary professor, London Metropolitan UniversityProfessor Mark Ford, University College LondonProfessor Gary FrancioneHarvey Goldstein Professor of social statistics, University of BristolJonathan Gosling Emeritus professor of leadership studies, University of ExeterPaul Hoggett Emeritus professor of social policy, UWE, BristolWendy Hollway Emeritus professor of psychology, Open UniversityProfessor John Hughes University of GloucestershireProfessor Simon Kelley University of EdinburghAdrian Kendry Visiting Chair in economics and security, University of WinchesterKarin Lesnik-Oberstein Professor of critical theory, University of ReadingDel Loewenthal Emeritus professor in psychotherapy, University of RoehamptonProfessor Mark Maslin FRGS, FRSA University College LondonMartin Milton Professor of counselling psychology, Regents University LondonProfessor Dany Nobus Brunel University LondonProfessor Jayne Osgood Middlesex University, mother, feminist, activistProfessor Ann Phoenix University of LondonRichard Pring Emeritus professor, University of OxfordPeter Reason Professor emeritus, University of BathProfessor Diane Reay University of CambridgeLynne Segal Anniversary Professor of psychosocial studies, Birkbeck, University of LondonFarzana Shain Professor of sociology of Education, Keele UniversityPrem Sikka Professor of accounting and finance, University of SheffieldProfessor Ernesto Spinelli ES Associates, LondonDr Guy Standing Professorial research associate, SOAS, University of LondonBrian Thorne Emeritus professor (counselling), University of East AngliaFrederick Toates Emeritus professor of biological psychology, Open University Dr Steve Tombs Professor of criminology, Open University Tony Watts OBE Emeritus professor of career development, University of DerbyMichael J. Wright Ph.D., Emeritus professor in cognitive neuroscience, London | Ronald Barnett Emeritus professor of higher education, University College London Institute of EducationEmeritus Professor Michael Bassey Nottingham Trent UniversityProfessor Woody Caan Editor, Journal of Public Mental HealthClaire Callender, Professor of higher education, Birkbeck and UCL Institute of Education Simon Capewell MD DSc, Professor of clinical epidemiology, University of LiverpoolProfessor Andrew Cooper Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust; University of East LondonEmeritus Professor Tricia DavidWindy Dryden Emeritus professor of psychotherapeutic studies, Goldsmiths University of London Suman Fernando Honorary professor, London Metropolitan UniversityProfessor Mark Ford, University College LondonProfessor Gary FrancioneHarvey Goldstein Professor of social statistics, University of BristolJonathan Gosling Emeritus professor of leadership studies, University of ExeterPaul Hoggett Emeritus professor of social policy, UWE, BristolWendy Hollway Emeritus professor of psychology, Open UniversityProfessor John Hughes University of GloucestershireProfessor Simon Kelley University of EdinburghAdrian Kendry Visiting Chair in economics and security, University of WinchesterKarin Lesnik-Oberstein Professor of critical theory, University of ReadingDel Loewenthal Emeritus professor in psychotherapy, University of RoehamptonProfessor Mark Maslin FRGS, FRSA University College LondonMartin Milton Professor of counselling psychology, Regents University LondonProfessor Dany Nobus Brunel University LondonProfessor Jayne Osgood Middlesex University, mother, feminist, activistProfessor Ann Phoenix University of LondonRichard Pring Emeritus professor, University of OxfordPeter Reason Professor emeritus, University of BathProfessor Diane Reay University of CambridgeLynne Segal Anniversary Professor of psychosocial studies, Birkbeck, University of LondonFarzana Shain Professor of sociology of Education, Keele UniversityPrem Sikka Professor of accounting and finance, University of SheffieldProfessor Ernesto Spinelli ES Associates, LondonDr Guy Standing Professorial research associate, SOAS, University of LondonBrian Thorne Emeritus professor (counselling), University of East AngliaFrederick Toates Emeritus professor of biological psychology, Open University Dr Steve Tombs Professor of criminology, Open University Tony Watts OBE Emeritus professor of career development, University of DerbyMichael J. Wright Ph.D., Emeritus professor in cognitive neuroscience, London |
| Dr Ruth Adams Senior lecturer in cultural & creative industriesDr Meg-John Barker senior lecturer in psychology, Open UniversityRobert Basto Ph.D., software consultant, scientist, activistDr Teresa Belton author of Happier People, Healthier PlanetDr Gail Bradbrook mother, NGO consultant Dr Onel Brooks Senior lecturer in psychotherapy, counselling and counselling psychologyDr Dominique Chadwick independent researcher and film-maker, CambridgeDr Anne ChapmanDr Red Chidgey Lecturer in gender and media, King’s College LondonJohn Christensen Director and Chair of the Board Tax Justice NetworkDr Christopher D. Coath University of BristolDr Mick Cooper Chartered psychologist, BrightonDr Virginia Crisp Lecturer in culture, media & creative industries, King’s College, LondonJonathan Dawson Coordinator of economics, Schumacher CollegeRichard Eke Ph.D., Associate lecturer, UWE, BristolDr Peter Elfer Principal lecturer, Early Childhood Research CentreDr Jonathan Gross King’s College LondonAndy Halewood CPsychol., Senior lecturer in counselling psychology, UWE, BristolDr Wiebina Heesterman Ph.D. Law (human rights), activistDr Jason Hickel Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonDr Abby Innes London School of EconomicsDr Nicholas James FASS, Open UniversityPeter Lipman Fellow, Cabot Institute for the Environment, Bristol UniversityEd Lord Ph.D., RMN, RCBC Wales, Fellow, Swansea UniversityRachel Lunnon PhD (mathematical logic), software engineerDr Michael McEachrane University College London; visiting researcher, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (Lund)Dr Kate McMillan King’s College, LondonDr Gerry Mooney Open University in ScotlandDr Calum Neill Associate professor of psychoanalysis & cultural theory, Edinburgh Napier UniversityDr Eva Novotny retired, University of CambridgeDr Christine Parkinson Retired biologist, Scientists for Global ResponsibilityDr Volker Patent CPsychol, lecturer and coachDr Gerald Power PhD, management consultantDr Gillian Proctor CPsychol., Programme leader, MA in counselling and psychotherapy, University of LeedsDr Jay Watts Consultant clinical psychologistDr David Whitebread Retired senior member, Homerton College, Cambridge | Dr Ruth Adams Senior lecturer in cultural & creative industriesDr Meg-John Barker senior lecturer in psychology, Open UniversityRobert Basto Ph.D., software consultant, scientist, activistDr Teresa Belton author of Happier People, Healthier PlanetDr Gail Bradbrook mother, NGO consultant Dr Onel Brooks Senior lecturer in psychotherapy, counselling and counselling psychologyDr Dominique Chadwick independent researcher and film-maker, CambridgeDr Anne ChapmanDr Red Chidgey Lecturer in gender and media, King’s College LondonJohn Christensen Director and Chair of the Board Tax Justice NetworkDr Christopher D. Coath University of BristolDr Mick Cooper Chartered psychologist, BrightonDr Virginia Crisp Lecturer in culture, media & creative industries, King’s College, LondonJonathan Dawson Coordinator of economics, Schumacher CollegeRichard Eke Ph.D., Associate lecturer, UWE, BristolDr Peter Elfer Principal lecturer, Early Childhood Research CentreDr Jonathan Gross King’s College LondonAndy Halewood CPsychol., Senior lecturer in counselling psychology, UWE, BristolDr Wiebina Heesterman Ph.D. Law (human rights), activistDr Jason Hickel Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonDr Abby Innes London School of EconomicsDr Nicholas James FASS, Open UniversityPeter Lipman Fellow, Cabot Institute for the Environment, Bristol UniversityEd Lord Ph.D., RMN, RCBC Wales, Fellow, Swansea UniversityRachel Lunnon PhD (mathematical logic), software engineerDr Michael McEachrane University College London; visiting researcher, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (Lund)Dr Kate McMillan King’s College, LondonDr Gerry Mooney Open University in ScotlandDr Calum Neill Associate professor of psychoanalysis & cultural theory, Edinburgh Napier UniversityDr Eva Novotny retired, University of CambridgeDr Christine Parkinson Retired biologist, Scientists for Global ResponsibilityDr Volker Patent CPsychol, lecturer and coachDr Gerald Power PhD, management consultantDr Gillian Proctor CPsychol., Programme leader, MA in counselling and psychotherapy, University of LeedsDr Jay Watts Consultant clinical psychologistDr David Whitebread Retired senior member, Homerton College, Cambridge |
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