EXTINCTION REBELLION RIDES

Press Release for Action on 14th July 2019

Extinction Rebellion (XR) in Sheffield will be riding for the environment at the HSBC-sponsored ‘Let’s ride’ cycling event on 14 July. We aim to remind people about the bank’s continuing investment in fossil fuel projects internationally, and in fracking in the UK. “HSBC throwing small change to sponsor a bike ride is a cynical attempt to ‘greenwash’ their continued investment in carbon energy industries” said Geoff Cox from XR Sheffield. “The real story is that HSBC is still funding climate breakdown and needs to stop now”.

HSBC has invested £45billion in fossil fuels in the last 3 years in countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia. Even its own major shareholders disagree sending a warning letter to the CEO of the global bank, John Flint. HSBC’s financing of the coal industry contributes massively to the climate crisis that faces all the world Building just ? of the planned coal-fired power plants worldwide, mostly in developing Asia, would take the world past 2°C of warming, pushing hundreds of millions into extreme poverty before the middle of the century. Extinction Rebellion Sheffield calls to the ‘global bank’ to invest in protection not destruction of the world it operates in and we all depend on.

“We want everyone to have a fun day out, but we’re encouraging riders taking part to ride with XR, or carry an XR symbol to help remind HSBC in a friendly non-confrontational way that they need to do better” said Mr Cox. “XR will have its own reception tent in Endcliffe Park from 11am, and will be holding 10 minute introductions to the movement at noon, 1pm and 2pm if anyone would like to learn more. Call in for a chat, or to have a picnic with us, on the 14th. Nothing confrontational is intended, we’ll just be drawing attention to some inconvenient truths”.

Contact Details:

• Extinction Rebellion Sheffield: xrsheffield@gmail.com
• Mr. Geoff Cox: 07543 199810
• Dr. Bing Jones: 07711 447306
• XR Sheffield Press Team: xrshefpress@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrshef/
• Twitter: @XRShef
• Instagram: @XRShef

Notes to editors

Climate Factsheet for Rebels

https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/

About Extinction Rebellion:

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices, with human extinction also a possibility, if rapid action is not taken.

Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by its Government.Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

• The Government must tell the truth about the ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens

• The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels

• A national Citizens’ Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

Get involved in Extinction Rebellion’s other events:

In the UK, come to one of our events, join the Rebellion Network and let us know how you can help out Start a group where you are – locally in the UK or in your country around the world Find your local group: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11jUqqjTHMThksd4KbvGGzb3I3Cr3PkBl&usp =sharing

Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites. We are holding Collaborative Leadership Calls to help coach people to improve their leadership skills and capacities. And while your time and energy are the most important things, if you are financially able to donate money, see our Fundrazr crowdfunder.

UK website: https://rebellion.earth/

International website: https://xrebellion.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR hashtag #ExtinctionRebellion

Declaration of Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/declaration/

About Rising Up!

Extinction Rebellion is an initiative of the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion; whilst the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.

• Website http://www.risingup.org.uk/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RisingUpUK/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/RisingUpUK