Cop26 climate change summit: Extinction Rebellion needs to make sure its message is not obscured by disruptive protests – Steve Cardownie
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Extinction Rebellion has already taken to the streets of the city, disrupting traffic on main routes and seriously inconveniencing members of the public going about their daily lives in Edinburgh.
I wrote at the time, and re-iterate it now, that such groups have to be careful not to alienate the very people they hope to bring to their side by causing traffic gridlock and such like by their planned protests.
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Hide AdIt is undeniable that world leaders have to take immediate, drastic action on climate change if this planet is not to be plunged into an environmental disaster of our own making.
From severe flooding in Asia and elsewhere to huge unrelenting forest fires in North America, the message is stark and real. Surely no sensible person can deny the irrefutable evidence that we have witnessed on our TV screens.
Public support for action is a given and it would be a pity if it was jeopardised by inappropriate action that hits the wrong target.
Extinction Rebellion should take legitimate forms of action – the public shares your fears and frustrations about climate change and governments’ inertia.
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Hide AdBut public support should be garnered and nurtured, not risked by elevating protest activity to such a level that the message is lost amid news reports of chaos and disruption.
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