Extinction Rebellion Change is Now Tour hits Newark

Newark and Sherwood Extinction Rebellion (XR) will welcome the Change is Now Bus Tour to Newark tomorrow evening (Wednesday).

The tour is visiting 60 towns across the UK to hear from local people about their fears relating to the climate and ecological emergency and to offer ways to get involved in the movement to demand action to secure a liveable future, along with thousands of others, in Spring 2023.

The group is clear that the UK’s continued reliance on fossil fuels despite the widespread devastation they are causing, is also the main driver of the cost-of-living crisis.

Carl Braithwaite, a member of Extinction Rebellion Newark and Sherwood, said: “We can now see clearly how the cost-of-living crisis is related to the climate crisis.

“The more we are dependent on fossil fuels, the more vulnerable ordinary people are to a volatile market that brings huge profits to the oil and gas companies.

"At the same time we have seen the UK suffer from temperatures up to 40 degrees, followed by flooding, and forest fires in nearby Blidworth.

“The combination of such events is leading to a predicted crop failure of up to 50% in the UK this year, which has a further knock-on effect on food prices.

"All this means already struggling families effectively pay twice.”

The tour arrives in Newark on Wednesday evening after visiting Lincoln and speakers will deliver a talk at the Holy Trinity Community Centre on Boundary Road.

The talk will outline how politics as usual with its focus on short-term electoral gain is ailing to tackle the Climate Emergency and that Citizens’ Assemblies and People’s Assemblies offer a solution.

Citizens’ Assemblies involve representative groups of ordinary people with access to high-quality information and expertise, making decisions away from the influence of vested-interest groups or the pressure of party politics.

Wendy Patterson, group member, said: “We want to engage with local people, including our elected representatives, and give them the opportunity to learn about Citizens’ and People’s Assemblies and how they can lead to more effective representation and improved decision-making on contentious local issues.

"Members of Newark Town Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Robert Jenrick MP have been invited.

"Mr Jenrick sent his apologies and wished the organisers well with the event."

The talk begins at 7pm and is free and open to all.