In recent weeks the UK has seen several protests organised by the Extinction Rebellion. You probably heard this name before as the group is very active but you might be wondering what exactly they want, especially considering the energy market. Here we provide an explanation and we look at their most recent actions of civil obedience.
What is the Extinction Rebellion?
The Extinction Rebellion is a movement that uses non-violent civil obedience measures to force businesses and policymakers to undertake action on pressing issues such as climate change. The movement was founded in the UK but has grown and is now active worldwide.
The group of activists explains ‘Our demands are rooted in love, care and a fundamental commitment to climate justice. The effects of the emergency are being felt now, and will continue to be disproportionately suffered by those who have done least to cause the crises.’
Some of the main demands of the Extinction Rebellion are:
- Making every part of society work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and undertake steps to achieve net zero by 2050
- Creating a culture of participation, fairness, and transparency
- Creating a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice that would help the government formulate environmental policies
- Spreading awareness about the dangers of climate change
- Declaring climate emergency in the UK.
Civil disobedience, which is at the core of Extinction Rebellion’s strategy, means refusing to obey rules and laws that someone finds unjust. Nevertheless, civil obedience is a form of passive resistance that does not involve violence. The goal is to force politicians to make certain decisions and change laws that protestors find harmful.
Extinction Rebellion and the energy market
The Extinction Rebellion is regularly organising campaigns against fossil fuels. The movement aims to end the fossil fuel economy by ‘stopping fossil fuel investments, ending new licensing for oil and gas production, and halting subsidies granted to the fossil fuel industry,’ the Conversation explains.
Many companies rely on fossil fuels to the point where they view them as indispensable. But fossil fuels are severely damaging the environment. This is why the Extinction Rebellion tries to stigmatise industries that rely on fossil fuels and encourage them to look for other ways of supplying power such as renewables.
The Extinction Rebellion also aims to change people’s perception of fossil fuels, showing them that there are other, more sustainable and equally reliable energy sources.
Recent UK protests
Last week the Extinction Rebellion launched two weeks of demonstrations to draw people’s attention to the fact that the government is not undertaking enough action to deal with climate change. Their protests have been focusing on addressing the UK’s reliance on oil and other fossil fuels. After all, the UK sources around 80% of its energy from fossil fuels.
‘On Wednesday, some protesters glued themselves to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) over the government’s commitment to keep drilling for North Sea oil and gas,’ BBC reported.
The protests followed the announcement of the UK Energy Security Strategy, which predicts new licensing for North Sea oil and gas. The Extinction Rebellion said it aims to disrupt everyday business activities in London by organising roadblocks. This way the group plans to make sure people take a moment to analyse their demands.
‘Our disruption will not stop until the fossil fuel economy comes to an end,’ says the movement’s official website.
This series of protests is the first big action since the 10 days long protest in autumn.
The protests are still ongoing so it remains to be seen whether protestors’ demands, or at least some of them, are met.
Are you using a prepaid meter? Here’s what the energy crisis might mean for you
As the UK is dealing with constantly increasing energy prices and the highest inflation in 30 years, energy consumers have been feeling the impacts of the crisis. Those who use direct debit to pay for their bills have time to prepare for their next bill being higher than usual. But those who rely on prepaid meters are already struggling to adjust to the new normal.
What are prepaid meters?
Prepaid meters are a type of energy meters relying on the pay-as-you-go system. Users have to top them up to be able to use energy. Consumers can decide how much money they want to put on the meter every time. To top up they have to go to a local store or do it online. So, the way it works is that they purchase energy before using it. Once an energy-consumer uses everything they have topped up, the electricity (or gas, or both depending on their situation) stops working in their house until they have put more credit on the top up key.
Prepaid meters are not a good choice during crisis
If you use a prepaid meter, your annual price cap has risen to £2,017 rather than £1,971 for those who pay monthly using direct debit. It is a significant difference, especially for vulnerable, low-income families.
Moreover, prepaid meters generally charge people rates that are higher than average. The Guardian reported that ‘low-income households make up the majority of users and the huge hike has prompted fears that more people will be forced to choose between food and fuel as poorer families spend a higher proportion of their income on energy.’
Students are another group that often uses prepaid meters and they also tend to not earn a lot of money. Consequently, people have to try to make the most of daylight and use as little energy as possible.
Prepaid meter users struggling to pay for basic necessities
Having a prepaid meter often means having to top up every week. Because of that it is necessary to carefully plan one’s spendings to include not only supplies such as food but also energy bills.
Low-income families frequently use prepaid meters because they can put smaller amounts into them. There is no need to pay a massive bill all at once.
But as now people have to pay more every time they top up to be able to use the same amount of energy, often they have no choice but to look for savings in other areas. In turn, many have to reduce the number of meals they eat a day or walk to work instead of taking the bus.
Sometimes, after topping up their meter, families have no or very little money left to cover all the other expenses.
Many energy-consumers are struggling to pay their bills due to the ongoing energy crisis but those who have prepaid meters installed seem to be the most affected.