CLIMATE ACTIVISTS CALL ATTENTION TO LUXURY CARBON CONSUMPTION
November 29, 2021
Contact: xrnyc_press@unitedrebellion.com
White Plains, NY – Early in the morning of November 29th, Extinction Rebellion activists placed a banner reading “1% of people cause 50% of aviation emissions,” at the entrance of the Westchester County Airport.
The action is part of a global campaign to bring awareness to how the richest 1% create 50% of aviation emissions through their use of private jets and overflying. This is a massive contribution to climate change and therefore bear the moral responsibility to cut their emissions. One cross country trip in a single private jet emits double the CO2, an average American emits in an entire year.
White Plains is a popular departure point for private jet flyers in the New York area. A study, commissioned by Oxfam, says the wealthy need to cut their overall emissions by 97% so the world can stay on track to keep global warming below 1.5˚C, as pledged in the 2015 Paris Agreement. To close the emissions gap, it is necessary for governments to target measures at the richest, highest emitters. Inequality and climate change must be tackled together.
“The Westchester County Board of Legislators just passed a declaration of climate emergency" said Susan Rubin, Extinction Rebellion activist and Westchester County resident, "If the Board is serious about addressing the climate crisis they need to look into either banning or limiting private jet travel in and out of the airport drastically now.”
Photos of the action can be found here.
About Extinction Rebellion
Time has almost entirely run out to address the climate & ecological crisis, including the sixth mass extinction, global pollution, and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices 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 their Government.
Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:
1. Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
4. Government must commit to a just transition in order to maintain a livable, just planet for all.
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