Extinction Rebellion Oxford is following a new UK-wide strategy focussing on fossil fuels and their continuing use. The group will be in the Cornmarket, Oxford, 12-2pm on Saturday 26th March with Nellie the pantomime elephant, leafleting and talking to people.
The group are using Nellie to represent the ‘elephant in the room’ – the Climate Crisis to ensure attention is being given to the links between the energy prices and the wider climate crisis.
Jo Gill explains:
“The Government’s failure to move the UK decisively away from dependence on fossil fuels for energy and home heating has created the disaster of a 54% average energy bill increase in April. Token steps to reduce this – a £200 loan and £150 supplement for the poorest – will still leave households bearing half of the increase which is typically nearly £700 per home. well over £600 per home(2). This can be avoided, as in France where bills will only rise 4% because the French Government took action to protect the public.”
“The Government could use a windfall tax on oil companies to support people struggling to pay their bills, and to reduce demand for energy by rolling out a programme of home insulation. Shell and BP made £24 billion in profits last year, while
paying NO corporation tax on their North Sea oil and gas production Meanwhile, UK annual subsidies to fossil fuel industries amount to about £10-12 billion each year, keeping the Climate Emergency going. To protect people, and radically cut carbon emissions to protect the Climate, the Government must act immediately.”
Who are Extinction Rebellion?
Extinction Rebellion is an international non-violent direct action movement campaigning against Government inaction on the climate emergency.
What is the energy price rise?
Due to a record increase in gas prices, the energy price cap will increase from 1 April for approximately 22 million customers doubling the average bill.
The price cap is updated twice a year and tracks wholesale energy and other costs, to stop energy companies from making excessive profits and ensuring customers pay no more than a fair price for their energy.
But the rise in gas prices means companies have to increase the bills or join the 29 energy companies have exited the market or been put in special administration over the last year.
