What is the A12 blockade about?
The latest IPCC report is clear: the destructive effects of global warming are greater than we thought(1). We must bring emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero and stop burning fossil fuels right now. However, the Dutch government spends five times as much tax money on stimulating fossil fuel use as the entire budget for fighting climate change. This ranges from large-scale users paying 100× less tax on their electricity than small companies to, again, large-scale polluters receiving free CO2 allowances. In total 25 fossil subsidies have been identified so far that add up to 37,5 billion euros! (2) These destructive, reckless and inefficient policies are unacceptable.
Therefore, the organizers of the A12 blockade ask people to join the action on the 9th of September, 12:00 and call on the government en masse to stop fossil subsidies! The A12 will be permanently blocked from September 9 until all fossil subsidies are stopped.
Why are we from New Wave sharing this?
The climate crisis does and will worsen existing inequalities (3).Therefore, we understand the fight for climate justice as a central concern in our fight for the rights of queer people, people of colour and/or other marginalised communities!
Furthermore, there is clear evidence that individual efforts to reduce your carbon emissions are very limited because you are dependent on the infrastructure that surrounds you (4, 5). An example for this: Using public transport or bicycle is one of the best ways to reduce your own carbon emissions. But what if public transport is unaffordable and the cycling infrastructure dangerous? Or the government actively subsidises fossil fuels? - These are a political questions. A system change, including radically different policies are crucial to fight the climate crisis. Let’s be part of this change.
These are all reasons why we, New Wave and the QueerSkateClub stand in solidarity with the A12 blockade and ask you to join the action!
There might be reasons why you don’t want to participate in the blockade, may it be for mental or physical reasons. That’s ok! You can still support the action by coming to the support demonstration and help spread the word. For more information on the action visit https://a12blokkade.nl/.
What is civil disobedience?
Do you know how the amazing cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands came to be? The answer lies, among others, in civil disobedience. Civil disobedience has been an important tactic for social movements around the globe. It’s a non-violent form of resistance, usually to pressure the government or occupying power to change its policies and laws (6).
With the rise of the car as a main mean of transport, Dutch cities experienced an increasing number of children killed in traffic accidents, which peaked in 1971. This led to the formation of “Stop de Kindermoord”. The group grew rapidly and together with the Cyclist Union they organised different actions: bicycle demonstrations, occupation of streets where accidents happened and painting illegal bicycle lanes in streets they considered dangerous (7). We can see the results of this activism today.
Sources:
1) Latest IPCC
3) Climate crisis and inequality
5) The Guardinan on individual responsibility
6) Civil disobedience