International Uprising to end fossil fuels
25.07.2024, 9:00 CET – Flights have been grounded and disruption is building at airports in Frankfurt and Oslo after supporters of civil resistance groups Letzte Generation, Folk Mot Fossilmakta, and Scientist Rebellion Norway have taken direct action for a second day. They are acting in support of Oil Kills – an International Uprising to end oil, gas, and coal by 2030. [1] [2]
At Frankfurt Airport (FRA), supporters of Letzte Generation used skateboards to gain access to the airfield at around 4:00am (UK time). Seven used a glue-concrete mix to attach themselves to the tarmac, while one other fixed themselves at the fence. As of 6:00am, the disruption was registered at 5/5 on flight mobility trackers, with air traffic suspended at the airport. [3]
In Oslo, a group of eight from Folk Mot Fossilmakta and Scientist Rebellion Norway blocked the fast track check-in of Gardermoen Airport (OSL) at 5:10am (UK time), causing large queues. They held a banner that read ‘Fast track to phase out’. As of now they are still occupying the airport, with police present. Events are still unfolding. [4] [5]
44 year-old mother of two Judith Beadle is one of those who took action in Frankfurt today. She said: “Instead of continuing to burn money on fossil fuel infrastructure, it’s time for honesty: the climate catastrophe threatens our existence. We need a legally binding, international treaty that regulates the global phase-out of oil, gas and coal by 2030 in order to end the mass extinction caused by climate catastrophe.”
This is the second day of action, after yesterday saw 13 groups across 10 countries stage a range of interventions at international airports, causing serious disruption and global impact. They include Letzte Generation Germany, Folk Mot Fossilmakta and Scientist Rebellion in Norway, XR Finland, Futuro Vegetal in Spain, Just Stop Oil in the UK, Drop Fossil Subsidies and Act Now – Liberate in Switzerland, Letzte Generation Austria, Extinction Rebellion and Scientists Rebellion in Sweden, Last Generation Canada, and XR Boston and Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island from the USA. [6] [7]
A total number of 91 people have taken action, with 37 arrested so far. 14 remain in custody.
Ina Nagler, 31, is a PhD candidate at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research who took action in Oslo today. She said: “I would rather not be here today, but I can no longer stand and watch as our elected officials do too little, too slowly. The science is clear: We must drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels during this decade. In order to achieve this, the international community must intervene and regulate the industry with a Fossil Fuel Treaty. The future of our families and communities is at stake.”
The coalition of groups taking action today have been supported by the A22 Network and Stay Grounded. [8] [9]
Inês Teles, 34, a spokesperson for Stay Grounded:
“It’s past time to end fossil fuels. Flying is the fastest way to fry the planet so it’s key to start by cutting pointless and unfair flights like private jets or short haul flights. The actions today and yesterday, disrupting airports, should be a shock to the system that is driving us towards climate catastrophe.”
Today’s actions are just the start. Governments and fossil fuel producers are waging war on humanity. Even so-called climate leaders have continued to approve new coal, oil and gas projects pushing the world closer to global catastrophe and condemning hundreds of millions to death. We need an emergency international response to save lives. As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, we will remain in resistance. Our work remains essential, morally right and ever more urgent. The link between oil, gas and coal, and human lives is now crystal clear: Oil Kills.
[1] Oil Kills is an international uprising to end fossil fuels – an unprecedented coalition of civil resistance groups from over 10 countries across Europe and North America. We are taking nonviolent collective action at airports – a key pillar of the fossil fuel economy – to demand an end to oil, gas and coal by 2030.
Our demand in full: Our governments must work together to establish a legally binding treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas and coal by 2030 as well as supporting and financing poorer countries to make a fast, fair, and just transition.
This can be accomplished by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and seeking a negotiating mandate to establish the treaty.
Our recruiting, training, and capacity building is supported by the Climate Emergency Fund, which strategically supports ultra-ambitious organizations demanding solutions to the climate crisis at emergency speed.
Safety notice: Supporters receive training in nonviolence and will undertake all possible steps to ensure that our actions do not compromise the safety of those using airports, as well as those in the air. This includes avoiding going on any active or inactive runways.
[2] The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a diplomatic initiative working with a global network of thousands of civil society organisations and first mover governments who are spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods.
[3] www.flightradar24.com/data/airport-disruption
[4] www.folkmotfossilmakta.no/
[5] scientistrebellion.org/
[6] oilkills.org/2024/07/24/press-release-24-july-2024/
[7] oilkills.org/2024/07/24/airport-disruption-spreads-to-north-america-as-more-civil-resistance-groups-join-oil-kills-the-international-uprising-to-end-fossil-fuels/
[8] Stay Grounded is a network of 200 initiatives to counter aviation for a just mobility system. They stand up against greenwashing climate strategies like carbon offsetting and the largely illusory promise of so called Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
[9] The A22 Network is an international network racing to save humanity. We have a recipe for effective civil resistance. Support us. Join us. You are needed.