Courage

Courage

Stories of those Facing Punishment for Calling for Action on the Climate

Courage is the virtue that makes all other virtues possible

Courage.

We all need it these days.

The courage to not give up.

The courage to not get depressed or anxious.

The courage to be realistic about how tough the future is going to be.

The courage to admit that “normal” living is over.

The courage to act in ways that most around you think of as ‘strange’.

Here are some stories to inspire you.

These are stories of those who are standing up to governments, companies, friends & family that are either in denial of the climate crises and those actively making things worse so that they can make a few short term bucks at the expense of our future.

If you are in a situation where you can either call to task those in power to act may you too have the courage that these people have. May you too stand up for the future.

Amazon Threatened to Fire Some Employees for Speaking out on Climate

Amazon has threatened to fire employees for speaking publicly about the company’s role in the climate crisis, tech workers at the retail giant have revealed. An email shared with the Guardian shows Amazon’s human resources department launched an “investigation” into one employee, Maren Costa, over comments made to the media that called for the company to do more to tackle the climate crisis. In the email, Costa is told she will not face punishment at this point—but that any future comments unauthorized by Amazon “may result in formal corrective action, to and including termination of your employment with Amazon. Costa said four employees have been questioned and two have been threatened with termination if they continue speaking up about Amazon’s role in the climate crisis without seeking approval. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2020/01/amazon-threatened-to-fire-some-employees-for-speaking-out-on-climate/

Climate protesters, including young girl, threatened with arrest outside Australian PM's official residence

A 13-year-old Australian girl was threatened with arrest at a climate change protest outside the Prime Minister's home on Thursday, in an incident which has gone viral. The demonstration outside Kirribilli House occurred as anger grows over the government’s handling of climate change amidst a bush fire crisis and nationwide heat wave. The girl, known as Izzy, was there with her parents and cried after being confronted by the police. While demonstrators were arrested outside Kirribilli House, on the outskirts of the city at least 20 homes were destroyed by fire. The government has faced criticism for ignoring warnings from former fire chiefs that the country was unprepared for the weather and was not doing enough to tackle climate change.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/19/australia-fires-sydney-hottest-day-emergency/

Anti-protest bill passed by the Tasmanian government 

The laws in the bill impose 18 months' jail for a first offence, up to 4 years' jail for a second offence, and up to 21 years for the most serious offences. Offences include impeding business when protesting by: interfering with workers or business vehicles in a public place, obstructing a public thoroughfare, protesting on private land including agriculture and forestry land, or threatening to do any of those things. The bill - called the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Amendment Bill 2019 - passed the House of Assembly on Thursday. https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/6520275/protest-law-will-hold-up-in-court-guy-barnett-says/ {The National government I said to be wanting to copy this bill once it has cleared the courts}

Climate protesters arrested in Toronto, Halifax after blocking traffic

On Monday, Extinction Rebellion members blocked bridges in Halifax, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver as part of a global effort to lobby for more urgent action against climate change. Meanwhile, Around 30 people were arrested for obstruction by Montreal Police at a climate protest in downtown Montreal.According to police spokesperson Manuel Couture, the protesters — who were lying down on René Lévesque Boulevard — were asked to leave the street for the sidewalk but they refused.The climates activists were with the Quebec chapter of Extinction Rebellion. They took to downtown Montreal Tuesday afternoon to highlight the one-year anniversary of a United Nations climate change panel’s report on the impacts of global warming.