Rupert Read, a former spokesman for Extinction Rebellion, parted ways with the group before the strategic shift, feeling that its methods had been “too polarising.” He said he was especially disillusioned by an October 2019 protest that had activists climbing on top of a London Underground train — and irate rush-hour commuters dragging them down.
Read the full article in the Washington Post.
In a recent episode of the Accidental Gods podcast, Rupert Read put it like this: “The greatest compliment we can pay now to what we accomplished in Extinction Rebellion and the other parts of the radical flank in 2019 … is to exploit it fully, to encourage and enable a far larger group of people to march through the widened Overton window.”
Read the full article in the Guardian.
“Most people do not realise how extreme a piece of legislation this is,” says Rupert Read, a British environmental campaigner and co-director of the Moderate Flank Incubator, a climate advocacy group. “The bill, and the extreme authoritarianism of it, has not cut through.”
Read the full article in Time.
Rupert Read, one of the founders of Extinction Rebellion, introduced the idea of a “moderate flank”. He argued for civil disobedience on a mass scale, and considered what that would have to look like in order to draw in the millions of supporters it would need.
Read the full column in the Guardian.
Major names in global climate discourse, including authors Sailesh Rao and Rupert Read, have endorsed Whalley’s book, convincing him that he can add value to the conversation. Public speaking commitments are now lining the schedule.
Read the full story on the Japan Times website.
It was important to Dr Read that the film ended on an inspirational note. “Our initial model was a pure doom model” he said, but as they worked through the writing they decided to include a more transformational ending. Dr Read wants people to feel “determination, maybe a little bit of joy, certainly a kind of potential active hope.”
Read the full story on UEA Journalism.
Ian Sinclair speaks to Professor Rupert Read about his new book Why Climate Breakdown Matters and its apocalyptic predictions.
Read the interview in the Morning Star.
Rupert Read said the first major wave of protests in April 2019 “achieved something dramatic and extraordinary, a real increase in climate consciousness”. However, he argued that while he sympathises with Just Stop Oil’s message, he believes a more moderate approach is now needed.
Read the full story in the Independent
Read says: “XR have done extremely well … in bringing attention to this vital issue and to their immediate demand,” for an immediate end to all new fossil fuel investments. “They’ve managed to do this with relatively low numbers. XR is really punching way above its weight, which is impressive.”
Read the full article in the Independent.
Professor Read replied by admitting he was suspicious as to why GB News was making this argument despite their wealthy backing support. He also went on to argue that climate change was a significant issue now and would impact everyone eventually. He said: “Your concern at GB News for the poor is touching.”
Read the full story in the Express.
Its report was obtained by Rupert Read, an Extinction Rebellion spokesperson and philosophy academic at the University of East Anglia, and has been seen by the Guardian.
Read the full story in the Guardian.
Spokesman Rupert Read said the upcoming protests would be aimed at politicians rather than members of the public. Mr Read said: “We want to be pressuring politicians and candidates all around the country to do the right thing and prioritise climate action. This has to be the climate election.”
Read the full story in the Express.