# Messaging and Design

**Insurance is the Achilles heel of the global fossil fuel industry.** It’s what gives companies such as Shell, BP and Exxonmobil the confidence to drill as the planet burns - by covering their operations against financial losses when things go wrong.

Without insurance, major oil and gas projects would not be able to operate.

Just 20 companies insure 70% of fossil fuel projects and a **large number of these companies are based in the UK**, mostly in the City of London.


#### Info and resources
To support your own action and media and messaging planning, here’s a briefing on why we are targeting the insurance industry from our allies at the Insure Our Futures coalition. <br>

- <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bWbFMl_p8N1hpdGP_SEQo7bVuNxH8HD4UgiQ64cYkY8/preview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">We are all spokespeople!</a> - key facts to help with spokes, livestream and outreach.
- <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PtaNrr8BECS0UQ9kXyf4b1LdbVq1ziTX0dyOha0V2es/preview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Template press release</a> to help local actions.
- Watch the insurance <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ly_QN428OM2g0tmBiXQfINi7JH_7htFa/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">briefing video here</a> (22mins) - Note this 'IOF' video is from earlier in the year, so some situations may have changed, but the basic fundamentals are still valid.
- [Company Briefings](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1738#bkmrk-page-title).
- [Background on carbon bomb projects](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1706#bkmrk-page-title) (e.g. EACOP).


<!-- #### Messaging Pack contains

- design colour scheme
- hashtags to use and follow
- ideas for messaging on banners and placards
- information on the alliances behind the actions
- three special demands for these actions
- countdown to action social media plan -->


#### IOS Design

XR actions follow the [Design Programme](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/design/chapter/core-design-programme) and colour scheme for consistency. IOS actions are using a streamlined palette of pink, black and white. Visibility of XR is key, so the symbol and/or logotype should be used wherever possible. You can also [download XR fonts here](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/260#bkmrk-fonts). The pink used in this action is R237 G155 B196 or #ED9BC4.

![](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/uploads/images/gallery/2024-07/scaled-1680-/image-1720012460866.png)


#### Hashtags

**Please also tag @xrebellionuk** or if doing local actions also tag relevant groups/organisation/people who you think might help amplify your action.

#InsureOurSurvival<br>
#ExtinctionRebellion<br>
#StopFloodingUs<br>
#StopEACOP<br>
#RiskyBusiness<br>
#ClimateCriminals<br>


<!--#### Press
- Draft Press releases - Coming Soon
- Spokesperson Briefing - <a href="https://www.coalaction.org.uk/2023/11/22/wcm-qa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCM Cribsheet with questions and answers to support conversations</a>
- <a href="https://airtable.com/appBjKZkz9KfuEhE3/shrHjhzG8LKhuogfZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Local Press List</a> - List of local press contacts grouped by region, so you can easily find local press to send a release to. 
 - <a href="https://airtable.com/appBjKZkz9KfuEhE3/shr8Y8JWgL5zEhQvn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK Press List</a> - Details of journalists working for UK media organisations.-->

#### Press coverage from IOS week of actions:


- <a href="https://socialistworker.co.uk/news/extinction-rebellion-target-insurance-giants-in-city-of-london/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Extinction Rebellion target insurance giants in City of London - Socialist Worker</a>

- <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/axa-aig-michael-jackson-glasgow-insurance-b2637595.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Climate activists in ‘zombie dance’ protest outside insurance offices - The Independant</a>

- <a href="https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/extinction-rebellion-danced-glasgow-dressed-33993965" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Extinction Rebellion danced in Glasgow dressed as 'zombies' while protesting climate change - Daily Record </a>

- <a href="https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/news/extinction-rebellion-blockade-gherkin-as-more-insurance-firms-targeted/1453515.article" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Extinction Rebellion blockade Gherkin as more insurance firms targeted - Insurance Times</a>

#### Banner/Placard Messaging

Insure Our Survival slogan:
'Insure Our Survival, Not Fossil Fuels'

XRUK banner slogans:
<br>
> Pull the plug on new oil & gas<br>
No New Oil and Gas<br>
Stop Insuring Climate Chaos<br>
You’re a Risky Business<br>
Decide Together: Insure Our Future<br>

Placard suggestions:
>Climate Breakdown Cover<br>
Only Fools Insure Fossil Fuels <br>
Stop Insuring Climate Chaos<br>
Insure our Survival
No food, no future
Boycott ‘name of insurance company’ (only those that have public facing services). Or add an insurance company logo to your placard & include a message for them.<br>

For targeted campaigns in high flood risk areas:
> Stop Flooding Us<br>
Paying you (or name of insurer) to flood our homes<br>
Don’t make us The Uninsurables<br>
Floody Hell<br>
Flood Alert<br>
Insuring Oil = Drowning Lives!<br>
Fossil Fuels Get Insurance, We Get Floods!<br>
Insuring Our Future? More Like Drowning It!<br>
Fossil Fuels = Floods. Thanks for the Uninsurable Future!<br>
The floods are Right Here, Right Now<br>