Messaging

Designing your messaging and XRUK messaging packs

Designing your Message

A message is a clear, easy-to-understand sentence that sums up what you’re trying to achieve with your action. It should be simple enough that you could tell it to someone at the bus stop and they will understand straightaway what it's about.

The M&M team's job is to come up with this message, and then communicate it consistently on all media platforms.

Good messaging is about building a relationship with the people impacted by and involved in the issue you are talking about - people who might do something about it.

The XRUK Strategy asks us to use resonance and invitation to win a wider spectrum of support. It points us towards a target audience who are not already activists - i.e. people not like us! And it acknowledges that "local groups will know best which issues will resonate most in their communities, and which will provide opportunities to illustrate to new groups the increased power accorded by NVDA."

Follow the steps below to create a basic messaging strategy for an action, event or story. There's a video that talks you through the process on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pmmSTzhQcP4 (7 min).

Speak to your National/Regional messaging team, or the XRUK M&M team, to find out about messaging training and resources.

Step 1. Who needs to know what?

Ask yourself what you are trying to achieve overall. More rebels? More people understanding that the climate and ecological emergency is important? What’s your call to action? Be really clear.

Also be really clear who you are seeking this reaction from. You need to decide, at least in broad terms, which group of people this message is aimed at and why.

Your message is not simply information about an action that's happening - the action is the vehicle you will use to get the message across. And the message is what you want your target audience to know, and what they should do with that knowledge now they have it.

Step 2. How do they need to get the info?

What do you know about your target audience? Is that fact, or assumption? Do some research and check your facts. People regularly waste a lot of time making assumptions about their target audience.

Who do they respect/listen to? Do they know about XR? Do they trust XR (if not, look for alliances with people or organisations they do trust to deliver the message instead).

What issues do they care about? What makes them happy, angry, sad? What language and imagery do your target audience use? You need to be using the same ones.

Step 3. What’s the best way to reach a target audience?

Direct meetings? Events, online content, news media? What does this group of people read, watch, listen to?

Focus on the channel that will reach your target audience. Don’t waste time sending press releases to every outlet or doing a video that isn’t done in a style that appeals to your target audience.

Remember: they are unlikely to like what you like (we are targeting people not like us, after all). So you may need to put out content you personally dislike or don’t connect with.

Step 4. Check the strategic fit.

Check the messaging fits your strategy and “brand”.

Does your message align with delivering the overall strategic goals of the Movement? You can check the strategy out on this page.

Have you considered whether your message could be misinterpreted and cause a problem with another target audience? If so, can you re-word it?

Step 5. Did it work?

Think about how you will gauge whether your message had the right impact on your target audience?

You need to consider a communications plan as a two way conversation with the target audience.

Don’t keep sending the same message without solid evidence that it’s working to achieve what you want. Keep adapting and refining it until you have evidence that it is.

Tone of voice

These guidelines will help you when writing as XR on social media, whether you're creating content or answering comments.

Remember that you are speaking as XR, not as yourself, so bypass your own ego and try to come from a place of humility and compassion. It can be very difficult sometimes as trolls can be a very frustrating species. Don't hesitate to seek some help before answering comments (if they are worth answering at all).

Our motivation is:

At all times try to engage and open dialogue, but try to recognise where discussion will probably be fruitless.

Your XR Voice should be simple, kind and self deprecatory; direct yet friendly; informative and engaging, authoritative yet warm and delivered with humility.

Guidelines

Messaging Packs

XRUK produces messaging packs which XR groups around the movement can use for their own comms

Messaging Packs

Lakenheath Peace Camp

MESSAGING PACK

FRAMING

Heal The Earth.jpg Assets available from Lakenheath Peace Camp - XRUK Social Media Posts

What is it?

A two-week peace camp, protesting against the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain.

The camp will be entirely based on nonviolent direct action. It is organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace (LAP) made up of 56 organisations, including XR Peace.

Key messaging

It's (pretty much) all about oil: The Lakenheath base has been involved in many of the recent wars for oil.

Escalating war: The return of nuclear weapons to the base will escalate tensions when global cooperation is needed more than ever in light of the climate and ecological emergency (CEE).

Time to come together, not fight: As climate change and ecological breakdown affect food and water supplies, it is essential that we find peaceful means to deal with societal collapse rather than defaulting to armed aggression.

Emissions from military: The military, in particular the US Air Force, is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear weapons harm to climate and nature: XR is protesting at Lakenheath RAF due to concerns over the storage and potential use of US nuclear weapons, which we know have an irreversible and catastrophic impact on the climate, nature and all life on earth.

Climate and environmental impact of the base: The base's operations contribute to military emissions and environmental degradation, which contributes and exacerbates the climate and ecological crisis.

Threats to peace are threats to climate and nature: We know the presence of nuclear weapons makes peace vulnerable. The connection between militarisation and ecological destruction is clear, the only way we are going to prevent climate and ecological breakdown is if we avoid war and conflicts.

War isn’t just fought on battlefields: Millions are forced from their homes by bombs, droughts, rising seas, and burning forests. War and climate breakdown displace people alike — two sides of the same coin, funded by the same governments.

What is the problem?

RAF Lakenheath is in reality USAF Lakenheath (i.e. American, not British) and is the largest US airbase in Europe. Its Air Force units maintain combat-ready wings that are pledged to NATO.

USAF Lakenheath is a base used to deploy weapons and military aircraft to conflicts around the world, including Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Serbia, Libya, Syria, the Middle East and East Africa. Now with nuclear weapons coming back, the potential destruction deployed from this base is even more severe.

With Donald Trump back in the White House, the threats to humanity and all life on earth are real.

The arms industry is highly profitable and governments do not want to stop this lucrative business; our present economic system needs wars to survive. The UK Government, amongst others, continues to sell arms and provide resources to countries like Israel, ignoring the toll on human life, biodiversity, and rampant emissions.

Why is XRUK getting involved?

Militarism is one of the central pillars of the carbon intensive, exploitative, industrial system that is driving the climate and ecological crisis.

Climate change causes war and war causes climate change. Environmental destruction and biodiversity loss follow in the wake of war. About 5.5 - 6% of global carbon emissions are from military activity. Climate change is already a significant cause of conflicts and is a key factor driving the refugee crisis, both from food shortages and climate induced conflicts. We cannot stop, or at least slow down, rapid climate and ecological breakdown without addressing militarism.

The developments at Lakenheath are actively promoting the expansion of the fossil fuel industry, accelerating the nuclear arms race and turning the UK and Europe into a nuclear front line, even more dangerous than the Cold War was.

For people concerned about defence

  • XRUK is a broad church and we do not judge those who are concerned about the nuclear threat from other countries. We are all scared, we all want to save the planet.
  • These are American nukes, on an American base. Who is in charge of the US right now? Do you still believe having these nukes here is a good idea?
  • There has been no consultation with the British public, the local communities, the local councils. There is no plan should anything go wrong with these weapons.
  • Militarism is expensive. At a time when we need to be spending on preparing for climate and ecological breakdown and trying to prevent the worst case scenario, resources are wasted on projects such as nuclear weapons at Lakenheath.
  • More nukes lead to more nukes: we have seen this all before in the Cold War: the nuclear arms race. Nuclear weapons brought in as deterrents lead to ‘the other side’ reacting by getting more nuclear weapons, and the cycle will never end. This doesn't deter anything, it just escalates the tensions.

    • Save Our Planet.jpg Assets available from Lakenheath Peace Camp - XRUK Social Media Posts

    SLOGANS

    Ideas for slogans, banners or placards to illustrate the link between war/military/weapons/nuclear weapons and the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE):

    WAR FUELS CLIMATE CHAOS

    DISARM FOR A LIVEABLE PLANET

    CUT WEAPONS, GROW FORESTS

    DISARMAMENT = CLIMATE ACTION

    CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSES WAR. WAR CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE.

    Save the planet related slogans:

    NO NUKES, NO WAR, SAVE OUR PLANET

    END WAR, SAVE EARTH

    DISARM THE PLANET, HEAL THE EARTH

    WAR POLLUTES, PEACE RESTORES

    General:

    STOP THE CHAIN REACTION

    WAR PROFITS, PEOPLE SUFFER

    DIVEST FROM DESTRUCTION, INVEST IN REGENERATION

    Placards:

    Stop Lakenheath Nuke Madness = Protect Our Planet

    US Nuclear Warheads = Environmental Catastrophe – Stop the Arms Race

    Choose Peace, Choose the Planet

    People Before Profit

    Planet Before Profit

    TIPS FOR PLACARDS: Placards with some hard hitting facts always seem to do very well. Feel free to pick some from the list of facts below to add to your own placard.

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Here you will find suggested hashtags, some suggested posts, and social media accounts of some of the allies attending the camp.

    Key hashtags:

    #Lakenheath

    #PeaceCamp

    #ClimateJustice

    #WarKillsOurPlanet

    #ExtinctionRebellion

    Other hashtag ideas:

    #ChoosePeace

    #ChooseThePlanet

    #PeopleBeforeProfit

    #PlanetBeforeProfit

    #ClimateAction

    #ActNow

    #WarPollutes

    #NoNukes

    #JoinTheMovement

    #StandUpSpeakOut

    #GlobalPeace

    #Blockade

    #PeacefulProtest

    #NuclearWar

    #RAFCentre

    #ProtectOurPlanet

    Social media post ideas

    Post 1:

    LAKENHEATH PEACE CAMP: TIME TO DISARM!

    💣 Nuclear weapons are BACK at Lakenheath. The US is turning the UK into a nuclear front line—AGAIN. This is not a drill.

    🔥 WAR FUELS CLIMATE CHAOS. The military-industrial complex is wrecking the planet while governments PROFIT from destruction. Climate justice and peace are inseparable.

    👊 Join us for two weeks of action at Lakenheath Peace Camp—a camp of RESISTANCE, HOPE & DIRECT ACTION. Let’s show them we’re NOT backing down.

    📍RAF Lakenheath, UK IP27 9PS 📅Monday 14th April to Saturday 26th April 2025

    No Nukes. No War. No Climate Collapse. ✊ Follow the Rebellion Broadcast on Telegram to stay updated!

    #Lakenheath #RAFCentre #DirectAction #PlanetBeforeProfit #ClimateJustice

    Post 2:

    DISARM FOR A LIVEABLE PLANET

    The US military is the world’s largest polluter—and they’re about to make things worse by bringing back nuclear weapons to Lakenheath. Nuclear war doesn’t just kill people—it kills ecosystems, poisons water, and accelerates climate collapse.

    Climate change causes war. War causes climate change. It’s a toxic cycle we REFUSE to accept.

    🚨 The solution? Mass disruption & resistance. 🌱 What do we want? Peace & regeneration. 🗣️ When do we want it. NOW. 👊 The first step? JOIN US at the Lakenheath Peace Camp!

    📍RAF Lakenheath, UK IP27 9PS 📅 Monday 14th April to Saturday 26th April 2025

    Come camp, take action, and make history.

    📢 Follow the Rebellion Broadcast on Telegram to stay in the loop or check out the Lakenheath website for more information!

    #NoNukes #PeopleBeforeProfit #MakeHistory #ActNow #ExtinctionRebellion

    Post 3:

    MORE EMISSIONS. MORE DESTRUCTION. MORE RISK

    We’re facing a #ClimateEmergency, and instead of funding green solutions, governments are bankrolling war. The UK and US are choosing weapons over wind turbines, and bombs over biodiversity.

    🌱 Imagine if that money went into restoring forests, renewable energy or supporting climate refugees. But instead? They’re making sure we’re first in line for nuclear war.

    👊 NOT ON OUR WATCH. Join the Lakenheath Peace Camp and take a stand for life on earth.

    Disarm for a liveable planet.

    📍RAF Lakenheath, UK IP27 9PS 📅 Monday 14th April to Saturday 26th April 2025

    ✊ Action starts NOW. Be part of something BIG. Are you in?

    Click the 🔗 in the bio for more information!

    #PeacefulProtest #GlobalPeace #JoinTheMovement #XRUK

    Find out more: https://xrb.link/Fu2thW60oZ2

    Sign up here: https://xrb.link/g05Zb7A7A

    Click here to donate: https://xrb.link/U9Co3K8087

    Help create video content

    Face to camera videos are super helpful for the XRUK social media team, you can upload them to the Live Action Content Telegram channel and/or use them on your own social accounts. The message and suggested posts and hashtags in the rest of this document are designed to help you do that.

    🗣️ Suggested script topics for your video:

    Hi, I’m [name], I’m here at Lakenheath Peace Camp today to tell those responsible for war and climate breakdown to disarm for the planet.

    ➡️ Then answer one or a few of these questions:

    🎥 Video tips:

    💡Here’s some inspiration from other actions:

    Allies on socials

    COMING SOON

    Organisation | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | X

    XR Peace | / | XRPeace | / | / | / | @XRPeaceUK

    More information on Alliance Organisations here: Lakenheath Alliance Organisations.

    DESIGN

    You will see our designs for social media scattered around this pack. You can download all social media designs here:

    Lakenheath Peace Camp - XRUK Social Media Posts

    Don't forget there are resources available to you to create your own assets using the XR colours and other design tools such as the design programme and more.

    Cut Weapons Grow Forests.jpg

    THE FACTS: NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT LAKENHEATH AND THE CLIMATE AND ECOLOGICAL EMERGENCY

    Before nuclear weapons are even used

    Even before nuclear weapons are used our environment is being poisoned, harmed and put at risk by the nuclear fuel cycle, weapons production, operations and transports.

    The following examples from Lakenheath Peace Alliance website do not include greenhouse gas emissions from use of weapons in conflict:

  • UK’s ”production-based” military-industrial Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in 2018 were 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – that is greater than the “CO2 emissions of about 60 nations”.
  • If calculating greenhouse gas emissions of UK military spending in 2018 (the life-cycle “consumption-based” approach), the UK contributed approx 11 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.
  • The UK’s military carbon “bootprint” is comparable to the annual average mileage of 6 million cars.
  • BAE Systems Plc is a British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company. BAE Systems accounts for 30% of the total UK arms industry emissions.
  • One flight of a nuclear capable F35A fighter jet/bomber = two UK adults yearly emissions, average.
  • Carbon emissions of one military flight = approx 28 tonnes of CO2e.
  • The world spends over $90billion on nuclear weapons every year, global spending on nuclear weapons reached $91.4 billion in 2023. Over $2,400billion was spent on war in total. This is more than the estimated $2,000 billion a year needed to tackle climate change.
  • Each of the 30 F-35A warplanes at ‘RAF’ Lakenheath cost over $80million and over $30,000 per flight.
  • A single combat plane costs £58 million and burns through £28,000 an hour just to fly. It guzzles fuel at 0.6 miles per gallon—meanwhile, Lakenheath sees 15-30 flights daily, and that’s just during ‘peacetime’. When war ramps up? So do emissions, devastation, and death.
  • Nuclear weapons poison the planet for generations. Contamination from nukes lasts over 100,000 years. More than 100,000 tonnes of radioactive waste have already been dumped in the Atlantic. Out of sight, out of mind? Not when ecosystems collapse.

    • Impact of war

  • War causes climate change. During the US Iraq war, military equipment used 6 - 10 times more fossil fuels than the “peace-time” rate. War and military operations also have massive environmental effects due to toxic emissions due to destruction and burning forests, fields, ecosystems and people’s homes & businesses.
  • Military spending steals necessary resources away from public health, education, social needs, and tackling climate chaos.
  • A study by the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) and Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) estimates that the military sector's carbon footprint accounts for approximately 5.5% of global emissions. This suggests that if the world's militaries were considered a single entity, their emissions would be more than major nations such as Russia.

    • If nuclear weapons are used

    There is a lot of evidence, sadly, of the impact of a nuclear weapons on people, the environment, and all living things:

  • Evidence from test sites: Studies into the environmental impact of nuclear tests carried out in Nevada, USA, illustrate the impact of radioactive pollution on the atmospheric, aquatic, and underground environments. People exposed to nuclear radiation are more likely to suffer from long-term health conditions including cancer and skin burns. Pregnant women exposed have had babies born with malformations and impaired brain function, as well as cancer.
  • Evidence of actual nuclear explosions: The accident at the Chernobyl power plant in 1986 (equivalent to the detonation of about a dozen atomic bombs) and the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
  • When a nuclear bomb detonates, the 1 megaton blast kills or poisons everything within a two-mile radius.
  • Hiroshima: The extreme heat burnt everything in its path, including animals, trees, buildings and people. Many of those who did not die from radiation or burns later developed illnesses including cancers.
  • When people aren't dying of radiation related illnesses, some may starve to death from contaminated food chains and crops dying, resulting in famine.
  • The detonation of an atomic bomb creates radioactive dust that falls around the explosion site. Wind and water currents carry the dust across a much larger radius than the initial explosion, where it contaminates the ground, water supply and the food chain.
  • After nuclear explosions temperatures will shift, changing the climate with such a speed that nature won't be able to adapt.
  • Without people to maintain nuclear power plants and other existing nuclear weapons, the likelihood of more nuclear explosions is high.

    • ABOUT THE CAMP

  • Dates: Monday 14 - Saturday 26 April 2025
  • Location: RAF Lakenheath, Brandon Road, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 9PN
  • Getting to the camp - instructions on Lakenheath Alliance for Peace website
  • Travel Bursary for XR rebels - claim for public transport and car sharing costs
  • Full programme of the camp
  • Volunteer for an Action Support crew role
  • About the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace
  • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)'s page about the peace camp at Lakenheath
  • About XR Peace
  • About RAF Lakenheath

    • FURTHER READING

  • International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
  • Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)
  • Vandana Shiva books on practical ecofeminist, anti-colonialist actions to save Mother Earth
  • Western Shoshone info: Native Community Action Council
  • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) UK
  • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) Cymru
  • International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
  • LABRATS (test ban veterans)
  • SIPRI Yearbook 2022: Trends in world military expenditure
  • NIS Nuclear Information Service and @nuclearinfo
  • Rebecca Johnson’s report on TPNW and UK nuclear policies
  • Ban The Bomb
    • Messaging Packs

    It's 2025 now what?

    2025 banner.jpeg

    Key Messaging

    This pack aims to help you and your groups to talk about 2025, backed by science and research, helping you stay on point, while giving you space to bring your own voice in as well.

    We will be adding to this pack over time, so do check back in for new information.

    What's the big deal about 2025?

    In 2018, the XR co-founders, after much deliberation and conferring with leading scientists and other climate and environment experts, set the deadline by which the UK should reach net-zero carbon emissions for the year 2025. The science proved that we needed to rapidly decarbonise, there were already various blueprints from organisations proving it was possible, and for the sake of those already impacted by climate change (almost entirely communities in the global south) it was the morally right thing to do.

    As to HOW this was going to be done, XR's third demand is that people should decide this together. Everyday people, who are impacted by the changes, who are not influenced by lobbyists and money, who think long-term, and work together as a group to find solutions that work for everyone: a citizens’ assembly.

    Now it is 2025. And our demand has not been met.

    Don’t sugar-coat the truth

    There is no denying that we have reached a catastrophic state of impending collapse. The crisis has arrived on our doorstep sooner than anyone expected and it’s only getting worse.

    Pretending otherwise is not only untruthful but also unfair to those who are already severely impacted by environmental and societal collapse - whether in Greater Manchester from floods, California from wildfires, or Sudan from extreme drought induced famine.

    Let’s tell the truth, however uncomfortable it is.

    It’s not too late

    The narrative that “it’s too late why bother” is a tactic used by the fossil fuel industry and the right wing media to normalise the climate and ecological crisis and to make the public feel there is no point doing anything anymore. It is not too late. Every fraction of a degree makes a difference.

    The emergency is here and now

    The climate and ecological emergency is not something that will happen in the distant future in far off lands. It is happening here and now on our doorsteps.

    If you need some examples, since the start of 2025 alone, we have seen extreme flooding all over the UK and beyond. Crops are set to fail because it is too wet, houses are becoming uninsurable because of flood risk. Extreme storms came back to back at the end of 2024, and each year is confirmed the hottest year on record year after year.

    What could have been

    A visioning exercise...

    Imagine what 2025 could have looked like if we had achieved our three demands. A world where ordinary people make decisions together, not based on profit and personal gain but on helping your fellow inhabitants of this earth.

    Imagine how much worse it could have been if we didn’t act, if XR never came to be. Who knows? Maybe the government still wouldn’t have declared a climate emergency for example. We have achieved some incredible things over the last six years which have left a lasting impression. Let’s celebrate those achievements, the big and the small because it could have been so much worse.

    Key Facts

    Byline Times: 2024 Was the First Year Above 1.5C of Global Warming - Here’s How We Should Respond

    This piece was written by the XRUK Press team in collaboration with many people from different circles. It contains some killer facts that will be useful for interviews, rebuttals, or even just conversations on the street during an action:

    Examples of tipping points:

    Social Media

    You can use the following link to download XRUK’s social media posts from Canva or ‘copy’ and ‘edit’ the below Canva file as you wish:

    XRUK Social Media Post | It’s 2025 Now What

    Alternatively you can share XRUK's posts on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok:

    Handle

    @XRebellionUk

    Hashtags

    #HereAndNow

    #NotTooLate

    #ExtinctionRebellion

    #TellTheTruth

    Press

    We will be adding to this list, but here are some useful articles to help with the 2025 messaging:

    Announcement of the Copernicus Institue's report, which should have made headlines, but of course didn't.

    The BBC's response to XR's 2025 demand back in 2019: The BBC, and all the other media, immediately picked XR up on the 2025 target, which they all said was unrealistic. The truth is, we never even tried. Imagine if we had tried, and it all would have achieved net zero a few years later. We would still be in a better position than we are now.

    A useful quote from that article:

    "The honest answer about whether you can hit net zero by 2025 is that until you go for it, nobody knows if you'll get there," said Andrew Simms from the Rapid Transition Alliance, which promotes solutions to climate change that could transform the world over the next 12 years.

    "We tend to forget what can be achieved in really compressed periods of time when the whole of industry and the whole of government put their minds to it. It's like the speed with which we responded to the financial crisis in 2008."

    In this article Tim Jackson, an ecologist and economist, talks about the practical and ethical reasons why a country like the UK should decarbonise much faster than some other countries due to its historical carbon emissions and responsibility for emissions elsewhere in the world.

    The Centre for Alternative Technology Charity (CAT) outlined plans that could have seen us reach net zero by 2025 (or roughly 2027). It is clear that the only thing that prevented that from happening was the political will. To be told rapid transistion cannot be done is implying that is physically cannot be done - that is simply not true. If our government truly wanted to, we could have been there by now, or at least been well underway.

    Messaging Packs

    "Rebel for Truth" Messaging Pack 2024

    r4t 1.PNG

    Messaging Pack 2024

    It’s nearly 5 years since the Declaration of Rebellion. Why are we still having to talk about this shit?

    The Public Order Act has changed the landscape in which we are taking action. It is intended to make people feel powerless - but we aren’t. They want people to forget the change they can create when they come together. We are inviting them to remember.

    Across the country communities of resistance are growing. Rebels in local groups are building alliances, and taking actions around local issues that matter to them, culminating in coordinated action on the last day of the month - every month.

    We have always sounded the alarm, and now we sound the alarm for truth. Our system is broken, and all those in power are complicit. With truth we will make a stand, a bold and rebellious stand, for all life on earth. The lies about the climate and ecological crisis, what’s causing it and what’s being done about it. The lies that justify inequality, racism, injustice, colonialism, speciesism and ecocide. The lies that vilify action and perpetuate apathy.

    What is the unifying thread that unites an action against an incinerator in Edmonton and tree cutting in Wellingborough? It is that we are all Extinction Rebellion, bound by the same demands, principles and values.

    There is one answer to the situation we are in, an antidote to the lies and misinformation. It is the answer because we believe in the power of people - we demand a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice.

    There is power in unity and many voices speaking as one, but there is also strength in the words that connect to your community. Consider this page a toolkit. If it contains things that help you get the job done then use it, but it is an invitation not an instruction.

    r4t.PNG

    Why are we Rebelling for Truth?

    Since XR first burst onto the streets we have said “Tell the truth and act as if the truth is real”. Truth is the antidote to climate lies and climate liars. Truth is strong. Truth is defiant. Truth is unapologetic.

    We non-violently challenge and disrupt the climate villains whose lies are stopping the scientific truth from driving an urgent and just transition. With humour, with creativity, with unity, we present an inspiring alternative vision to the toxic system that allows climate lies to flourish as the crisis destroys our global life support system before our eyes.

    Are You Okay With This?

    Hell no. Greenwashing and inaction are everywhere. This is a question both for the climate criminals, and for the public.

    This year has featured more evidence of climate breakdown in the form of a record-breaking cyclone in south-eastern Africa, raging wildfires in Europe and an unbearable heatwave across Asia. On our doorstep effluent is knowingly pumped into our rivers and pollution into our air as the government takes more steps to silence dissent. Once you’ve looked truth in the eye, the next question is what are you going to do about it?

    r4t 2.PNG

    We must Decide Together

    When you can’t trust those in power, the people are the answer. Our three demands are a pathway to change. Citizens’ assemblies (CAs) are the antidote to the lies and the villains, putting the decisions needed in the hands of the people.

    We are trapped in a system that is outdated and out of touch. Citizen's assemblies are the alternative, putting decisions in the hands of the people. This is the first step in the system change we demand. In a time of corruption and greed, ‘reasonable’ starts to look revolutionary.

    Remind yourself and everyone else about why CAs are the answer. Check out the resources on our website or YouTube.

    Need some help with how to talk about CAs? Read more here.

    Pink flyer with white XR symbol and 3 black rabbits. Text reads 'Here comes everyone'. Extinction Rebellion logo at the bottom.

    Flyers

    Flyers have been produced that align with this messaging.

    You can download them here to print yourself, or order them from the outreach order form.

    These flyers are available in Welsh through the 'print yourself' link above. If there is a language you would like outreach materials in please email media@rebellion.earth

    Social Media

    Find social media assets for you or you group to use here.

    Hashtags

    #RebelForTruth

    #AreYouOkayWithThis

    #CitizensAssemble

    #DecideTogether

    #UniteToSurvive

    Green background with white cutout XR Symbol

    Paint the Symbol - Here Comes Everyone

    In 1996 a small group of people who went on to lead the Serbian resistance took to the streets and spray painted their symbol, and the word “otpor” - resistance. They knew that under an oppressive regime people wouldn’t feel they could come out onto the streets unless they thought that everyone else was. The symbol appearing everywhere created the movement it hinted at, which in turn overthrew a dictator.

    The extinction symbol is already iconic. Recreate it on walls, in windows, anywhere you can imagine. Let’s reignite the paint the symbol campaign with love, creativity - and of course a little bit of mischief.

    ALT-TEXT-HERE

    Posters

    Spread the message even further. Stick a poster in your window, take a bundle to flypost, or anything else you can think of.

    Find some colourful ones and some black and white ones suitable for home printing here (would look fab printed onto pink or green paper!). Post them everywhere you can as a show of pride. Normalise being in rebellion!

    Fonts

    Karla

    You might have noticed this font popping up instead of the classic Crimson. That’s because serif fonts are harder for many people to read, especially if they are dyslexic. When we say we welcome everyone, we want them to feel welcome too! Get it here.

    Fucxed Caps

    Get the classic Fucxed Caps here.

    Colours

    The XR Design Programme has a beautiful array of colours, but sometimes simplicity speaks for itself. Leaning into our signature pink, complemented by the classic green is a combination that never goes out of style.

    Using the same colours as other actions for your banner or social media graphics is an easy and simple way to tie what you’re doing and saying into the wider narrative, even if the rest of your messaging is tailored to a specific campaign or local issues.

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    Flags

    The Extinction Symbol is iconic and uniting, and never more so than when it is fluttering in the wind.

    Find everything you need to know about making flags here and a video on how to block print the symbol on them here.

    FAQs

    What is XR up to?

    Thanks for asking! We’re pretty busy. We are implementing our new strategy, and diversifying both our tactics and our spectrum of support. That’s not the sort of magic that takes place overnight. XR holds a unique position among the ecology of environmental groups - we are the only one with the potential to truly be a mass NVDA movement, capable of forcing the government to meet our demands. And to achieve the change necessary we need everyone. That means growing our local groups, building alliances and connecting with communities that previously we have not managed to engage with.

    Did The Big One even do anything?

    Movements that last are movements that adapt and change, and in XR we flow like water. This means adapting our strategy to an over-changing environment, because doing the same thing all the time just isn’t going to do the job.

    In order to keep up the pressure we need to be unafraid to diversify our tactics in response to an ever-changing climate. This keeps us fresh and radical, and keeps those in power on their toes. We know that what we achieved in April scared those in power, because it was unexpected, and the unexpected isn’t something they can predict and plan for. Now we need to build on that.

    What about our theory of change?

    A theory of change is not a monolith, it is not a thing that is written and remains rigid and unbending. Reflecting and learning is built into our principles and values for a reason, and nowhere is this more true than our strategy. Looking to all those who have stepped into resistance is great, but it doesn’t tell us what to do now - because we’ve never done this before. And everything is at stake.

    Messaging Packs

    War & Peace (messaging connecting conflict & climate)

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    See the Slideshow of this document to see the sources and references for the information on this page.

    What are these messaging guidelines for?

    There is a strong link between the climate and ecological emergency and conflict, but it is not a simple or linear one and so it is not one that people can always automatically connect to.

    Just as the UK profits from the climate and ecological emergency, it profits from conflicts. Banks such as Barclays are investing in arms just as much as they are fossil fuel projects. The media creates a hierarchy of suffering, focusing time and attention on some conflicts and neglecting others – many of the conflicts happening in the world are rarely mentioned in the UK. A powerful thing rebels can do is redress this balance.

    Peace and stability is essential for effective and timely climate action and adaptation by countries around the world. As Extincion Rebellion the most significant contribution we can make is to continue to apply pressure to the UK government to give power back to the people.

    It is hoped these resources will empower you to speak with confidence about the connection between the climate and ecological emergency and conflict. If you need any additional support, please contact media@rebellion.earth

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    The climate and ecological emergency (CEE) is the ultimate expression of the crisis in our politics and our society. Both the CEE and conflict are rooted in oppression, both historic and current, and perpetuated by institutions and corporations entwined in a web of exploitation that profits from injustice. Unifying factors - such as exploitation, colonialism, racism and poverty bind these issues together, as those on the frontlines of the climate and ecological emergency are also likely to be suffering from violence and oppression.

    It's all connected

    There is already data that suggests that the number of conflicts is rising, along with the global temperature increase. This is a trend we are likely to see continue as the earth continues to heat, and the impacts of the climate emergency become more acute. Conflict over resources, destabilising of regimes and natural disasters will all exacerbate the situation.

    “We are facing the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945. From Yemen to Syria, Myanmar and Sudan. From Haiti to the Sahel and on and on.” - Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN.

    - Interstate: A conflict between states
    - Intrastate: A conflict between a state and a non-state armed group inside the state’s territory
    - Extrasystemic: A conflict between a state and a non-state armed group outside the state’s territory
    - Non-state: A conflict between non-state armed groups, such as rebel groups, criminal organizations, or ethnic groups
    - One sided violence: The use of armed force by a state or non-state armed group against civilians

    Today's Armed Conflicts

    Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Columbia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Western Sahara, Yemen.
    Source: Today’s Armed Conflicts - The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

    Key Facts

    More facts can be found in the War and Peace doc and the spokesperson briefing. These will continue to be added to over time.

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    How are XRUK speaking about conflict?

    Considerable thought from many teams has gone into this, and it is included here as a resource for the consideration of local groups.

    The events of October and 7th and beyond promoted a lot of conversation across the movement about how we could and should talk about this as XRUK.

    There are so many people who are already doing work here, it is not for Extinction Rebellion to take that and make it our own. We should be supporting them, in a way that complements our aims as XR. .

    One of our strengths as Extinction Rebellion is that we do not take a partisan stance, we do not pick sides. We are always guided by our three demands and principles and values. What we can bring of value to this conversation is to continue to unite people.

    What does solidarity look like?

    Solidarity takes many forms, and you should be sensitive to the feelings of the groups you are working with including rebels in your local group. You should seek to establish consent of your group, before embarking on potentially contentious actions or alliances. Many other groups may be happy for rebels to turn up at their events with flags and banners, or they may wish for you to not identify yourselves as XR. It is important to have conversations with your local group so you all know where the lines are for you, and others you are engaging with.

    Some rebels will choose to take action with other groups, not as XR. The ecology of movements is a beautiful and varied thing, and there is a place for everything and everyone. We do not need to make everything about us.

    The most important thing to remember as you nurture these relationships is that they are not ones that are for the duration of a topic being in the public consciousness - genuine and authentic solidarity carries on long after conflict has dropped out of the media cycle and stopped trending on social media.

    It is important to remember that if we are identifying ourselves as Extinction Rebellion, we should be upholding our principles and values at all times. Not all groups we interact with hold our same commitment to nonviolence, in words or in deed. This may be in the form of chants or other behaviour we do not expect. Check out the de-escalation resources on the toolkit.

    More Resources