About us

Extinction Rebellion Denmark is part of the international Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement, started in 2018 in the United Kingdom.

We use non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of societal collapse. We are a movement of concerned citizens, self-organized locally and with collaboration on a national level.

We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. Scientists are alerting us to the fact that we are about to fail to halt climate change and biodiversity loss before the point of no return, which once passed will inevitably lead to a de facto inhabitable planet.

So far our governments are failing spectacularly to protect us. To survive, it’s going to take everything we’ve got. Therefore we declare an international non-violent rebellion against the world’s governments for criminal inaction on the ecological crisis.

OUR DEMANDS

1. TELL THE TRUTH
   The government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working together with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.

2. ACT NOW
   Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

3. RETHINK POLITICS
   Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

OUR STRATEGY

At the core of Extinction Rebellion's philosophy is nonviolent civil disobedience. We promote civil disobedience and rebellion because we think it is necessary- We are asking people to find their courage and to collectively do what is necessary to bring about change.

We aren't focussed on traditional systems like petitions or writing to our politicians and more likely to take risks (e.g. arrest / jail time). We don’t want or need everyone to get arrested – for some this is not a good idea – but we do want everyone involved to support civil disobedience as a tool.

We are promoting mass “above the ground” civil disobedience – in full public view. This means economic disruption to shake the current political system and civil disruption to raise awareness. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience that this causes.

We are about political change, not personal change (though we welcome the latter).

We are completely nonviolent, our actions are done in full public view and we take responsibility for them. We have an Action Consensus which outlines how we work together on actions.

OUR STRUCTURE

We organise in small groups. These groups are connected in a complex web that is constantly evolving as we grow and learn. We are working to build a movement that is participatory, decentralised, and inclusive.

The structure aims to empower anybody to act as part of XR, so long as they agree to follow our ten core principles (see below). We are seeking a balance between being able to act quickly in response to fast-changing situations and being able to integrate the collective wisdom of multiple perspectives when needed.

OUR PRINCIPLES & VALUES

We welcome all people that are willing to adhere to our principles & values.

1. we have a shared vision of change
   Creating a world that is fit for generations to come.

2. we set our mission on what is necessary
   Mobilising 3.5% of the population to achieve system change - using ideas such as “Momentum-driven organising” to achieve this.

3. we need a regenerative culture
   Creating a culture which is healthy, resilient and adaptable.

4. we openly challenge ourselves and our toxic system
   Leaving our comfort zones to take action for change.

5. we value reflecting and learning
   Following a cycle of action, reflection, learning, and planning for more action. Learning from other movements and contexts as well as our own experiences.

6. we welcome everyone and every part of everyone
   Working actively to create safer and more accessible spaces.

7. we actively mitigate for power
   Breaking down hierarchies of power for more equitable participation.

8. we avoid blaming and shaming
   We live in a toxic system, but no one individual is to blame.

9. we are a non-violent network
   Using non-violent strategy and tactics as the most effective way to bring about change.

10. we are based on autonomy and decentralisation
    We collectively create the structures we need to challenge power. Anyone who follows these core principles and values can take action in the name of Extinction Rebellion.