Just Stop Oil supporters disrupt Gatwick

Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted Gatwick airport. Just Stop Oil is working with groups internationally to demand governments establish a fossil fuel treaty, to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. [1]

At around 8 am seven supporters of Just Stop Oil entered the Southern terminal at Gatwick and used suitcases with lock-on devices to block the departure gates. The situation is currently developing.

One of those taking action this morning is Mel Carrington, 63, a mum and former environmental consultant from Dorset, who said:

“We’ve just had the hottest three days on earth in recorded history and possibly for hundreds of thousands of years. Innocent people around the world already face extreme weather and deadly heat and no one is prepared for the societal collapse that unchecked global heating will bring. I’m terrified of what it will mean for my family and friends when there are widespread crop failures, food shortages and economic meltdowns. It will mean the breakdown of law and order, the end of the NHS and the loss of everything we depend on.”

“We need a global emergency plan to rapidly phase out fossil fuels. Our government must work with other countries and commit to signing a legally binding fossil fuel treaty to phase out oil, gas and coal by 2030 – and it must support poorer countries to get off fossil fuels too.”

Also taking action is Greg Sculthorpe a mathematician from Doncaster, who said:

“I can’t bear to stand back and watch millions dying because the rich and powerful prefer to protect their wealth and status, than the lives of ordinary people.” 

“Ordinary people have no choice but to fight to defend our families, as we pass every safe threshold that risks triggering irreversible feedback loops, leading us towards a hothouse earth where millions are displaced. We need an emergency fossil fuel treaty to phase down fossil fuels by 2030.”


The Oil Kills international uprising has been taking action at airports around the world. 21 groups across 12 countries have taken action at 17 airports so far. They include Letzte Generation Germany, Folk Mot Fossilmakta and Scientist Rebellion in Norway, XR Finland, Futuro Vegetal in Spain, Just Stop Oil in the UK, Drop Fossil Subsidies and Act Now – Liberate in Switzerland, Letzte Generation Austria, Extinction Rebellion and Scientists Rebellion in Sweden, Doe Deurne Dicht in Belgium, Last Generation Canada, XR Boston, Last Generation Sacramento, and Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island from the USA. [2]

The Oil Kills international began last Wednesday the same week the world’s hottest day has been broken twice in one week. Last Monday, the global average surface air temperature reached 17.15C, breaking the record of 17.09C set the previous day. This beats the record set in July 2023. [3]

As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure. This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world. Are you in? Sign up to take action at juststopoil.org.

ENDS

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Notes to editors:

[1] Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.

Critical seed funding for Just Stop Oil was provided by Climate Emergency Fund and Adam McKay in 2022 and 2023. Just Stop Oil is now largely backed by small donations from the public, although the Climate Emergency Fund continues to contribute.

Just Stop Oil ‘Blue Lights’ policy: our policy is, and has always been, to move out of the way for emergency vehicles with siren sounding and ‘blue lights’ on. 

We take all possible steps to ensure that no-one’s safety is compromised by our actions.

Our Demand: An end to oil, gas and coal by 2030.

Our governments must work together to establish a legally binding treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas and coal by 2030 as well as supporting and financing poorer countries to make a fast, fair, and just transition.

This can be accomplished by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and seeking a negotiating mandate to establish the treaty.

[2] https://oilkills.org/2024/07/27/the-united-states-belgium-and-canada-join-the-oil-kills-international-uprising-with-direct-action-at-airports/

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crg7pen1xj7o