Extinction Rebellion is a tough sell in Alberta. At least that’s what people say. The province has a reputation for staunch conservatism and steadfast support of oil and gas. Yet contrary to popular belief, Albertans, like other Canadians, also support climate action and economic diversification — and this support is well documented in surveys of public opinion.
Here in Calgary, some rebels are using the COVID-19 pause to decorate our city with posters reminding our fellow Albertans that sentiment for climate action runs high, even in a province where oil and gas holds sway.
We’d like to broaden this action, both here and in other parts of Alberta. If you’d like to take part, we’ll share the details below.
Alberta Public Opinion on Climate
But first, let’s take a closer look at public opinion. We’ll start with the findings of the Université de Montreal on its Changements climatiques page. In an ongoing poll, it asks Canadians whether the earth is getting warmer, whether it is warming due to human activity, whether their province has experienced the effects of climate change, whether they believe climate change will harm them personally.
Nationwide, majorities of Canadians believe that climate change is occurring, that it results from human activity, that their province is experiencing its effects, and that they themselves will suffer personally. But here in Alberta, the results are strikingly similar. Substantial minorities (and in some cases, majorities) hold similar views.
Or consider the results of this CBC news poll in Why the economic crisis could speed up transition to renewable energy. It found that among Albertans:
- 92% believe the province should do more to encourage the development of the technology sector
- 79% believe the province should transition towards renewable energy
- 51% believe the province should transition away from oil and gas
- 54% believe the oil and gas industry has too much influence in Alberta politics
Finally, consider what Abacus Data reveals about Alberta public opinion in Is Climate Change “an Emergency” and Do Canadians Support a Made-in-canada Green New Deal?:
- 58% are “increasingly worried” or “really anxious” about climate change
- 75% support a shift towards clean and renewable energy
- 43% support a reduction in fossil fuel use
- 39% support a “wartime-scale” transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy
- 56% support a Green New Deal
Extinction Rebellion Calgary believes such polling data are great news, and we want to tell the whole world about it.
Many of us are using the COVID-19 pause as an opportunity. We’re postering to keep the climate crisis top of mind and to let Albertans concerned about climate know they’re not alone. Our theory of change is that Albertans will demand credible action on climate change in increasing numbers when they know that others share their views.
On May 5, a group of rebels decorated the Beltline, attaching hundreds of posters to streetlight poles and other surfaces. On May 11, we hit the Red Mile. We think the results are stunning.
Join XR Calgary’s Action!
But it’s a big city, and we have plans to spread our message through every corner of it. Hillhurst, Kensington, Sunalta, Marlborough, Forest Lawn — let’s put these posters up all over town. For that matter, let’s cover Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, and other cities.
So join us. You can download the posters from this Google Drive folder. Print them on letter size paper. Use non toxic and biodegradable white glue to attach them. Or make wheat paste if you can spare the flour. Work in small teams. It’ll be nice to see your old friends again (observing proper physical distance, of course). Take pictures of your handiwork and share them with us. You can message our Facebook page, tag us on Twitter (@XR_YYC) or send an email to xr_communicationsYYC@protonmail.com.
We’re also running a complementary campaign on social media, and we could use your help there, too. Images and suggested hashtags are available in this folder. Share these posts with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other networks.
So take a break from lockdown, and act on climate while you’re at it. There’s no going back on our rebellion. There’s no going back on climate action. Hundreds of thousands of Albertans agree with Extinction Rebellion Calgary: we need climate action now. Let’s tell the world.