Taking action for the climate

Ismani (26) has been active with Extinction Rebellion (XR) for a year and a half, an international movement that engages in creative and peaceful ways for the climate. “In 2019, I read about bridge blockades over the Thames in England, and that was the reason to see if XR also exists in the Netherlands. Fortunately, it did,” Ismani laughs.“I am determined. I want to contribute something before it’s too late. I feel it as a kind of duty to future generations. That’s why I give training sessions at Extinction Rebellion to prepare all kinds of people for participating in climate actions. We discuss topics such as nonviolence, decision-making, dealing with the police, and the well-being of everyone. Additionally, I also call new volunteers who have signed up with XR to take on one of the many tasks that are needed. I do this volunteer work alongside my job as a teacher and IT specialist at a private educational institution.”

Inspiration from history

“If you do something on your own for two to three hours a week, you won’t achieve much. But if thousands or even more people do it, it becomes more than the sum of its parts and you create a shockwave in society,” says Ismani. “XR draws its inspiration from history where many groups like Provo, Stop the Kindermoord, actions for women’s suffrage, and anti-dictatorial movements have shown that civil disobedience is a way to achieve rapid changes.”

Radical students and engaged elderly

“I really enjoy meeting many different kinds of people through this volunteer work,” Ismani enthusiastically explains, “sometimes radical students, but also concerned parents or engaged elderly people. It can be a bit of a search sometimes, but everyone finds a pleasant place to be active with us. Everyone does this voluntarily, and you also get a lot in return. Personally, I have gained a lot of self-confidence from giving the training sessions; I can do this, I know that now. And that I am part of a movement that teaches me a lot. I have learned a lot about myself, about vulnerability, courage, and trying to achieve something together.”

Faith, hope, and yet another dream…

When asked if he believes that climate change can be stopped, he has to think for a moment. “I still have a hangover from the election results,” he muses, “but hope is really important. XR has released a book ‘While you still canAnd Greta Thunberg’s motto is that hope comes from action. It seems fantastic to me if we can achieve a blockade once that all of us can sustain for at least a week. That there are simply too many people for the police to drag us away every time.Text: Thecla Groot Koerkamp
Photos: Kitty de Jong

Volunteer Tasks

Do you also want to become a volunteer at Extinction Rebellion?Look here.Curious about other possibilities in Amsterdam? In our online job board, there are about 1000 fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities. For every talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediators.