“What future do we want”? Activists unfurl a banner at the Inno on rue Neuve to denounce overconsumption on Black Friday (PHOTOS)

At the same time, other activists deployed chairs in a circle in Belgium’s busiest shopping street. The ambition was to initiate a discussion with customers, who were very numerous on Friday given the now traditional reductions announced in stores. “Several themes were addressed which question overconsumption and its central role in the ecological crisis.” In the crowd, the rebellious scientists from Scientist Rebellion called out to passers-by. On their banner, these words: “Let’s redirect collective energy towards what really matters”.

“A myth”

“The belief that economic growth is essential to our well-being is a myth that only serves the interests of a few,” support Scientist Rebellion and Growth Kills in a joint statement. “Similarly, the belief that economic growth can align with environmental respect is just as false, while climate disasters multiply, pollution worsens, biodiversity continues to decline.” And to assure: “Growth is inherent to overconsumption. Which leads us to the endless exploitation of resources at the expense of the planet. We urgently need to rethink our economy.”

Scientist Rebellion is a branch of Extinction Rebellion which involves researchers and scientists who believe it is their duty to use civil disobedience to try to bring about change. Their habit is to support their actions with the arguments of their members. “Growth is a political objective everywhere in the world. It is so obvious that most people no longer realize the dangers of this obsession,” warns Doctor Matthias Schmelzer, researcher in socio-ecological transformation at the University of Flensburg in Germany . “However, the science is clear: continuing growth jeopardizes our lives and endangers the viability of the planet. We must question growth in the temples of consumption.” Hence this action at rue Neuve.

Professor Wolfgang Cramer, research director at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine and Continental Ecology at Aix Marseille University, adds: “The climate, biodiversity and social justice crises are intertwined. Solving them requires profound transformations in sectors of food production, housing, transport The idea that growth will allow them has not been confirmed by the real living conditions of most people. other options!”

Plein air

Activists therefore call on citizens around the world to “take back control of public space, dominated by advertising and consumerist infrastructures. While Black Friday promotes an ecocidal, consumerist history, driven by inequality , we propose public assemblies in the streets”, argue Scientist Rebellion and Growth Kills, wishing for the return of “ancient agoras and forums, when politics was inseparable from daily life. We believe that these discussions. democratic activities in the open air can restore everyone’s power to act. In this spirit, activists collect comments from people which they broadcast during their actions and replace advertising slogans, like this November 29 in Brussels.

Police broke up the action around 3:45 p.m., surrounding the activists and removing those who had scaled the Inno shopping center. 12 actions of the same type are planned in the Netherlands and Germany until November 30.