Extinction Rebellion invite people to Pink Table at Clapham Junction to discuss the climate emergency

Extinction Rebellion Battersea held their inaugural pink table 'meet and greet' outside Asda at Clapham Junction on Sunday 26 September. The aim was to talk to people and find out how they feel about what's happening with the climate – and there was lots of interest from passersby.

"We noted how many people now ask 'yes, but what can I do?'" said XR member Peter Harrison. "We were happy to help them."

People who asked were told about XR Wandsworth's four 'Wake Up Wandsworth' demands of Wandsworth Council – relating to air pollution, trees and green spaces, food waste collections, and divestment of the Council's pension fund from fossil fuels, ie getting rid of investments in oil and gas and investing instead in positive, green options.

"We also talked to people about personal options," said Peter, "dietary and lifestyle changes. A common response was 'I feel happier knowing I can do my bit.'" Many new people signed up to join the local Extinction Rebellion group.

The idea of 'crisis talks', of using pink tables as a way of engaging people in conversations about the climate emergency, of inviting anyone and everyone to the table, stems from Extinction Rebellion's recent so-called 'Impossible Rebellion', which took place in London from 23 August to 4 September.

The first sighting of a pink table was when a giant pink table appeared in Covent Garden on the first day of the Impossible Rebellion. XR Wandsworth had pink tables locally during the Rebellion – outside Southside shopping centre and at the Tooting Foodival.

Since then they are popping up all over the place – again outside Southside, at the Big Green Day Eco Fair in Balham, and most recently outside Asda. Next Saturday, 2 October, will see a pink table outside Roehampton Library.

"Pink is a warm colour which people respond to," says Peter.

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