Last spring I marked my grandson’s first birthday in an unusual way: I was arrested, alongside four other seniors, for peacefully sitting-in at the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

We were protesting the bank’s continued financing of new fossil fuel projects and pipelines at a time of a declared climate emergency, when scientists warned we must rapidly transition away from oil and gas to prevent catastrophic harm.

Recently, I was scheduled to appear in a Toronto courtroom to defend myself against charges arising from that action. However, the charges were dismissed after the attending police officer did not show up. 

This is the third time charges related to peaceful climate actions at RBC have been dropped before the evidence could be fully heard.

While I respect the court’s decision, I had hoped for the opportunity to present my defence.

I had intended to plead not guilty and argue that our action was a necessary attempt to prevent a much greater harm.

I first became seriously concerned about climate change when my sons were born.  They are now 30 and 28.

The RBC 5 sit-in was my 4th arrest since 2019 for civil disobedience aimed at preventing climate breakdown. As a person of faith and a senior, I feel a responsibility to protect a planet my generation has destabilized, writes Michael Polanyi

For three decades, I have worked through legal avenues to address the issue: signing petitions, writing letters, organizing locally, marching in rallies and meeting with elected officials.

And yet emissions remain high. Wildfires, floods and extreme heat intensify. The planet continues to warm. Scientists warn that the window to prevent catastrophic damage is rapidly closing.

Still, governments, banks and corporations continue to finance and build new fossil fuel infrastructure that will extend our reliance on oil and gas for decades.

The “RBC 5” sit-in was my fourth arrest since 2019 for nonviolent civil disobedience aimed at preventing climate breakdown.

Twenty people — including a 100-year-old Anglican minister from Hamilton — have been arrested at Toronto-area RBC branches over the past two years to protest the bank’s fossil fuel financing, which far exceeds its investments in clean energy.

Had the trial proceeded, I would have made three points, drawing on an expert report that was written and submitted by Dr. Warren Bell, founder of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

First, global heating poses an extreme and accelerating threat. Climate impacts are already disrupting communities across Canada through wildfires, floods, storms and extreme heat. Without rapid emissions reductions, the risks to food systems, public health and global stability grow dramatically.

Second, decades of lawful advocacy by millions of people have not yet brought emissions down at the pace scientists say is required. Atmospheric CO2 levels are at record highs. Canada’s emissions remain stubbornly elevated.

Third, nonviolent civil disobedience has historically helped catalyze change when conventional channels failed. Over the past decade, peaceful resistance has played a role in stopping destructive projects, protecting old-growth forests at Fairy Creek and contributing to the cancellation of pipelines such as Northern Gateway and Keystone XL.

As a person of faith, I believe creation is sacred and that we are called to work for peace, security and justice — not only for ourselves, but for those who will inherit what we leave behind.

As a senior who has lived a full life — one made possible by a stable climate — I feel a particular responsibility to act to protect a planet my generation has destabilized.

If we succeed in pushing governments and corporations toward stronger climate action, I will be grateful to have played even a small part.

If we fail, I will at least know I did not remain silent while the future was being gambled away.

And when I look my grandson in the eye one day, I will be able to say: I tried.

Michael Polanyi is co-founder and former co-chair of Faith and Climate Action (faithandclimate.ca).

© National Observer