On the eve of COP23 climate talks, Pacific Islanders and thousands of people from across the world took action in the Rhineland coalfields, to sound the alarm and demand an immediate end of to the age of fossil fuels. As thousands of people blocked the open-pit lignite mine Hambach, the Pacific Climate Warriors stood in solidarity with people impacted by and resisting the coal industry in Germany.
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Beautiful dawn ceremony
Germany’s lignite mines are among the biggest coal mines in the world. If we don’t shut them down, we have no chance as Pacific Islanders. We’re here to protect our land, our culture and our identities as Pacific people,” said Zane Sikulu, Climate Warrior from Tonga.
Representing various grassroots, frontline and indigenous communities from across the Pacific, the Pacific Climate Warrior held a traditional Fijian ceremony in the German town of Manheim during sunrise today. Manheim is scheduled to be demolished because of the expansion of the nearby coal mine. Despite the cold rain, Warriors made offerings to representatives from the local community and Ende Gelände and the space was deeply profound and healing.
Afterwards, the Warriors went to the edge of the coal mine and opened large flower petals to make a ‘sei’ – their symbol of fossil fuel resistance.
“The tapa came from Tonga. It was painted by Pacific Islanders in Australia. And with great care love we brought it to Germany. These sei petals carry with them the love of our communities and are also a symbol of our resistance to the fossil fuel industry. In the face of an ugly coal mine, we opened this massive flower to spread our spirit.”
“Today, people from the Pacific, Germany and all over the world have come together as an internationally united climate justice movement to demand the end of fossil fuels now. In the Pacific we feel the impacts of climate change already and eventually it’s going to affect everyone on this planet. We’re all different people but it’s one struggle,”
Brianna Fruean, Climate Warrior from Samoa.
The Pacific Climate Warriors are in Bonn to sounds the alarm and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels and an immediate transition to renewable energy that is just and fair for everyone.
Sei Festival: Starting our work here in Bonn #COP23 – Billy calling for more people to rise and fight for climate justice #haveyoursei pic.twitter.com/um37oDwdSU
— 350 Pacific (@350Pacific) November 4, 2017
You can support the Pacific Climate Warriors by signing their Declaration which they will deliver to world leaders at COP23 in Bonn this week.
Ende Gelände – Here and No Further
The Rhineland coalfields are Europe’s biggest source of CO2 and a mere 50 km from Bonn, where the UN Climate Talks presided over by Fiji are set to begin tomorrow. Over 4500 people joined actions organised by Ende Gelände, including a mass blockade operations in the RWE-operated Hambach open-pit coal mine.
RWE had to stop the operation of three coal excavators and of one conveyor belt in the open-pit lignite mine after thousands joined a mass act of civil disobedience by entering the mine.
It’s happening! 1000s of people standing up for a #FossilFree world and to #endcoal in Germany on eve of #COP23 pic.twitter.com/Vqn1ad1CUm
— 350 dot org (@350) November 5, 2017
It’s happening everywhere
And people everywhere are fighting back and pushing ahead with climate action in their communities. From the US People’s Delegation showcasing how out of touch Trump’s fossil fuel agenda is with ordinary Americans to the DeCOALonise Africa groups demanding clean renewable energy, people worldwide are getting on with the job of ending the age of fossil fuels and building a future powered by 100% renewable energy for all. In one, powerful example, the people of Munich today voted to rid the city of its coal plants and go Fossil Free.
Cities on their way to #FossilFree on the eve of #COP23. 1000s stood in solidarity today with those impacted by climate crisis! #HaveYourSei https://t.co/ygNxScPNIg
— Fossil Free (@GoFossilFree) November 5, 2017
Around the world thousands of people are taking the local action that’s so desperately needed to protect those most vulnerable to climate change. Stand with them and pledge to join us in building a Fossil Free world.
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