In 2023, 350.org spearheaded a campaign in Canada, urging the government to impose higher taxes on fossil fuel companies. This initiative aimed to address the environmental and economic damage caused by the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the need for a just transition to cleaner energy sources.
Canada’s tar sands giants, including Exxon and Suncor, reported record profits of $38.3 billion in 2022, surpassing the economic output of many countries. As communities face unprecedented challenges with worsening climate disasters and extreme weather events, the profits generated by the oil and gas sector further highlight the need for governments to hold the industry accountable and fairly distribute resources to support a just transition.
350.org’s Advocacy for a Just Transition:
After three years of building public pressure on Prime Minister Trudeau to prioritize a just transition, 350.org celebrated a significant win with the release of the government’s Sustainable Jobs Plan. This victory was thanks to the collaborative efforts of thousands of Canadians advocating for bold legislation and historic green investments. 350.org will continue to keep the pressure on Parliament to support the Sustainable Jobs Plan.
Amidst Canada’s record-breaking 2023 fire season, a staggering 18.4 million hectares—equivalent to the size of the state of North Dakota—went up in flames. Wildland fire experts labeled it as unprecedented, shocking, and a stark departure from the country’s annual average of 2.5 million hectares burned. June marked the height of this devastating season, with wildfires ravaging communities, prompting coast-to-coast evacuations, and enveloping the nation in unprecedented smoke, even reaching as far as Norway.
In swift response, 350.org mobilized our base, encouraging them to exercise their agency at this emotive moment and press for bolder climate action. More than 30 communities across the country participated in our “Canada is Burning” Day of Action, garnering national attention that directly linked the wildfires to fossil fuel expansion. Throughout the summer of 2023, we disseminated our message nationwide by conducting a comprehensive letter-to-editors campaign to newspapers.
In 2023, the Caribbean Climate Network (CCN) of 350.org expanded its efforts to elevate community voices from 12 nations, speaking together to confront climate change impacts with increasing influence. CCN united the Caribbean in a mass photo petition on Earth Day, as thousands gathered, demanding urgent climate adaptation measures with the message “adapt now to save lives,” visually representing the region’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
Consequently, climate issues have firmly entered the national agenda, signifying a historic shift in political priorities towards addressing and adapting to the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
In a groundbreaking display of channeling people-powered advocacy through bureaucratic processes, 350.org’s Fossil Free Federal Reserve campaign achieved a remarkable milestone. When the Board of the U.S. Federal Reserve System – the referee of the U.S. economy – released a set of draft principles with recommendations, 350.org rallied an astounding 10,000 public comments submitted by its members. With these comments, 350.org successfully pressured the US Federal Reserve to conduct a comprehensive climate risk analysis. This strategic move comes as a response to the urgent need for stronger financial measures to protect Americans against the escalating threats of climate disasters.
The unprecedented flood of comments, a testament to 350.org’s engaged and dedicated base, prompted the Federal Reserve to release additional details about their climate risk analysis. This newfound transparency marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against climate change, as one of the world’s most influential financial institutions takes tangible steps towards acknowledging and addressing environmental risks.
This outcome not only emphasizes the importance of public engagement but also sets a precedent for holding influential institutions accountable in the face of the climate crisis.
In 2023, 350.org spearheaded a groundbreaking campaign to challenge fossil fuel reliance in the United States and the way our utility companies block renewable energy projects. The highlight of this work was the Pine Tree Power campaign in Maine, where despite the outcome of the ballot initiative, 350.org’s efforts significantly elevated national consciousness regarding the pivotal role utility companies play in climate progress. Endorsing the initiative and contributing organizing capacity on the ground brought widespread legitimacy, garnering national press coverage from respected outlets such as The Nation, The Guardian, and The Boston Globe.
Throughout the year, 350.org played a key convening role in organizing our local group networks and coordinating big climate movement moments.
We are profoundly thankful for the steadfast support and collaboration of our partners, whose significant contributions have been pivotal to 350 North America and Caribbean’s success. We've proudly included their names in our 2023 reflection to honor their vital role and express our appreciation.
This is a highlight from 350.org's 2023 Annual Report