A million strong.
This is huge.
Two weeks ago we joined a diverse coalition to launch an all-out offensive to end fossil fuel subsidies, and we weren't quite sure how it would turn out. Well, we've currently got 958,422 signatures on our combined global petition -- almost a million people strong!
Will you help us get to a million by the end of the week? Sign on here: www.350.org/rio
Once we get a million signatures, we'll move on to phase two: a surround-sound campaign to put the pressure on world leaders at the G20 Summit in Mexico and at the "Rio+20 Earth Summit" coming up in Brazil.
We'll be honest: we won't win the campaign to end fossil fuel subsidies with a petition alone -- and we won't be able to wrap this up by the end of the Rio Earth Summit. But being a million strong is a powerful starting point, and our massive numbers will send an unignorable message to world leaders.
The truth is that ending these subsidies will take an ongoing and escalating campaign -- which is why we're digging deep on multiple fronts. As I type this, 350.org staff and volunteers are putting together a cutting-edge social media plan, planning a series of hard-hitting actions in countries around the world, and working on game-changing research that will expose just how massive the issue of subsidies is.
Our work on subsidies will continue in the weeks and months ahead -- but with the global summits in Mexico and Rio happening in just a few weeks, we have a unique moment to shine a light on a topic that all too often gets hidden and ignored. And we can't ignore it any longer -- the issue of subsidies is just too important. New research shows that getting rid of fossil fuel subsidies would lead to massive reductions in the emissions that are super-heating our planet -- and could help level the economic playing field and trigger a clean energy revolution around the world.
One more thing: we’re saving June 18 for something special. It'll be the day when we’ll deliver our collective petition to world leaders, but also a day where we’ll try something a bit different -- and a day to take our message to the halls of power in a brand new way.
Onwards,
Will Bates for the 350.org Team
Articles and Info
We > Oil
The European Parliament joined European citizens this week in demanding to put a higher carbon tag on tar sands than on other fossil fuels to demonstrate clearly its damaging impact on our environment and climate.
The discussion about the carbon tag of tar sands is going on within the EU for quite some time and while many people expected the EU to clearly state that the environmental impacts of tar sands are clearly higher than conventional oil and should be treated acordingly due to enormous lobbying efforts of the Canadian government (the very same government that is heavily lobbying for tar sands in the US and just dropped its Kyoto Protocol committments) this debate is dragging on and some European states are now reconsidering their positions and may say that tar sands are not any more harmful than conventional oil.
Tar sands imports into the EU are very minimal but many environmental advocats in Europe fear that if the EU - which is often seen as one of the most environmental aware governmental bodies - is not clearly highlighting the devastating effects of tar sands other governments might take that as an invitation to say "well, if even the EU doesn't have a problem with tar sands they cannot be that bad, right?" to justify their own interests in introducing tar sands.
In this context it's nice to see European MEPs siding with the growing number of European citizens that are educated about the devastating effects of tar sands for our climate and are demanding from their governments to clearly put peoples interest before profits interest.
More information can be found on the webpage of the EU parliament here and here.
North Carolina Politicians working to Legislate Climate Denial!?
I’d like to start this post with a North Carolina geography lesson. Our great state begins in the west with beautiful, lush mountains that slope into a hilly and fertile piedmont which, in turn, descends into a wide and low-lying coast fringed with barrier islands (the Outer Banks). In North Carolina, we love our coast -- all 2,000+ square miles of coastal land that is threatened by climate change and the resulting rising sea levels.
I’m not a climate scientist, though I’ve read the work of many. And in reading the dire conclusions of study after study on the impacts of climate change, I imagine that climate scientists must start and end their days with a prayer that they are wrong. Like a doctor who has to tell a patient her cancer is terminal, they must check and recheck the data to ensure this bad news is true.
Which is why I am sure it must be frustrating to climatologists everywhere when legislators like those in my state of North Carolina circulate bills like this one. Active in this Summer’s General Assembly short session, this “coastal management policies” bill would legislate climate change denial into our state’s sea level rise planning.
Caught in Fiji’s floodwaters: Betty Barkha’s story
Each month the 350.org Pacific team are putting a spotlight on a different Pacific Island nation with stories from organisers on the ground. The 350.org Pacific Stories team is run by Pacific Islanders and seeks to share the voice of Pacific Islanders with the rest of the world. Check out this moving story and experience of one of our star organisers who was caught in the floodwaters in Fiji.
By: Chelsea Rae (Fiji)
In March and April this year, hundreds of people fled sweeping flood waters and raging rivers, for the second time in three months, as torrential downpours and cyclonic winds swept a devastating path across the Fiji islands. It has left thousands reeling in its wake. Families mourn their loved ones, snatched away by the torrents. Men have watched their wives and children wade through waist deep water with nothing but the clothes on their back. Wives and mothers regroup and get on with the task of rebuilding their homes.
Homes and livelihoods have been lost and, four weeks on, little has been recovered. Schools were closed for almost two weeks and in some cases longer, due to their use as evacuation centers. Power outages and severe water disruptions continue to have the medical authorities on high alert, with media health warnings being on high rotation. Graphic images have impacted the world and brought forth much appreciated aide. Although some sense of normalcy has been regained, the cleanup campaign continues.
Fiji is a nation built on the firm foundations of ‘brotherhood’ and loyalty; a passionate people who are empathetic and protective. Whether it is sports or tragedy, Fijians are united. It is the Fijian way and together we are working to rebuild
350 Pacific’s, Betty Barkha experienced the ordeal firsthand. Having being born and raised in the Western division of Viti Levu, where the floods were the most devastating, she is more fervent about the welfare of her people now, then she was a year ago. While displaced families occupied evacuation centers, this young woman and her family spent much of their time out in the receding waters. They d id the best they could with what little they had for their friends and their families.
“I have seen a glimpse of how climate change can ruin lives of many innocent people in the recent floods which inundated my home country of Fiji. Homes have been destroyed; even homes that weren’t even close to the sea or rivers were completely covered by flood waters. For many people there was nothing to return to. After the floods hit Fiji in March-April, my family and I took up flood relief work. It was so sad to see families crying in evacuation centers, sharing stories with each other of how they had no time to get essentials, or save their valuables… to see them talk so calmly yet whole heartedly about how their life would never be the same”
Climate change was not something she was taught about in primary school. It is a subject though she has gained a lot of familiarity with over the years through such experiences that beckon her to question and to connect the dots. Perhaps this flood itself is not as a result of climate change but, it is hard to ignore the intensity and frequency with which natural disasters are becoming prevalent. These are in line with predictions from the climate change models.
Betty is hopeful that despite the predictions and the cruel reality on the ground we will yet find a way to reduce emissions to avoid reversible climate change. She admits that Climate Change isn’t exactly a hot button subject amongst most of her peers. When asked about her frustrations regarding this climate change she said
“It’s … hard to get some organizations and groups of people to understand that climate change affects everyone. It hurts to see that because they aren’t affected directly, they choose not to be involved … What is most frustrating is when people think that advocating and doing something for climate change is a waste of time”
It really should not take the loss of homes, jobs and lives for people to realize that Climate Change is as real as an issue as poverty or disease, Betty reiterates. She is hopeful that a united Pacific stance on climate change will materialize that pushes for reduction of emissions and a low carbon energy future. Stewardship is an important lesson she feels.
Betty not only has Climate Change advocacy at heart but her recent experiences have enabled her to share her knowledge with others, introduce them to her work with 350.org and explain climate science to her community. As a result of Betty’s advocacy, a community in Lautoka has taken a stand. Earth hour has become a ‘daily’ practice. For an hour or more each night, power is shut down, candles are lit up and ‘family time’ takes on a whole new meaning. Tales are told, guitars are strummed and songs are sung. Indoors the shadows dance on the walls and outside the stars seem brighter. The novelty of this practice is exciting and contagious. This is not a phenomenon, it is a conviction. As this practice becomes more widespread and climate awareness intensifies, Betty’s hopes for her people and nation could become a reality…
“I hope that our land will still be there and our people will always have home...for those near the coast… and for those in the highlands”
For Betty and others like her who aren’t afraid to make a stand for her home and her people, the task may seem daunting but it’s not impossible. Her memories will never fade and will serve to strengthen her commitment in this fight against Climate Change inaction and for intergenerational equity.
This is her story!
You can follow 350.org Pacific on Facebook and Twitter or on the webpage: pacific.350.org
“We the People” – A fitting memorial.
Friends, it's Memorial Day in the United States, a weekend when Americans think a lot about their country and what it means.
This new song just arrived from two of our dearest friends, Mae Erlewine and Seth Bernard. It's about people taking a stand, sort of as they have been around the world since the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement and the Keystone uprising began. It mentions 350.org founder Bill McKibben, but the first and most important reference, right at the beginning of the song, is to woody Guthrie, who was a great American protest singer and songwriter--and the man who composed that people's anthem "This Land Was Made for You and Me."
Anyway, have a great weekend, and listen to some music!
The Road to Rio: Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy
This email just went out to our global list of supporters -- sign up here if you're not getting our updates!
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Dear friends,
In just a few weeks, world leaders are converging on Rio for a landmark "Earth Summit" to talk about sustainability issues -- but it’s time for them to stop talking and start doing. And we know where they can begin.
This year our governments will hand nearly hundreds of billions of dollars in government subsidies to the coal, gas, and oil industries. Instead, they should cut them off. Now.
Cutting fossil fuel subsidies could actually take a giant step towards solving the climate crisis: phasing out these subsidies would prevent gigatonnes of carbon emissions and help make clean energy cheaper than fossil fuels.
And here’s the thing: this demand is completely reasonable -- so reasonable that the leaders of the big countries have already agreed to it. The G20 promised in 2009 that fossil fuel subsidies would be phased out in the "medium term." But the political power of the corporate polluters scares them, and so no nation has yet followed through.
If we want real action to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, we need to give world leaders a people-powered push as the Rio Summit approches -- and that push starts today with this global call to action: www.350.org/rio
This Video from Samoa Rocks.
I met Brianna Fruean in November 2010 when I visited the South Pacific nation of Samoa. With a massive 12-year old smile she shook my hand and handed over her business card - "350.org Samoa Coordinator" (I won't forget the epic Michael Jackson quote on there too: "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change").
Since then, Brianna has demonstrated time and again that she is a world class organiser. She knows how to mobilise the community on scale for action on climate change and other environmental issues. You might have seen her in the 2011 Samoa Moving Planet video, where she worked up a massive rally to encourage the world to move beyond fossil fuels - that video has inspired hundreds of people around the world.
With a short turn-around time for Climate Impacts Day on May 5th this year, she and the rest of the 350 Samoa team got together and went big again. She's a little bit older (14 now), and the camera work has got a bit flasher, but there's still loads of inspiration to soak up from this video. So check out what the 350 Samoa team has got going on!
Brianna has been fundraising to attend Rio+20 as a youth delegate from Samoa. We'd love to see her there and speaking up loud - but she needs some more funding. If you're keen to support her to get there, then you can donate through the 350 Aotearoa (New Zealand) fundraising page.
Thanks Brianna and the rest of your team and family for the awesome work/inspiration!
The story of a glacier, a gigantic banner, and one cute dog.
I've been working on climate change issues for the past decade, and I've come to the conclusion that one of the biggest reasons we aren't seeing more public outcry on the issues boils down to a simple concept. Urgency. When most people talk about climate chance -- they talk about the future. What will our temperature rise be in 2100? What will happen to Arctic Ice and sea levels in 2050? What world will our grandchildren inherit? When we talk about climate change - we are often envisioning a future that is dire, frightening, and at times apocalyptic.
While many of these visions might be true, they don't instill a sense of urgency. It gives people, politicians, and corporations the sense that they have lots of time to deal with the issue, or more accurately, plenty of time to pass the buck and not deal with the issue at all. But as we've seen in recent years - climate change isn't just something that is looming in our future. It's happening here and now. When 350.org decided to launch Climate Impacts Day - I was very excited. Communities around the world are seeing the impacts of climate change all around them, and we desperately need to share these stories so that the world understands the urgency to this crisis. While I've followed news stories from around the world about droughts, floods, and extreme weather that climate change is increasingly affecting, I wanted to see what these impacts looked like in my backyard. So, I began research climate impacts here in California.
Bikes vs. Climate Deniers
We just sent this email out to everyone who signed our petition against the Heartland Institute.
Dear friends,
You probably remember this billboard:
That’s the ad that the Heartland Institute put up in Chicago a couple weeks ago, comparing people who believe in climate change to psychopaths like the unabomber. As soon as we saw the billboard, we teamed up with diverse coalition to launch a campaign to fight back against the Heartland Institute’s distortion and poor taste, and petitioned Heartland’s corporate sponsors to drop their support.
Well, we’ve got some good news: the campaign to neutralize the Heartland Institute is working. Over 150,000 people have already signed on, and a number of Heartland’s corporate sponsors have already pulled out, including Pepsi, State Farm, and Eli Lilly. Now, our friends at Forecast the Facts are taking the lead in on phase two of this campaign: turning up the heat on Heartland with a series of creative tactics.
The next big push in the campaign is deploy crowd-funded, bike-powered billboards targeting Heartland's corporate sponsors, like this:
Why are we using bike-powered billboards? Two reasons:
1) We want to be in the right place at the right time: this week, the Heartland Institute is hosting their annual conference for climate deniers. The media loves this story, so they'll be sure to be there -- and our people-powered billboards will be front and center. These highly visible moving ads that will be towed around downtown Chicago today, Tuesday, and Wednesday -- the same days that Heartland is holding their major climate change denial conference.
2) When we tried to rent the same billboards that the Heartland Institute used, Clear Channel (the media company that owns the billboards) told us that "You can't criticize corporations." It's ridiculous: Clear Channel was perfectly OK with Heartland comparing anyone who believed in climate change to a mass murderer, but they censor any ad criticizing a corporation. Rather than get distracted by this censorship, we found a clean, green way around it.
Our friends at SumOfUs are also joining in (and are hosting the online donation page) -- we need to raise at least $4,000, so if you can chip in anything at all please click here: www.350.org/en/bikes-vs-heartland
While Forecast the Facts does the important work of further discrediting the Heartland Institute, we're going to be finding new ways to connect the dots between the impacts of climate change and the broader climate crisis, as well as getting our new campaign against fossil fuel subsidies going at full speed (in the last week alone, over 120,000 people have added their names to a new bill to end these polluter handouts -- sign on here if you haven't added your name yet!)
We hope you'll take part in all of these efforts. Stopping climate change is going to take a lot of different approaches -- good thing our movement is getting big enough and diverse enough to work on multiple fronts!
Onwards,
Phil Aroneanu for the 350.org Team
More Links and Info
Billboard Wars, Chapter 2 (or Is It 3?) - NYTimes.com go.350.org/Jj7MyJ
Remaining Heartland Institute corporate sponsors: go.350.org/Jj7Sq2
New report: Keystone XL’s Massive Carbon footprint
A new report from the Congressional Research Service documents the massive carbon footprint of TransCanada's Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Despite misleading statements from industry and Congress that the pipeline will only ship oil that would otherwise be burned elsewhere if the pipeline is not built, the report shows how building the pipeline will be the equivilent of putting millions of cars on the road.
Keystone XL will carry tar sands oil, which as the dirtiest oil on earth, has a higher carbon footprint than other oils as well. The report concludes that building Keystone XL is the equivilent of putting 588,000 to 4,061,000 passenger vehicles on the road, or the the energy used to power 255,000 to 1,796,000 homes for one year.
With the world heating up and oceans rising, we can't afford any more projects like Keystone XL that accellerate the climate crisis. 350.org will continue to work to stop the pipeline and other attempt to expand the tar sands. Watch for more soon.