Governments have let us down, again.
This past weekend, at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Osaka, Japan, leaders of the world’s top 20 economies met to talk global economic issues. But they failed to make any commitments to keep fossil fuels in the ground – despite saying since 2009 that they would take action to do so.
Two days before the summit, people protest at the site of a planned coal-fired power plant in Yokosuka. Photo: 350 Japan
Ahead of the summit, more than 80,000 people from around the world demanded that Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, show climate leadership by ending finance for coal and other fossil fuels. Actions took place at coal plant sites, in the streets, and at Japanese embassies in cities across Asia. The message was even projected on the historic Osaka Castle.
Happening now: Pikachus are on their way to the Japanese Embassy in Manila. Nope, they’re not going to apply for a Japanese visa 😉 pic.twitter.com/Wee1NTftP6
— 350 East Asia (@350EastAsia) June 25, 2019
But in order to appease Trump, Japan ended up watering down its commitments and failed to push for decisive action. This just goes to show – we can’t just rely on politicians to make the change we need for us.
And we don’t have much time to lose. That’s why this September, people everywhere are getting ready for global action on a scale never seen before to take on business as usual.
We have seen people power work time and time again. But it takes every single one of us. Join the global climate strike on September 20 to find out how to get involved.
Governments may continue to fail us as fossil fuel finance is still holding on, but we, the people, have the power to put an end to fossil fuels’ reign.