--- title: The Great Power Shift date: 2026-04-14T10:29:21Z modified: 2026-07-09T11:51:23Z permalink: "https://350.org/the-great-power-shift/" type: super_pages status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 175529146 author: andreea --- ![The Great Power Shift](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/option1-TGPS_STICKERS-18.png) ### Together, let’s shift the power from polluters to people! [Take action now](#petition) ## **We pay. They profit.** This needs to change. Soaring energy bills. Skyrocketing food prices. Worsening climate disasters. **These aren’t separate problems.** They share the same root: a world still hooked on oil, gas and coal – and governments choosing to support fossil fuel companies with public money. But this isn’t inevitable. It’s a political choice. **Join us for The Great Power Shift, 350.org’s 2026 global campaign to shift the power away from polluters and back to people.** Together, we can demand a different, _a better_ future – where people come before polluters, and clean, affordable energy is within reach for everyone. ## **The Great Power Shift starts now, are you in?** ## Our Demands **Energy shouldn’t be a luxury, it’s a basic right. Every family deserves clean, affordable power, not energy bills that keep rising while oil companies keep profiting. Here’s what we’re asking governments to do:** ### Stop funding the problem Public money should power our futures, not prop up fossil fuel companies. We want subsidies redirected to renewable energy that works for people. ### Make polluters pay Oil and gas companies have made trillions while households absorb the shocks. It’s time they contribute their fair share in taxes instead of passing the bill on to us. ### Build energy that works for everyone Clean, affordable energy should be a right – for homes, communities and small businesses everywhere. That means real investment in renewable energy systems that put power back in people’s hands. ## This is a global fight [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) Canada ### Demand an Excess Profits Tax! Call for a 75% tax on Big Oil’s excess profits to fund affordable, renewable energy.](https://350.org/canada/theyprofitwepay) [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://350.org/fr/nos-factures-leurs-profits/) France ### Nos factures, leurs profits Demand a permanent fossil fuel windfall tax — to protect families and drive the clean energy transition we urgently need. [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://350jp.org/affordability/) Japan ### “The Great Power Shift” (グレート・パワー・シフト) Tell the government: end fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies, invest in energy efficiency and renewables to lower costs. [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://350.org/id/yangmerusakyangbayar/) Indonesia ### Yang merusak, yang bayar Tell the Indonesian government: stop hiding the true cost of fossil fuels – tax windfall profits and put the money back in people’s pockets. [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](http://350.org/pt/eles-lucram-nos-pagamos) Brazil ### Eles lucram, nós pagamos Demand cleaner, cheaper energy from every candidate this election. Tell Congress: we want cheaper and cleaner electricity! [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb4xmqRCRs1kedWrCH3u) East Africa ### Mustakabali wetu, mikononi mwetu We demand local governments allocate more public money towards affordable, decentralized clean energy [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb4xmqRCRs1kedWrCH3u) South Africa ### Free Basic Electricity Now! Electricity is a basic need, not a luxury. With local elections approaching, it’s time to demand clean, affordable power for all. [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](https://350pacific.org/the-great-pawa-shift/) Pacific & Caribbean ### The Great Pawa Shift It’s time for Australia to stop extracting and start paying its fair share to fund a fossil-free Pacific future. Join us! [ ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/power-up-icon.png) ](http://gerceksebep.org/) Türkiye ### Gerçek Sebep: Fosil Yakıtlar We demand a just transition away from fossil fuels while unlocking the potential of renewable energy communities in Türkiye. Campaign 1 ### Stop funding the problem Public money should power our futures, not prop up fossil fuel companies. We want subsidies redirected to renewable energy that works for people. Campaign 2 ### Make polluters pay Oil and gas companies have made trillions while households absorbed the shocks. It’s time they contribute their fair share in taxes instead of passing the bill on to us. Campaign 3 ### Build energy for everyone Clean, affordable energy should be a right — for homes, communities and small businesses everywhere. Real investment in renewables that puts power back in people’s hands. ## Spread the word ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Submit-march-invoices-job-description-20.png) Print & share [Posters ](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zg-bBN7n50GXWoEmnf3fOmLBCdOqdAp9?usp=share_link) – Bring these to your next event or action [T-shirt Designs ](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/145Xe5Z-haWGpWpYPVdr0_Py0DxM4hDrM?usp=share_link) – Wear the message wherever you go [Sticker Sheet](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O2asz4WWFUtMts4QSXvdIWF4uRO9K82M/view?pli=1) – Stick them everywhere — your laptop, windows, walls ![](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Submit-march-invoices-job-description-21.png) Share online [Stickers](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UCVhFQrAgtRlx3LsOp98pRMpykA_4RF9?usp=sharing) – Drop these into chats, stories and posts [Animated Stickers](https://giphy.com/350TR/the-great-power-shift) – Eye-catching GIFs perfect for social media ![Out of Pocket Report cover](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Submit-march-invoices-job-description-19.png) Learn more [Out of Pocket: How Fossil Fuels are Draining Households and Economies](https://350.org/out-of-pocket-report/) Read our latest report on how war, energy prices and costs of fossil fuels are so deeply interconnected. [Read report](https://350.org/out-of-pocket-report/) ## Get the full picture ### Why do we need to shift the power right now? Because **the fossil fuel industry is making $12 trillion from our taxpayers money, every year. That’s $1400 per person worldwide!** Meanwhile **most of us are now [struggling to pay for basics](https://time.com/collections/davos-2026/7339214/global-affordability-crisis-cost-of-living-inflation-politics/)** like energy bills, food, rent, and more due to exploding costs of living: - In the UK, energy bills are 52% higher than before the pandemic - In Nigeria, Pakistan and Haiti, food prices have doubled - US housing prices have risen 45% since 2020 This is because when fossil fuel rates spike, the cost of everything, everywhere follows. Coal, oil and gas prices are unstable and swing wildly with every war, supply shock and geopolitical tension. The ongoing war in (West Asia) Middle East has hit our wallets even harder. When the [Strait of Hormuz](https://350.org/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-strait-of-hormuz/?) closed in February 2026, oil prices jumped past $100 a barrel. Gas prices increased by 30%. As [fuel prices rose](https://abcnews.com/Business/big-concern-closure-strait-hormuz-drive-prices-gasoline/story?id=131322577), [fertilizer costs surged](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/fertilizer-price-iran-war-food-security-inflation-urea-potash-nitrogen-farmers.html) too. [Food prices followed](https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2026/03/04/straight-of-hormuz-impact-on-food-pricing/), leading to an increase in [grocery bills](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/11/strait-of-hormuz-closure-shipping-economy-oil.html). Even [mortgage rates went up](https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2026/03/16/10725762_strait-of-hormuz-how-the-closure-impacts-gas-food-prices-and-mortgages.html). Meanwhile **oil companies have made [€81.4 million in extra profits every single day](https://www.greenpeace.de/publikationen/Uebergewinne_Oelkonzerne_EU_Vergleich.pdf?utm_campaign=verkehr&utm_source=www.greenpeace.de&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=press-release)** since the war began. Fossil fuel dependence is the root cause of both the climate crisis and the cost of living crisis, deepening inequality globally. The time to change ‘business as usual’ is now! ### How are fossil fuels driving up our cost of living? Fossil fuels drain our money in many different ways at once with their bill landing directly in our pockets, our taxes and on our health : - **Higher energy bills.** Coal, oil and gas prices jump with every conflict and supply shock. When they increase, everything follows: heating, cooling, transport, groceries. Unlike any other energy source, fossil fuel prices can double overnight. - **Our taxes fund the industry causing the harm.** Governments handed [$725 billion](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2025/12/20/underpriced-and-overused-fossil-fuel-subsidies-data-2025-update-572729) in direct fossil fuel handouts in 2024 alone, money that could have funded schools, hospitals and clean energy instead. - **Fossil fuels make us sick — and we pay for that too.** Burning fossil fuels causes severe air pollution. Those healthcare costs come straight out of our pockets and public health budgets. Ending fossil fuel subsidies would prevent [70,000 premature deaths](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2025/12/20/underpriced-and-overused-fossil-fuel-subsidies-data-2025-update-572729) every year. - **Extreme weather is getting more expensive.** Fossil fuels drive the climate crisis — which leads to [droughts](https://350.org/fossil-fuels-did-this-drought/), [floods](https://350.org/fossil-fuels-did-this-floods/), [cyclones](https://350.org/fossil-fuels-did-this-tropical-cyclones/), [heatwaves](https://350.org/fossil-fuels-did-this-heatwaves/). Extreme weather now costs the world [$16 million per hour](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/10/climate-loss-and-damage-cost-16-million-per-hour/). In the US alone, 27 climate disasters in 2024 cost [$182.7 billion](https://www.ucs.org/about/news/science-agency-confirms-grim-economic-human-toll-2024-us-extreme-weather-climate) — paid for by taxpayers. - **We spend more just to stay comfortable.** As [summers get hotter](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/climate-change-is-subjecting-more-americans-to-unbearable-extreme-heat/) and [winters more extreme](https://neada.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/winteroutlook25-26.pdf), our [heating and cooling costs keep rising](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/extreme-heat-drive-home-cooling-costs-10-year-high-report-rcna154712) — with climate change expected to add an estimated [$88,000 in lifetime energy costs](https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/earth-day-2024-report/) for a child born today. This is not a series of separate problems. It is one system built on fossil fuels, extracting money from ordinary people at every turn and transferring it to Big Oil executives. ### Can renewable energy bring down our cost of living? Yes, and it already is bringing down costs for many people around the world. The sun and wind are free. Unlike coal, oil and gas, they don’t need to be extracted, shipped and burned every day. Once built, the price is stable, predictable and keeps falling. **In 2024 alone, renewables helped the world avoid $467 billion in fossil fuel costs.** Here’s what that looks like in practice: - [In **Spain**, r**enewables made wholesale electricity almost a third cheaper** than the EU average in 2024.](https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/5-things-you-should-know-about-your-electricity-bill-2026-02-17_en) - EU households generating their own [solar save €260–€550 per year](https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/5-things-you-should-know-about-your-electricity-bill-2026-02-17_en) on bills. - In Rural Minnesota, US, a community cooperative is on track to [cut electricity rates by 42%](https://rmi.org/the-affordable-energy-future-we-all-need-is-closer-than-ever/) over ten years. - Across Asia, Africa and the Americas, community-owned solar energy is powering homes that fossil fuel systems never reached. [Read the stories.](https://350.org/hope-hub/) Renewables aren’t the expensive option. Staying dependent on fossil fuels is. ### So why are we still stuck in this expensive and broken system? Because the fossil fuel industry is spending trillions making sure we stay dependent on them. Between [lobbying](https://oilchange.org/blogs/fossil-fuel-industry-has-spent-nearly-2-billion-on-lobbying-to-kill-climate-laws/), [political contributions](https://oilchange.org/blogs/fossil-fuel-industry-has-spent-nearly-2-billion-on-lobbying-to-kill-climate-laws/), [false advertising ](https://influencemap.org/report/Climate-Lobbying-by-the-Fossil-Fuel-Sector)and [disinformation](https://www.nrdc.org/bio/zanagee-artis/unveiling-big-oils-campaign-lies), Big Oil spent [27 times](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/these-fossil-fuel-industry-tactics-are-fueling-democratic-backsliding/) as much as climate groups from 2008 to 2018 to block action. And governments reward them: fossil fuel subsidies hit a record [$7 trillion in 2022](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2023/08/22/IMF-Fossil-Fuel-Subsidies-Data-2023-Update-537281). In 2023, G20 governments spent three times more on fossil fuels than renewables – [$535 billion versus $168 billion.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/press-release/g20-spending-three-times-fossil-fuels-renewables) This is a political problem. The technology exists. The economics are clear. We must tell our governments to stop rewarding polluters and start investing in affordable, renewable energy. [Uruguay is proof](https://350.org/hope-hub/) that this works. In 2008, the country was in an energy crisis with no wind or solar farms. Within a decade, the government has built 98% renewable electricity. Energy costs halved. 50,000 jobs created. Prices became stable. ### What else can you do to shift the power? The fossil fuel industry has billions of dollars. We have something more powerful: billions of people. Here’s what you can do right now: - [**Sign the petition above**](#petition), if you still haven’t! - **Share your story.** How is the cost of living affecting you and your family? Talk about it, post it and tag us **@350.org** and **\#GreatPowerShift** on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/350org/), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/350.org/), [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/350.org) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/350-org/posts/), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/350org). - **Spread the word.** Share this page with your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. Download and share our sticker sheets, posters, artwork and tote bags. - **Get involved locally.** Find [your local 350 campaign](https://350.org/get-involved/) and join the people already fighting for change where you are. - **Start your own petition or local campaign.** [Start here](https://community.350.org/) and we’ll help you find the tools, the people and the strategy to make it count. - **Work with us.** Are you a journalist, researcher, organizer or campaigner working on this topic? [Get in touch](https://350.org/contact/) – we’d love to collaborate.