Sometimes it can feel like everything is going wrong.

First there was the EU referendum result — I don’t think I realised how much it would affect me. Not only do I fear the consequences of Brexit on our human rights, environmental legislation and the safety of migrants; but I also worry about what the result symbolised — the polarisation of our country, the anger and the bitterness.

Next I saw this same polarisation and bitterness rear it’s head within our political system, and particularly the Labour Party. Whatever you think of Corbyn or Labour in general, I think you’ll agree that it’s sad to see something that could be a force for progressive change collapse in on itself.

And then this week we’ve seen a new government sweep into power and cast aside the Department for Energy and Climate Change, subsuming it into the Business department — a department hell bent on cutting ‘red tape.’

But we can’t rely on business or on the markets to fight climate change — it’s that logic that allows new coal mines and fracking wells all over the UK, and slashes subsidies to the renewables we all want and need.

But despite all this, I still have hope for our fight for climate justice.

I spent the weekend in Belgium at a gathering of activists from all over Europe who are fighting for fossil fuel divestment in their communities and I was reminded not only of why we’re fighting, but also how we can still win.

I heard how Fossil Free Berlin built public pressure for divestment through bold actions, and negotiated with decision-makers behind the scenes to change the minds of those in power. And on the same day as the Brexit result, they won their campaign — celebrating the victory by breaking down a ‘Berlin Wall of fossil fuels.’

And chatting to campaigners from here in the UK I was amazed by the diversity of tactics being used, the allies being made in unusual places, and ultimately by the power of divestment to make real concrete gains in morally and politically bankrupting the fossil fuel industry.

If we can’t rely on the government in Westminster to tackle the climate crisis, address the power of the fossil fuel industry and keep it in the ground, then it really is up to us.

Through building local power and getting organised — like divestment campaigns across the country are doing — we can start to do the work that Westminster and big business won’t; fighting for unity, solidarity and justice.

Now’s the time to reclaim power — click here to join a campaign for divestment in your community.

Blog by Ellen  (350.org)

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