WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — A year after Trump’s announcement on 1st June 2017 that the United States would exit the Paris Climate Agreement, 350.org Executive Director May Boeve, comments:
“A year ago we said we would harness public outrage at Trump’s decision into meaningful on-the-ground action, and that’s what we have done. Every day we see new groups forming up and achieving big wins against fossil fuel projects and investments. In the meantime the fossil fuel industry is on a terminal decline, side-lined by thousands of people mobilizing worldwide, launching lawsuits and blocking fossil fuel infrastructure with their own bodies.
“A year ago, as Trump sided with the fossil fuel lobby, we also launched a challenge to local governments, businesses and others to step up their climate game and implement real solutions. While the momentous wave of commitments to divest, go 100% renewable and ban fossil fuel projects has kept on, we’re here to remind leaders that we need tangible action, not just words. We can expect a groundswell of local actions between now and the end of the year, with people rising for climate everywhere.”
What’s ahead: A groundswell of local climate action
Numerous frontline and grassroots groups resisting fossil fuel infrastructure have announced actions over the coming months to stop these projects in their tracks, including an unprecedented number of climate camps and mass actions across Europe.
On 8 September, people from across the world will Rise for the Climate hosting gatherings, holding rallies and putting pressure on authorities and institutions locally to cut their financial ties to fossil fuel companies, ban fossil fuel developments and switch to a community-controlled renewable energy economy.
On 13 October, groups around the world will take action against gas locally, targeting infrastructure as well as the companies and funders behind the projects.
What happened since the White House announcement in June 2017?
- A wide range of cities, states, businesses, universities and communities all over the U.S. have made commitments and taken actions to honour the Paris Agreement
- Job creation in the renewable energy sector has kept outgrowing the rest of the U.S. economy, confirming a worldwide trend: globally there are now already 10 million jobs in the renewable energy industry.
- Global cities like New York and London, as well as universities, pension and sovereign funds have taken steps to divest their funds from fossil fuel holdings. New York sued the five biggest oil companies and Paris is considering doing the same.
- Eight African capitals and metropolises have recently pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, joining a growing cohort of cities large and small.
- New fossil fuel projects are met everywhere with fierce popular resistance, from the Kinder Morgan pipeline in Canada to the giant Adani coal mine in Australia and KeystoneXL in the United States, while banks and insurance companies are pressured into reviewing their environment and climate policies.
Following Trump’s announcement, all other countries immediately reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement. Yet, progress has fallen short of what is needed to avoid the worst of the climate crisis.
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CONTACT: Melanie Mattauch, 350.org Europe Communications Coordinator, melanie@350.org, +49 151 5812 0184
In New York: Thanu Yakupitiyage, 350.org U.S. Communications Manager, thanu@350.org, +1 413 687 5160