We\u2019ll be back in 2020 with more Fossil Free News updates from around the world. From everyone at 350.org, we wish you a healthy, happy new decade \u2013 with climate justice for all.<\/p>\n
Top 10 People-Powered Moments of 2019<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gofossilfree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/editor-2019-12-20-3.png\")
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1. Brazilian states ban fracking<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In a historic victory after years of campaigning, the state of Paran\u00e1 in Brazil passed a law<\/a> in July to permanently ban fracking \u2013 and Santa Catarina state followed weeks later. It means Latin America\u2019s largest shale reserves will go untapped, with 18 million people safe from the direct impacts of fracking. The wins energized a national debate to ban fracking across the whole country; municipal bans have already passed in hundreds of cities and towns across Brazil. Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Divestment milestone<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In September, the amount investors committed to divest from oil, coal, and gas companies reached more than $11 trillion USD, blowing past the goal set last year of $10 trillion divested by the end of 2020. And since September, we\u2019ve already hit $12 trillion! Follow the cities, companies, and institutions divesting with our divestment commitment tracker.<\/a><\/p>\n 3. Promise to protect<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Indigenous leaders and allies held a March-May training tour for 1,160 people in nine U.S. cities. They were answering the call to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and protect water and ancestral lands. Construction continues to be debated and delayed \u2013 but people across the United States are prepared for creative resistance in case it resumes. Watch the wrap-up video from the tour.<\/a><\/p>\n 4. Lamu, saved<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After years of resistance, in June a Kenya tribunal cancelled a developer\u2019s license to build a new coal plant at Lamu, a stunning coastal UNESCO world heritage site. It was a huge victory, made even sweeter by the fact that the court recognized the lack of public participation and risks to people and the environment. See the celebration.<\/a><\/p>\n 5. Williams pipeline moratorium<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Activists pushed New York\u2019s Governor to halt the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, which would bring fracked gas to New York City. The company has re-applied for construction permits, but people are demanding a permanent ban and a Green New Deal to make sure it never gets built. Watch the recap.<\/a><\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Afrika Vuka launch<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A new platform<\/a> to unite grassroots campaigns across Africa is bringing together learnings and resources from groups working to halt fossil fuel infrastructure and promote a transition to renewable energy. Thanks to local campaigning, in April South Africa\u2019s Nedbank became the first<\/a> African bank to stop project financing for coal, after they decided not to fund Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal plants.<\/p>\n 7. Fossil Free EIB<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the world\u2019s biggest international public bank and the \u20ac555 billion lending arm of the European Union. Thousands of people pressured the bank to axe fossil fuels from its lending policy, and last month it permanently ended support for most fossil fuel projects! Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n 8. Asian banks dump coal\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The world\u2019s fifth largest bank, Japan\u2019s MUFG, tightened its lending policy<\/a> in May, when it announced an end to new project finance for coal power. Campaigners continue to target the Asian banks financing coal, especially in Japan. And we\u2019re chipping away: Singapore\u2019s big three banks also announced ending financing to new coal plants earlier this year.<\/p>\n 9. Europe\u2019s gas does not pass<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Three iconic fights against gas won big victories in Europe this year. The MidCat pipeline between Spain and France, and Gothenburg terminal in Sweden were both cancelled, while fracking was banned in the UK. Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n 10. Millions strike for the climate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n September\u2019s climate strikes were groundbreaking, with 7.6 million people in 185 countries taking part. Together, we snatched front pages of news outlets around the globe and put the fossil fuel industry on notice, setting the tone for what\u2019s to come. Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n Back in 2009, at the end of the last decade, the climate movement was small and scrappy. Together, we\u2019ve grown into a diverse, powerful movement ready to take on the fossil fuel industry into the 2020s: a mission-critical decade for averting the worst of climate crisis.<\/p>\n Take a look at 350.org\u2019s path through the past decade<\/a> and the people-powered wins we\u2019ve celebrated along the way.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gofossilfree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/editor-2019-12-20-5.png\")
\nSave Lamu activists celebrate a victory against a coal plant in Kenya. Photo: DeCOALonize<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gofossilfree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/editor-2019-12-20-7.png\")
\nPeople from across Europe sit in at the EIB in Luxembourg in June. Photo: 350 Europe<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gofossilfree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/editor-2019-12-20-8.png\")
\nSeptember 20 Climate Strike in Bogot\u00e1, Colombia. Photo: Laura Imery<\/span><\/p>\nA decade of climate action<\/h1>\n
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\nPhoto: Members of Cairo Cycling Club on 350.org\u2019s first global day of action, October 24, 2009<\/span>.<\/p>\n