WASHINGTON, D.C.– A year ago, Trump’s announcement that the United States would exit the Paris Climate Agreement galvanized commitments and actions from a wide range of cities, states, businesses, universities and communities all over the U.S. All other countries immediately pledged to move forward regardless, even though progress has fallen short of what is needed to avoid the worst of the climate crisis.
On September the 8th, grassroot movements worldwide will push for real climate leadership before the 2020 deadline, through a massive global mobilization called Rise for Climate.
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 happened this past year since the White House announcement:
- 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 and gas pipelines in Europe, while banks and insurance companies are pressured into reviewing their environment and climate policies.
What’s ahead: Rise for Climate
On 12-14 September, the Global Climate Action Summit organized by California governor Jerry Brown aims to showcase efforts by local and regional governments as well as the business community.
On 8 September, people from across the world will host gatherings, hold rallies and take actions to demand true climate action at the summit and beyond. Communities taking part in the global Rise for Climate mobilization will be pushing to secure a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all and a ban to all fossil fuel projects, old and new.
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CONTACT:
Claudio Magliulo, claudio@350.org, +39 347 680 8955
Thanu Yakupitiyage, thanu@350.org, +1 413 687 5160