This issue, we’re focusing on what came out of COP26, the UN climate talks. The agreements made during the two weeks of the UN summit weren’t what we had hoped for, but we know the power to change things is with the people. And the energy from our movement was a big highlight in Glasgow!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this newsletter. We appreciate you.
Are we COP’d out?
Activists, partners and allies keeping up pressure at COP26 demanding more action from world leaders
Left – Glasgow Marches, Photographer — Hugo Duchesne
Right – Climate activists dressed as world leaders protest on the River Clyde outside the COP26 venue in Glasgow. Photographer – Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The global climate talks took place in Glasgow earlier this month, and produced the Glasgow Climate Pact. The United Nations calls this agreement both “an important step” and a “compromise”. But we’re calling it a disappointment. For the first time ever, the UNFCCC got tantalisingly close to a decision putting fossil fuels at the center, as the main culprits of the climate crisis. Then, they didn’t. The words of the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, in the first week of the summit keep resonating loud and clear: “we do not want that death sentence and we have come here to say ‘try harder’ because our people, the climate need our actions now.”
For the first time, there was a mention of fossil fuels in the final document — yes, it took them only 25 years to state the obvious. We saw several countries pledging to stop financing coal, oil and gas. But we saw last-minute watering down of crucial wording by using “phase down” rather than “phase out”. In an injustice to those who are already experiencing the harshest impacts of the climate crisis, not nearly enough money to pay for the damages it is causing, and to build a just transition to renewable energy was pledged by rich, global north countries (which they promised to do in the 2015 Paris agreement).
The failure of our governments makes true climate leadership stand out sharply in contrast. With or without a COP decision, the transition away from fossil fuels and towards a clean, just, renewable future is going to happen. Hope is people like us, and we will keep up the pressure.
Nothing about us without us
Thousands marched in Glasgow demanding accountability from leaders. Photographer – Hugo Duchesne
People power was the real highlight at COP26! Even with all the restrictions to civil society’s participation this year, we showed we are to be heard. From protests in the streets of Glasgow, to projections on the buildings and creative actions all around the world, we made our demand for climate justice impossible to ignore.
The actions started even before COP26, and as the summit continued and progress showed to be slow, about 100,000 people marched in Glasgow to demand more climate action from world leaders. Frontline communities led the march, reminding us all that tackling the climate crisis needs to happen now — not in 5 years, not in 2050.
People to the front video
And while activists and impacted communities faced innumerable barriers and were left out of the summit, an investigation from Global Witness showed that if the fossil fuels industry was a country, they would have been the biggest delegation at COP26. We sent a strong message that we don’t accept that. Speakers were spread through the conference halls and played recordings with the voices of activists from all around the world to say we need to be present: nothing about us, without us!
The world united
#PeopletotheFront – global actions from activists demanding leaders take global climate action
Top Right – Turkey – Photographer – 350 Turkey, South Africa – Photographer – Shannon Goodman, USA – Photographer – Erik McGregor
Bottom Right
Philippines – Photographer – Leo Sabangan II, Democratic Republic of Congo – Photographer – MNKF Creatives, Brazil – Photographer Lucas Landau.
From October 29th to November 6th, more than 120 actions happened in 26 countries demanding a definite end to the pour of money that feeds the wrecking of our climate and planet. From Manila to New York, Sao Paulo to Nairobi, London to the Pacific and across Europe, thousands of people took the streets and protested in front of some of the world’s biggest banks and financial institutions to demand that they end all funding for fossil fuels and direct resources to finance a just energy transition, supporting the most vulnerable nations to tackle climate breakdown. The actions were diverse and creative, including street murals and projections. Climate memorials were also held to remember those who have already lost their lives to the climate crisis.
THE ONE TO WATCH
Fossil fuelling the climate crisis
Fossil Fuel Finance Video 1/3
Speaking of money, our team in Asia has just published the first video from a series of three pieces aimed to break down the flows and formulas that characterize the complex landscape of fossil fuel financing.
The finance industry is fueling the fire of the crisis, and we know that renewable energy solutions are the only logical path forward. Climate impacts are already being experienced across the region — with those who contribute the least to the crisis experiencing the most significant negative externalities. For a fossil-free world, we need to cut the flow of money to fossil fuel industries!
This is really a must-watch! Check the first video here and stay tuned at our social media channels for the next two.
UPSKILL YOUR ACTIVISM
- A Better World is Paintable;
- Explore your creative side with our recently launched artivism guide! It brings tips and ideas on how to make catchy art pieces for your actions, as puppets, musical instruments, stencils and much more. The first step is to get a copy of the toolkit! It’s available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Swahili, Indonesian and Turkish. Get to downloading!
Quote of the month
Activist Txai speech at COP26
- Brazilian indigenous activist Txai Suruí’s speech at COP26
