You are here

J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

In the fight for utility and climate justice, public knowledge is power

Fossil Free - Fri, 07/12/2024 - 07:12
Utility companies don’t want us to teach people how they operate. So that’s exactly what we did.

When they work well, our utilities exist in the background of our lives: they power our homes, cool us down when it’s hot, give us heat when it’s cold. But too often, they are sources of aggravation: the power goes off when it is dangerously hot or cold out, our bills skyrocket, our utility companies threaten to shut off our utilities due to inability to pay… the list goes on. We know that climate change raises those stakes even higher—and our utility companies themselves play a massive role in exacerbating the climate crisis. 

80% of electric utilities in the U.S. run on fossil fuels. Tackling utilities head on is integral to working towards a safer climate.

And yet the system is designed to make it difficult for us to fight back.

But there’s good news: we just need to equip people with the skills and information that utility and fossil fuel companies work so hard to keep from us. That’s why over the past two months, we hosted a public education series to dive deeper into how our utilities work and what tactics we can use to fight and restructure them. 

Hundreds of people joined to learn how to take on their utilities, from public utility commissions to legislation and corporate accountability.

So what’s next? We act.

Next month, together with local groups and affiliates across the country, we are taking to the streets all across the country to hold utility companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.

Interested in joining us? Pledge your support for the week of action

If you did not get a chance to join us for our public education series, you haven’t missed out! You can watch the recordings and get a preview below.

 

Our education series focused on six topics and tactics:

  1. Legislative and Ballot Initiatives, featuring John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance; Lucy Hochshartner, Pine Tree Power; & Taylor Smith-Hams, 350.org
    1. Find out how different states rank when it comes to energy democracy and utility accountability
    2. Learn from Pine Tree Power, Maine’s campaign for the first statewide utility with a climate mandate  
    3. See how 350.org’s utility legislation toolkit can help you win your campaign 
      1. Watch the recorded training
  2.  Community Run Renewables, featuring Sachiko Graber, Cooperative Energy Futures; & Jonathan Walle, Cleveland Owns
    1. Learn how Ohio’s own community solar co-op is shifting the energy system towards energy democracy
    2. Dive deeper into how to change energy systems and drive profit back to communities
    3. See how 350.org’s Our Own Power toolkit can support your community-centered work
      1. Watch the recorded training
  3. Corporate Accountability and Finance, featuring Bill Regan, Movement Cooperative; Kim Fraczek and Michael Paulson, San Energy Project; & Rob Galbraith, Little Sis
    1. Learn how legislatures enable utilities to have monopolies, and how to campaign on rate cases
    2. Find out how to campaign for public utilities to have a non-profit model
    3. See what movies utilities and how to build your corporate campaign strategy
      1. Watch the recorded training
  4.  Public Utility Commissions, featuring Nancy LaPlaca, Third Act; Susan Miller, Earthjustice; & John Qua, Lead Locally
    1. Learn what Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) are and why they’re important sites of struggle
    2. Sift through different types of proceedings at PUCs and how to engage in them
    3. Unpack local and state utility elections and how to build an electoral utility strategy in your community 
      1. Watch the recorded training
  5.  Power Mapping and Campaign Research, featuring Lauren Parker, LittleSis
    1. Learn how power research and power mapping can strengthen our campaigns against powerful actors like utilities
      1. Watch the recorded training
  6.  IRA Direct Pay, featuring Heejin Hahn, Congressional Progressive Caucus
    1. Learn how to get federal funds to support building renewable energy projects in your community
      1. Watch the recorded training

The post In the fight for utility and climate justice, public knowledge is power appeared first on 350.

Turning hope into action

Fossil Free - Fri, 07/05/2024 - 04:38

This election has brought an end to a catastrophic 14 year Conservative rule that has decimated our public services and pushed millions of people into poverty. Make no mistake, the continued resistance and push back on Conservative policies from people like you is part of the reason for their colossal decline in this election. Thank you.

But perhaps like me, you’re feeling a mixed response to a Labour majority government. Whilst the end of the Conservative reign is truly welcome, we’re seeing some of the least ambitious politics from the Labour party in recent history and many of their positions on climate policy are weak. The Labour Party won on a platform largely made up of xenophobia, an attack on LGBTQ+ rights, and increased policing. As a trans person I cannot celebrate an incoming Prime Minister who is an outright transphobe and it feels impossible to feel represented by a government failing to call for a ceasefire in Palestine.

However, I believe an election doesn’t give us our leader, it gives us our opponent. A new Prime Minister is simply a new pressure point and under a Labour government there are far more opportunities to achieve change, than under a Conservative one.

This election has given me hope in other ways. We finally have a new government committed to no new oil and gas production, and during the election we saw a swell of people pushing for ambitious policies around climate, nature and democracy. The Green Party has 4 new MPs and 5 pro-Palestine independent candidates were voted in, in place of Labour MPs.

Whilst the Labour government has won a majority, the voter turnout was the lowest it’s been in 20 years and many of the seats were won by a lower number of votes than expected. This shows a lack of faith in Labour and their politics from the get go — something that will be impossible for them to ignore. As the new government finds its feet, this is a huge opportunity and we can and must push harder for the ambition we need.

Very soon we will be launching a new, ambitious campaign laying out what we think the UK government should be focusing on to tackle the cost of living and the climate crisis. 

We must not ignore that this election also saw a terrifying rise in support for far right politics. Across the channel our neighbors in France are facing the terrifying prospect of a far right government for the first time since the second World War, and it’s looking increasingly likely that Trump could return as President in the US. As we move forward, we cannot be intimidated or isolated by these hateful politics. A better climate and thriving communities can and will be won only by uniting together to fight for collective peace, justice and liberation for everyone.

Thank you to all our supporters for everything you have done to help bring climate and justice to the forefront of this election. There are never perfect wins, but today’s government has many more things that are better about it than the one we had yesterday.

Let’s take a moment today to celebrate what we have achieved together, and we will be in touch soon to continue the fight.

Whatever your feelings about today’s results, remember that in our victories, in our despair and in our fight — we’re all in this together.

If you’d like to help us push for better, bolder policies for people and the planet, please consider making a donation today. With your support, we can seize this moment and push for the climate action and social justice we desperately need.

The post Turning hope into action appeared first on 350.

Fossil Free News – A critical time for climate action

Fossil Free - Mon, 07/01/2024 - 00:55

This newsletter is also available in French and Spanish.

It’s early summer for most, but we’ve already had a taste of the harsh realities of climate change: brutal droughts in Africa, dangerous rain floods in the Arabian Peninsula, and savage storms in the US.

In my own country of India, along with other parts of Asia, we are experiencing a severe heat wave with record-breaking temperatures, losing lives everyday. In Brazil, relentless floods, fueled by climate neglect, continue to wipe out entire cities.

At the same time, big players like the EU, UK, France, and the US are prepping for major elections that could really determine the direction of the climate crisis globally. These economies are a part of the G7 group which is responsible for 27% of global oil and gas production and nearly half of carbon pollution from new projects. We want them to elect leaders who will push hard for a fair, safe energy future.

So we are doubling-down on our efforts to hold the G7 accountable. When their leaders met in Italy this month, we demanded that they urgently stop funding fossil fuels abroad and provide fair finance for renewable energy in vulnerable countries.

We know we have the power and resources to reduce these frightening climate impacts!

As one of the 10 Most Influential Environmental Campaigns, our work matters, now more than ever before…

In Case You Missed It Honoring Africa’s Renewable Energy Heroes

We kicked off June with a bang during our annual AfrikaVuka Week, led by 350 Africa. We honored local heroes in renewable energy through the AfrikaVuka Awards, celebrating incredible people and organizations from Cameroon, Senegal, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa for their dedication to renewable energy solutions.

Among the stars were individuals like Julius Mujuni, who has supported 190+ clean energy entrepreneurs, created 800 jobs, and offset 200,000+ metric tonnes of carbon in Uganda and groups like the Circle of Grand Pioneers, setting up decentralized renewable energy systems in Benin. For us these awards celebrate the rise of renewable energy in Africa, led by communities saying no to fossil fuels and yes to sustainable power! Congratulations to all the AfrikaVuka Awards winners – keep inspiring Africa and us all!


The Circle of Pioneers receive their AfrikaVuka Award at the AfrikaVuka Awards Ceremony in Benin. Photo credit: Cogito Arts Photography

Making the Future in Europe

With the European Parliament elections in full swing from 6-9 June, we knew it was our moment to raise our voices loud and clear! Across 13 countries in Europe, including Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Poland, Denmark, France, and Belgium, we joined forces in over 130 cities. Teaming up with our partners at Climate Action Network (CAN) International, we took to the streets with clear demands for climate and justice:

  • End fossil fuel finance and subsidies,
  • Tax the rich and make polluters pay,
  • Cancel the debt of Global South countries so the money can go to renewable energy.

We believe in the collective Power to the People: we have the right to decide how to manage politics, economics, and our energy systems. Our message was strong and unwavering: together, #WeMakeTheFuture!

Activists march in Germany on 2 June, ahead of European Parliament Elections. Photo credit: Santiago Rodriguez

Promoting a Fair Energy Transition

On 10 June, we had a powerful virtual press conference where we launched our Principles for Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs). JETPs are collaborative efforts among countries to ensure a speedy transition for developing countries to renewable energy sources. Sadly, the reality is that expensive access to finance traps these nations in debt and takes resources away from funding this transition.

The Principles for JETP advocate for fairness, transparency, and equity in climate finance, ensuring developing countries can transition to renewable energy without falling into debt. Collectively developed by 350africa.org, 350.org and our partners, they aim to empower local communities, promote climate justice, and call on global leaders to support sustainable energy solutions for all.

An overview of the principles for just energy transition partnerships in developing countries. Taken from: Principles for a fair JETP by Recipient Countries

Flipping the Switch on Banks in Asia

Throughout Asia, our Flip the Switch Campaign gained momentum as we joined forces at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Clean Energy Forum. From Bangladesh to Japan, our teams rallied in protest, urging the ADB to support a fair transition to cleaner energy across developing countries. We made it clear: no more funding for destructive projects like dams, nuclear facilities, waste-to-energy schemes, and fossil gas. Instead, we demanded a shift towards renewable energy sources. We called for transparency, fairness, and responsibility in investments and emphasized the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes to protect their rights and livelihoods. Our activists protested directly outside ADB offices and project locations, showing the Bank that we are not backing down.

A hundred activists protest in front of the ADB headquarters, on 6 June, in Manila, the Philippines. Photo credit: 350 Pilipinas

One to Watch

Our fantastic team in Indonesia has just launched the long-awaited extended version of their film AdventuRE, where we explore the exciting challenges and opportunities of community-based renewable energy in Indonesia.

Have a look at Java’s powerhouse role in generating over 60% of the nation’s electricity, Bali’s bold steps towards a green energy transition, and Sumba’s eye-opening reality of unequal development:

Watch the film

Use Your Power

Are you sick of hearing about the devastating impacts of the climate crises? Do you want to do something about it? Join our movement by taking actions from signing a petition to organizing in your community for change. We’ve made it easy for you:

Get involved

Skill Up Your Activism

We’ve talked a fair bit so far about the need for our leaders to take action against the fossil fuel industry.

But do you know where the real power lies? That’s right – it’s with us, the people! We’re the ones choosing our leaders and we are the ones rallying every day to push them for change.

Dive into our fun (and free!) 20-minute course, developed by the 350.org team, and discover how social movements like ours can win, even against the wealthy and politically connected fossil fuel industry.

Discover the course

Quote of the month

“The planet is trying to tell us something. Now is the time to mobilize, now is the time to act, now is the time to deliver.”

– António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024

IN OTHER NEWS

 

The post Fossil Free News – A critical time for climate action appeared first on 350.

Pages

The Fine Print I:

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) unless otherwise indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s, nor should it be assumed that any of these authors automatically support the IWW or endorse any of its positions.

Further: the inclusion of a link on our site (other than the link to the main IWW site) does not imply endorsement by or an alliance with the IWW. These sites have been chosen by our members due to their perceived relevance to the IWW EUC and are included here for informational purposes only. If you have any suggestions or comments on any of the links included (or not included) above, please contact us.

The Fine Print II:

Fair Use Notice: The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of scientific, environmental, economic, social justice and human rights issues etc.

It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The information on this site does not constitute legal or technical advice.