Climate Emergency movement
On June 5th, 226 out of 228 local governments in South Korea signed an agreement to declare a Climate Emergency, bringing the global total to 1,737 declarations in 29 countries and the European Union. Though the demand for a national net-zero emissions target by 2050 is insufficient, it is notable that this effort represents a collaboration between local governments, calling on their national government to take action.
Local leaders made a direct connection between South Korea’s effective pandemic response and this approach to climate action: “As cooperation between central and local governments has been effective in the COVID-19 outbreak, the role of local governments is more important in responding to the climate crisis that is much more serious than the COVID-19,” said Taeyoung Yeom, Chairman of the National Association of Mayors.
A declaration of Climate Emergency in Del Mar, California on June 15 brings the count in the United States to 97.
Click here for more data on this campaign.
Facing the Climate Emergency- A Radical Self Help Book
Margaret Klein Salamon appeared with writer, director and producer Adam McKay on The Young Turks to discuss the new book Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth. You can download a free chapter, at FacingtheClimateEmergency.com.
Check out our shout out from children’s troubadour Raffi in Jacobin Magazine.
Margaret also joined Nomiki Konst on The Nomiki Show to discuss the Climate Emergency, climate psychology and how we can move people to action.
Extreme heat
On June 19, temperatures in Verkhoyansk, Siberia reached 100.4ºF — 32 degrees above average temperatures and the hottest temperature ever recorded in the Arctic Circle. Recent extreme heat has kicked off an early wildfire season in Siberia, and threatens to cause a repeat of the devastating 2019 fires in the area. On the same day, the northern town of Caribou, Maine was the hottest place in the U.S., reaching 96ºF.
Climate Justice
Over 650 actions across the U.S. took place this past weekend, keeping up demands to defund police and end police violence, and celebrating Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of American slavery on June 19, 1865.
Environmental media is continuing to focus on the connections between racism and the Climate Emergency, pointing to the urgent need for fight for justice on both fronts at the same time. For further reading check out the work of Climate Emergency movement allies Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Eric Holthaus and Mary Annaïse Heglar:
Climate Justice is Racial Justice, Racial Justice is Climate Justice — Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.
Why climate change is a civil rights battle — Eric Holthaus
We Don’t Have To Halt Climate Action To Fight Racism — Mary Annaïse Heglar
Thank you for being a part of this movement!