Climate Emergency Movement
Congratulations to organizers in Richmond, Virginia, where a climate emergency declaration passed on September 13. Members of the city council expressed their commitment to turning the emergency declaration into real changes to bring down emissions and increase the resilience of the city.
In total there have been 162 declarations of climate emergency in the United States, representing 12.73% of the country’s population.
The city council of Los Angeles, which declared a climate emergency in 2018, unanimously approved a plan to transition to 100% clean energy by 2035 within the department of water and power. The transition is estimated to create 9500 jobs as the city transitions its natural gas power generation over to wind and solar. This transition has been facilitated by a National Renewable Energy Laboratory study which demonstrates how Los Angeles can complete the energy transition on the short time table, without interruptions to service.
Santa Ana, California passed a declaration of Climate Emergency on September 7. According to Grist the declaration “ensures that initiatives implemented to slow the climate crisis are paired with policies to mitigate economic inequalities, environmental injustices, and public health risks tied to pollution in vulnerable communities.”
The organization Tourism Declares Climate Emergency is pushing for climate emergency declarations from tourism companies like hotels, tour operators and other groups, and offering blueprints for emissions reductions in the sector.
Tonight!
Are you wondering how to line up your climate organizing work with the demands and leadership of Indigenous organizers? Do you want to learn more about how to be an ally to Indigenous communities? You’re invited to join Climate Mobilization Network for a two-session Allies and Accomplices workshop presented by Renée Millard-Chacon and Micaela Iron Shell-Dominguez of Spirit of the Sun.
First Session: Tonight!
Second Session: Wednesday October 6.
From our supporters
One of our incredible supporters has created a petition asking the National Football League to tackle climate change. Please take 5 minutes to sign the petition to put some pressure on the NFL.
Climate Impacts
2.1 million Kenyans are in danger of starving to death as drought plague half the country. Asha Mohammad, the secretary general of the Kenya Red Cross, directly attributes the crisis to the climate emergency, calling for immediate and long-term change.
In a recent global study, over 56% of young people (ages 16-25) expressed extreme concern about humankind’s survival in the midst of the climate crisis. The strongest negative responses were from young adults in developing countries who are currently facing the worst of the climate emergency.
Firefighters recently used aluminum blankets to protect sequoias in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park from raging wildfires, in an innovative move to protect these incredible trees.
Good reads
A Swiss clothing maker pledges to transport its goods without carbon emissions within a decade. This article looks at how this small company’s ambitious promise could pressure the shipping industry to make changes.
The United States has joined the European Union in a commitment to reduce methane emissions 30% by 2030. Because methane is a greenhouse gas many times more powerful than carbon dioxide, reducing methane emissions is the fastest, most efficient way to limit global warming. Other nations are expected to sign onto this agreement during the COP26 Summit in November.
The Fossil Free Finance Act introduced by representatives Mondaire Jones, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib would phase out bank funding of the fossil fuel industry completely by 2030.
Join Greenpeace US in their effort to raise awareness about the impacts of the climate emergency on the state level. Find out more about vulnerabilities in your state and send a postcard to your representatives: The 50 States in Climate Crisis.