350.org, Local Groups Kick Off Global Month of Action

227 350.org together with grassroots groups and communities across Africa and around the world are participating in over 200 actions in 46 countries that will kick off a global month of action to call for a renewable energy revolution and an equitable shift away from fossil fuels. The actions are part of an initiative by 350.org dubbed “Power Up”, which demands that governments across the globe shift money away from polluting fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) and channel substantial investments to powering up a safe, just, and sustainable future built on people-centered renewable energy. The actions will also take place against the background of the announcement of staggering profits by different fossil fuel companies, that blatantly prioritize profit at the expense of people and the planet. Glen Tyler-Davies, South Africa team Lead, 350Africa.org said that as the transition to renewable energy happens, a bigger risk is that it is increasingly a disorderly transition – a transition with no clear plan which preserves or worsens inequality in terms of energy access and who holds power over energy generation. He further called on African leaders to wake up and understand the importance of providing and implementing a plan for a just transition that provides power, both literal and figurative, to the people. Adding that the people need to power up a clean, just, and renewable energy future. As Africa bears the brunt of worsening climate impacts such as flooding, droughts, and storms, communities are calling on the governments to hold polluters accountable by making them pay through taxing their earnings and redirecting these finances to fund a renewable energy system rooted in justice. Rukiya Khamis, Africa Regional Organizer, 350Africa.org  echoing the call said Africa has an abundance of renewable energy potential that presents a unique opportunity for the continent to drive the global renewable energy revolution and foster an equitable transition away from fossil fuels. “As we experience escalating climate impacts, to which the African continent is the most vulnerable, we are hopeful that a liveable future is possible. We are calling on governments and financial institutions to power up the continent safely by channeling finances to people-centered renewable energy, committing to phasing out fossil fuels, and for the fossil fuel industry to pay up for its role in the climate crisis,” said Rukiya. According to Zaki Mamdoo, Coordinator, of the Stop EACOP coalition, these actions unite activists, organizations, and communities worldwide and coincide with the announcement of fossil fuel giants’ record profits, earned through the exploitation of our labor and the environment. Calling for more unification as done by 350.org through hundreds of actions across the globe to demand an end to the fossil fuel era and a transition to community-owned renewable energy systems rooted in justice.