By Yemi Olakitan
The Global Battle to End Fossil Fuels has recorded more than 400 activities, marches, demonstrations, and events worldwide with less than a week left.
More than 780 organisations are supporting these mobilisations against fossil fuels, which are projected to gather millions of participants from September 15 to 17, 2023.
Prior to the UN Climate Ambition Summit on September 20 in New York, the actions are a part of a major global escalation demanding a swift end to fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner.
António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has urged world leaders to make bold pledges to phase out fossil fuels.
The concerted efforts aimed at putting an end to the era of fossil fuels are renewed and strengthened by the historic global mobilisation.
According to the organisers, the size of the mobilisation and the severity of the situation highlight the terrible effects of recent record-breaking temperatures, deadly floods, and rising extreme weather occurrences.
Millions of people are anticipated to participate in the mobilisations, which will draw attention to global leaders who continue to grow the use of oil, gas, and coal. The movement demands reaffirmed commitments for a quick, equitable, and just transition away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable renewable energy sources.
Global leaders are under pressure from Guterres and millions of people to phase out fossil fuels and resist the fossil fuel industry, which makes money from the exploitation of millions of people.
“The world needs a rapid and just transition to an efficient, fair, and universal energy system based on clean energy sources, produced with respect for nature and the sovereign rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities, according to the promoters’ submission,” they wrote.
The most recent information confirms the International Energy Agency’s conclusion that no new fossil fuel extraction can be produced within a 1.5°C limit and demonstrates that over half of current fields and mines should be shut down early while protecting workers and communities.
The onus is on the leaders of wealthy countries with a long history of pollution to implement a swift and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels and to provide the necessary funding on a global scale.
The hottest month in recorded climate history was July 2023, according to Tasneem Essop, executive director of the Climate Action Network. Polluters don’t seem to be alarmed by the catastrophic, unprecedented climate disasters that are sweeping the globe.
As floods, fires, and heatwaves take over our life, historical emitters like Norway, the UK, and the USA are announcing new fossil fuel projects. We are motivated by recent successes in the Yasuni region, where the people successfully stopped oil extraction through a referendum. We can succeed when the people employ their combined power. Let September’s protests against fossil fuels be a clear signal to the business and its backers that their time is over.
The Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice member organisation, Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, member Lidy Nacpil, stated: “The world must seek a speedy, equitable and just phase-out of fossil fuels and direct transition to renewable energy. No false answers, no escape routes, and no side trips using so-called bridge fuels. Any more delays in achieving true zero emissions by 2050 are unaffordable. The full transfer of wealthier nations’ climate financing obligations to the Global South is necessary for an equitable and just phase out.
“They are obligated to make amends for their role in the climate problem. The largest polluters have been unable to fulfil their duties for climate finance as well as their fair share of other climate initiatives. Companies that use fossil fuels are growing rather than disappearing. People everywhere, especially in the Global South, are victims of the worst injustices perpetrated by governments and companies.
“Deny, delay, deceive: the desperate tactics used by desperate men to cover up the truth of climate change, crush government action, and persuade us to lay the blame for the devastation we’re facing somewhere other than where it belongs – squarely at the feet of the fossil fuel industry,” said Catherine Abreu, founder and executive director of Destination Zero and co-chair of the Global Gas and Oil Network (GGON) International Policy working group.
“The global awakening alarm is being sounded by the march to halt the use of fossil fuels and the potent Acceleration Agenda of the UN Secretary General. There is a growing global understanding that fossil fuels must be phased out in a fair and just manner. It’s time for our climate accords to identify the root of the dilemma; COP28 may and must provide a decision to quickly transition to efficient, secure, renewable energy.
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative’s Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns & Advocacy: “The Africa Climate Summit has concluded in deception. What was a rare chance for our continent to establish itself as a climate and renewable energy leader has been stolen by fossil fuel interests. Despite this setback, the summit was a success for African movements, who steadfastly upheld the necessity of working together to create an Africa free of fossil fuels. In preparation for the worldwide mobilisations to abolish fossil fuels from September 15–17, we are bringing this group energy and people power to every corner of the globe.
If we want to break our reliance on fossil fuels and ignite a just energy transition, we need this kind of global cooperation and unity. Political leaders from the Global North gathered in New York must answer to the UNSG’s requests that they pay their climate debts owed to Africa and the vast regions of the world who are not to blame for the climate issue but are severely affected by it.
The commitment of affluent nations to support the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, the necessary mechanism for a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy for all, on the scale of our planet, which is now on fire, must be demonstrated at the next Climate Ambition Summit.
It is beyond absurd that nations like the UK, Norway, Canada, Australia, and the USA continue to permit massive new fossil fuel projects while claiming to be in the forefront of climate action, according to Lauren MacDonald, a #StopRosebank protester.
However, leaders in these nations continue to give in to the demands of this profit-driven business, which, if allowed to continue, would push us past crucial climate limitations. We know that no additional drilling is possible if we want a planet that is habitable.
The UK government, for instance, is debating whether to approve the gigantic Rosebank oil field, which would emit more CO2 emissions in a year than 28 of the world’s poorest nations combined.
Politicians in this small group of climate saboteurs should pay attention to the common people who are calling for immediate meaningful action, which includes halting all new fossil fuel projects. It is now.
Asia
Over 3,000 people are anticipated to participate in the Pakistan Climate March, which is being sponsored by the Hari Jedojehad Committee (Peasant’s Struggle Committee) and the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).
The march, which will take place in the southern province of Sindh, aims to draw attention to the harm and losses caused by the disastrous flooding from the previous year.
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Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) Secretary General Farooq Tariq stated, “We demand a phaseout of fossil fuels now. The climate problem is caused by the fossil fuel industry and those who support it, and they also sustain a predatory and destructive economic system that is bad for both people and the environment. We demand that industrialised nations, the major polluters, immediately fulfil their $10 billion promise to Pakistan and make good on the loss and destruction they caused.
Along with the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), the Oriang Women’s Movement, the Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA) union of agricultural workers, and the militant labour unions federation Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), APMDD is also organising a climate march in the Philippines.
More than 3,000 people are anticipated to participate in the march, which will be held in Manila close to Malacaang Palace, the president of the Philippines’ official residence and main office.
Africa
Fridays for Future Nigeria and Climate Live Nigeria will march in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, as part of the continuing Fossil Free Nigeria and a Fossil Free World Campaign in Nigeria. One hundred thousand participation are anticipated.
The national coordinator and country representative for Fridays For Future Nigeria and Climate Live Nigeria, Kingsley Odogwu, stated: “Our energy system needs a significant structural change right away. This would have previously included the transition from biomass to coal and ultimately to oil.
“The need to control climate change and decarbonize our fossil-based economy with renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, is the primary driver of today’s transformation. Every industry that produces, moves, or uses energy will be impacted.
“Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must first decrease by half by 2030 and then reach net zero by the middle of the century in order to achieve the 1.5C global warming target established following the Paris Agreement and prevent the worst climate effects. As a result, a quick shift is required, and every country should start by embracing the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty as the first step in that transformation.
Europe
In Germany alone, the public service labour unions, ForFuture organisations, NGOs, and civil society organisations have registered almost 200 climate strikes, marches, and rallies.
Ende Gelände and GreenFaith Germany have additional protests scheduled from September 22 to 24 against a new LNG facility in Rügen (Baltic Sea).
The UN Climate Secretariat’s host city, Bonn, will also host a number of climate actions on September 16 including the SDG festival, the BeFuture Festival (for constructive journalism), and through public climate artivism.
More than 400 scientists joined Scientists4Future in releasing a statement earlier this month urging German politicians to put politics aside to address the climate threat.
“We, as parents, cannot remain silent as the fossil fuel industry robs our children of a livable future,” stated Sandra Prüfer of Parents For Future Germany.
Although the futures of our children are on the line, the fossil fuel juggernaut keeps moving forward like a runaway train. We thus joined the rising clamour for states to negotiate and carry out a treaty on the non-proliferation of fossil fuels.
The first step towards a better future for all children is a transparent, worldwide strategy to phase out fossil fuels.
South America
Yasun National Park in Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth and has been designated a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO. Ecuadorians made the decision to halt oil drilling inside Yasun National Park at a public consultation in August.
The group Yasunidos, which advocated for the referendum ten years ago, is still on guard for the outcome’s implementation.
A press conference and event are being planned for September 15 by groups in order to establish a monitoring committee to ensure that the decision is followed.
“On August 20, Ecuadorians voted to keep oil in the ground in Ecuadorian Amazonia,” said Yvonne Yanez, co-founder of Acción Ecológica. The people are saying that they desire an economy without oil with this proclamation. Although this is a huge victory, we still haven’t succeeded because the government and the oil industry don’t want to follow the vote. The Yasuni movement presents us with a chance.
“A chance to seriously think about what ecojustice and a just transition actually entail and to demand that future. In order to prevent this win from being reversed, we must remain vigilant, inspired, and active. Always be furious and #FastFairForever. It is crucial to stop using fossil fuels for energy. The world can learn from Ecuador’s decision that it is possible to advance towards oil-free societies if one has the will.
The mobilisation for the March to End Fossil Fuels will take place in New York City on September 17. Following a catastrophic, record-breaking summer of high heat and climate disasters, organisations like the NAACP, Sierra Club, and Sunrise Movement have endorsed the march and its demands on President Biden to take bold action on fossil fuels.
Along with the 500 organisations sponsoring the march, other well-known figures from throughout the country are also supporting it, including Sen. Ed Markey, Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Jamaal Bowman, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson, Jane Fonda, Naomi Klein, Mark Ruffalo, and Bill McKibben. There will likely be more than 10,000 attendees from all throughout the nation.
“The hottest summer on record is galvanising people across the globe like never before to cry out for life-saving climate action,” said Jean Su, Director of Energy Justice at the Centre for Biological Diversity, Board Chair of Climate Action Network International, and co-coordinator of the NYC March to End Fossil Fuels.
Biden and other world leaders must respond to these demands by putting an end to the use of fossil fuels.
Biden has the power unlike anybody else to lead the world away from the fossil fuels harming our planet and people as the head of the largest oil and gas producer in the world and the biggest historical climate polluter.
It’s time he began utilising them to develop into the necessary climate leader.
