- Global climate justice organization 350.org announced plans for worldwide days of action – 3rd and 4th of November 2023 – demanding the urgent acceleration of the transition to a renewable-powered world.
- This announcement coincides with fossil fuel companies reporting yet another quarter of exorbitant and obscene profits amid the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and soaring energy prices.
May Boeve, Chief Executive of 350.org, emphasized the need for global unity in addressing the urgent climate crisis. Boeve stated, “Around the world, people are uniting to wrest power and resources away from reckless fossil fuel companies to propel the global renewable energy revolution forward. We stand at a pivotal moment, as the undeniable impacts of the climate crisis are ravaging our world. The window to act is short – but there is still time to create enormous positive changes.”
Boeve further highlighted the urgency of transitioning to just and sustainable energy systems. As scorching heatwaves, devastating storms, prolonged droughts, catastrophic floods, and soaring energy bills burden communities worldwide, the fossil fuel industry continues to prioritize profit over people’s lives, obstructing real climate action. Boeve asserted, “This intolerable state of affairs must change, and it must change now.”
The following topline facts illustrate the current injustice in our energy systems and potential for a positive transition to renewables that underpin the Power Up movement and upcoming days of action:
- Every dollar invested in clean energy generates nearly three times as many jobs compared to investment in fossil fuel projects.
- Just three oil giants, Exxon, Shell, Total, and Chevron collectively earned a staggering $33.2 billion in profit in the first quarter of 2023 alone. The sameamount of money couldย fully electrify an estimated 55 million rural households without energy and grid access.
- the excessive profits made by the West’s five largest oil and gas companies, totalledย $134 billion in 2022. These exorbitant profits made at the expense of ordinary households,ย underscore the urgent need for global energy justice and a transition to renewable energy.
350.org’s Global Day of Action aims to galvanize individuals and communities worldwide to demand immediate action towards a renewable-powered future.ย โBy joining forces, people can challenge the dominance of fossil fuel companies and drive the necessary changes to combat the climate crisisโ, From powering down coal to power up solar in Australia, to demanding energy access for communities affected by Petrobras in Brazil, from shaming the greed of fossil fuel companies like TOTAL in Europe and Africa.โ concluded Boeve.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal