Dear John,

Next Monday, the UN climate summit begins. The world’s leaders will meet in the Amazon rainforest to make decisions that will shape all of our futures – and the future of the planet.

As I said in my email to you last month, the truth is stark: we’re hurtling towards unliveable temperatures – the UN head’s just said we’ll breach the 1.5°C target. [1] Ecosystems are collapsing. Hurricane Melissa has just run a deadly path across the Atlantic, adding to the almost-daily list of record storms, wildfires and heatwaves around the globe.

Bills are soaring, homes are being wrecked – and what we do now will decide whether someone, somewhere, lives or dies.  

Friends of the Earth will be at the UN summit. We need to be. Decisions this big shouldn’t be made without a voice for the millions of people who are already trying to cope with climate breakdown. That includes you and me.

I’ll keep it short: we can’t speak up for ordinary people without your help. We rely on monthly gifts to do what we do – speaking truth to power and putting forward solutions that protect people and planet. With you, we’re making a future we can all live in.

Will you set up a monthly gift today to help us speak up – for you and for the earth – at the UN climate talks?

If you’d like a reminder of why these climate negotiations matter so much, read on below to see why we must act – and how.

With hope,

Asad Rehman

Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth

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On 10 November, governments will gather in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil for the UN climate talks. Decisions on your, my and the planet’s future will be made.

The truth is stark. The climate crisis is here. As we hurtle towards unliveable temperatures, ecosystems are collapsing. Floods, storms, droughts, wildfires and record heatwaves are destroying lives and livelihoods. Soaring bills, wrecked homes, dangerous weather. Millions are being pushed to the edge. And some, devastatingly, over it.

What we do now will be the difference between someone, somewhere, living or dying.

I know it’s a lot to take in. I’m overwhelmed too, sometimes. But that’s why it’s critical Friends of the Earth is at the talks.

We’re the eyes, ears and voice for communities shut out of negotiations, our ravaged planet and you, our loyal supporters.

It’s vital that we speak out, loud and clear. But without your support we won’t have a voice.

Will you help us help us face down the fossil fuel lobby at the UN climate talks? Set up a monthly gift to power up our fight for a fairer and greener future.

You and I aren’t responsible for this crisis. It’s the greed of global oil and gas giants and the super-rich. They profit from climate destruction while the rest of us suffer. And it’s the fault of the governments that delay, distract and divide us.

Together, we can start taking power back. We’ll provide policy expertise to some of the poorest countries in the world in their negotiations. As part of Friends of the Earth International, we’ll hold debates and discussions to build support for our demands. We’re pushing for a global agreement on how we’re going to build a greener and fairer future. One that leaves no one behind.

Here in the UK, we’re demanding the government puts people, planet and justice at the heart of its own negotiations: keeping promises to protect forests and taxing polluters and the super-rich to finance the future.

And with your help, we'll be taking to the streets in cities around the UK as part of a global day of action to demand climate justice and build a powerful movement for generations to come.

We’re weaving together a movement so powerful, it can’t be ignored. Will you say yes to people power with a gift today?

Supporters like you have helped us secure landmark wins at previous climate talks. Friends of the Earth was central to creating the "loss and damage fund". Wealthy nations, typically the largest polluters historically, must now provide funding for vulnerable countries to help them deal with the impacts of climate breakdown.

There’s no one else doing what we do. We influence policy and decision-making while building a grassroots movement that has an impact from local to national to global levels. You can trust us to make your voice heard in Brazil loud and clear – protect lives, save the planet, build a fairer future.

We think that’s worth fighting for. And we hope you'll choose to support us today.

With hope,

Asad Rehman

Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth

PS Don’t worry if you can’t donate today – you're already making a difference. I’ll be keeping you updated with how the climate talks are going once they kick off so keep an eye on your inbox.

NOTES

[1] ‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head: The Guardian