John,
We're all deep in planning for the global climate strikes coming up on
Friday (I've been with Greta Thunberg in DC the last couple of days, and
it is thrilling to see the excitement building). But we need to march and
to think at the same time, so I'm sending you what I think is the most
important piece I've written in a number of years, which just came out
this morning.
In essence, it's an attempt to understand how we might make rapid progress
on climate change — by pressuring not just governments but also the banks,
insurance companies, and asset managers that support the fossil fuel
industry. I was pretty shocked when I started reporting — four big
American banks lead the world's funding for coal, oil, and gas — and
they've increased lending since the Paris climate accords. It takes years
to move governments, but if these guys changed their policies, the stock
market could shift overnight.
Whether it's a question of moving banks or governments, there's one common
ingredient that's always necessary to make change: mass movements. That's
why I've included information below about the Climate Strike events
happening this Friday in your area. RSVP now to join me and millions of
others worldwide as we take to the streets side-by-side with youth
organizers.
DC Climate Strike
Friday, September 20th, 11:00 a.m.
Starting at John Marshall Park and marching to the Capitol Building
Washington, United States
DC Climate Strike
[ [link removed] ]Join this event
#ClimateStrikeHU
Friday, September 20th, 12:00 p.m.
Howard University- The Yard
Washington, United States
#ClimateStrikeHU
[ [link removed] ]Join this event
If this isn't your location or you're interested to see all the events
planned, you can check the map at [ [link removed] ]globalclimatestrike.net/usa
We've all done some of this work of moving financial institutions in the
divestment campaign (which passed the $11 trillion mark this week, and
just succeeded in getting the University of California system to divest
its $80 billion in total assets^1). But we need to start thinking about
how to expand that work to cut off the flow of money that keeps this rogue
industry alive.
In fact, it might be a good thing to talk about when you're striking on
Friday. Because we know two things: those strikes are utterly crucial, and
they won't be enough. We've always got to be pressing forward!
Forward,
Bill McKibben
P.S. [ [link removed] ]Here's the article. Read it and share it with your ideas about how
to take the big money on.
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1 - [ [link removed] ]UC investments are going fossil free. But not exactly for the
reasons you may think, Los Angeles Times
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