Hi John,
It would be an understatement to say that 2020 was a difficult year. I’m happy to see the back of it, and I imagine you are too. So, as we leave it behind, I wanted this email to offer a message of hope and (dare I say it) excitement about the future.
This year, the world faced multiple crises at once: a global pandemic, economic chaos, and an ever-worsening climate crisis. But still, there are glimmers of hope. And right now, I am hopeful because we are ready to scale up our fight for a just recovery and a Green New Deal.
During 2020, people everywhere have been coming together, planning and gathering momentum. Now, we’re ready to go big — massively scaling up the movement with training, actions, events and support to local organisers everywhere.
The green and just recovery that we need is possible - but it’s going to take a lot of work and it won’t come easy.
The Green New Deal is a plan to tackle climate breakdown and build a society where all of us can live better lives. It’s a plan to rapidly cut our emissions by modernising our energy, transport, housing and food systems. It’s a plan to create millions of secure and well-paid jobs that benefit our communities and cut carbon – jobs that are desperately needed to prevent mass unemployment after the pandemic.
The Green New Deal will build thriving public services — investing and expanding our health and social care, transport and education systems. And it will tackle rampant inequality by investing first in communities that need it most. With the Green New Deal, we can stand shoulder to shoulder with people around the world fighting for a safe climate and fair chance.
Winning the Green New Deal is going to take a lot of work. But the good news is: the work has already started across the UK and Europe — and it’s only going to get bigger and stronger in 2021.
- In the UK, we’re working with climate and social justice groups to call on the government to build back better from the coronavirus crisis. And in the new year, we’re organising a training programme to build and support a diverse network of powerful youth climate voices. Together, we will build a movement that’s ready to campaign for a green new deal in every town and city across the UK.
- In Germany, we’re bringing together a powerful movement that will hold the government to account and demand a just recovery. Next year we’re planning mass trainings and creating the resources needed for a huge network of local groups to call for a green new deal.
- And in spring 2021 we’re bringing groups and movements working on Just Recovery and Green New Deal campaigns across the world together. We're planning for a huge, mass digital gathering where we will share skills and knowledge, be inspired by each other and organise to take action.
As we leave 2020 behind (finally!) and welcome in the new year, there’s hope on the horizon. We already have the solutions to recover from this pandemic and the climate crisis, and together we can build a movement powerful enough to demand them from our governments.
It won’t be easy. But I truly believe that, together, we can reject the power of fossil fuel companies and the banks and governments that fund them. And instead choose the path of a just and green recovery for everyone.
With hope and excitement for the new year,
Matilda, for the 350.org Europe team
350.org is building a global climate movement. You can connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and become a sustaining donor to keep this movement strong and growing.
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