Last week was HUGE, John. Here's what happened, and how we responded:

A senior ExxonMobil lobbyist was caught on tape describing how Exxon uses their power and influence to actively block U.S. climate legislation. In response, our movement sent thousands of messages calling on members of Congress to take the #NeverExxon pledge.
A draft of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was leaked to the press, warning us that the climate crisis is getting a lot worse, a lot sooner than expected. Many of you chipped in to help us raise over $20,000 to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

We're amazed, John. Thank you so much for being in this fight with us.

But this is no time to slow down. Over the weekend, the Gulf of Mexico was literally on fire due to a leaking oil pipeline.¹ And despite Exxon's public apology and denial of their lobbyist's claims,² they won’t stop because of a little bit of bad publicity.

John, we are hoping for a LOT of donations today so we can send a clear message to the entire fossil fuel industry about the strength of our climate movement:

Will you chip in to help us fight the powerful interests that fund the climate crisis, hold politicians accountable for their inaction, and demand climate action NOW?

Here's the hard truth: Big Oil won't let bad publicity, ocean fires, or more severe and frequent climate disasters stop them. But we're not stopping either — not until we've defeated the fossil fuel industry that is influencing our politicians, setting our oceans ablaze, purposefully undermining climate science, and risking our futures. Are you with us?

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In solidarity,

- Team 350

P.S. If you missed it last week, and if you have a few minutes, please read 350.org Executive Director May Boeve's email below. It's really important.

1 - Reuters
2 - The New York Times

A draft of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was leaked to the press, John.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it — this leaked report paints a bleak picture for the future of our climate:

The draft report warns of tipping points beyond which global temperatures will lead to cascading and irreversible climate impacts. More importantly, it warns that we're likely to reach these tipping points much sooner than originally expected, causing even more extreme weather patterns, unlivable heat, widespread disease, ecosystem collapse... the list goes on.

I have some reflections I really want to share with you. But since this crisis is so very urgent, even more so than scientists previously thought, I first have to ask:

Can you please make a $3.50 contribution — or any amount you can afford — to support our work to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis? We will use your contribution to defeat the fossil fuel industry so we can maintain a livable climate, before it's too late.

CONTRIBUTE

The last thing I want, John, is for you to read this email and come away from it feeling hopeless or discouraged. So if you have a few more minutes, I'd love to share my main takeaways from this report with you. I'll be saving the best one for last. Here it goes:

First of all, the thought of even more extreme weather patterns is, quite frankly, terrifying. Last week, my colleague Brett emailed you about his horrific experiences during the record wildfire season in Colorado last year, and this year is projected to be even worse. Folks in the Pacific Northwest are currently suffering through a once-in-a-millennium heat dome without air conditioning, because most houses in the region were built during a time when excessive heat wasn't much of a concern.

And they are not alone — all over the world, people are facing the disastrous effects of the climate crisis. Climate change is, contrary to popular ways of framing it, not just a problem we have to solve for future generations' sake. We are seeing its effects now, and we must demand immediate and bold climate action.

My second takeaway after reading the IPCC's leaked draft report is that the climate crisis, along with its detrimental effects and its impending tipping points, is not a tragedy; The climate crisis is a crime. Big Oil has known for decades — yes, decades! — what their pollution would do to people and the planet, and their only response has been to lie and block climate action at every turn. And it's still happening: yesterday, explosive footage showed a senior ExxonMobil lobbyist on tape describing how the corporation blocks climate action in Congress, affirming the fossil fuel company is using its power and influence to block U.S. climate legislation.

Meanwhile, our governments and politicians are letting it happen, while posting messages of concern on social media and encouraging us to "stay cool". This is not some unfortunate and uncontrollable event — the fossil fuel industry is actively committing crimes against our communities and our planet. And we must stop it.

Lastly (and this is the best part), some good news: We can address the worst impacts of climate change within our lifetime, and we already know how to do it. All we need to do is keep fossil fuels in the ground, and drastically reduce our emissions.

Will you chip in $3.50 to help us fight the powerful interests that fund the climate crisis, hold politicians accountable for their inaction, and demand climate action before it's too late?

I know things look dire, John, but I'll be honest with you: I'm glad the IPCC report was leaked. I'm glad it spells out what awaits us if we continue to do nothing. Because the "if" is the key to it all — we have a choice.

So let's use this moment to demand action.

Let's use this moment to maintain a livable climate.

Let's use this moment to achieve climate justice for all.

It's quite literally now or never. Are you with me?

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Onwards,

May Boeve
Executive Director
350.org