Hi John,
Today the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest report on the science of climate change. It makes for concerning reading.
Climate breakdown is happening faster than expected, and while it is not too late to limit planetary warming to around 1.5°C, we need very significant changes to actually start happening in the next couple of years. Read our response here.
Alok Sharma, UK government minister and president of the COP26 climate talks, has at least recognised the urgency, saying: "We can't afford to wait two years, five years, 10 years - this is the moment." Yet at the same time he defended the government approving new oil and gas extraction in British waters. That spells disaster for millions of people around the world, especially in the global south.
The truth is, even with the urgency of this report, if we leave it up to governments to act it won’t be enough. At the same time, while climate action so far has been far short of what’s necessary, significant changes have happened – and that has been down to pressure from civil society.
If you’re not yet active for climate justice, now is the time.
Here are some of the things you can do:
- Voice your concerns. Politicians of all kinds need to hear an outcry over this IPCC report. You can write to your MP, local councillors and others via www.writetothem.com. You can use our press response to the IPCC report to help, and aim to engage them in an exchange by asking what more they are now going to do. You could also get together with friends or others in your area and ask to meet your MP about the issue.
- Join our day of action: Corporate Courts vs The Climate. Fossil fuel companies are starting to react to those positive moves governments have taken by suing them for ‘lost revenue’ using the ‘corporate court’ system written into many trade and investment agreements. Join our day of action on 18 September: Order materials from us and get some ideas on our website.
- Demand action for climate justice when the UN climate talks come to Glasgow. In the UK we have a particular opportunity – and responsibility – this November as the COP26 climate talks will be held in Glasgow. Major demonstrations are planned in Glasgow and around the country on 6 November, as well as other actions and a People’s Summit for Climate Justice. Find out more on the COP26 Coalition website.
- Join a Global Justice Now local group. It’s easier, more effective and more fun to do things as a group. Check whether there is a local group near you on our local groups map. And if there isn’t we might be able to put you in touch with others in your area anyway – email us on [email protected]
When we read about climate breakdown we often hear about tipping points – when it is that the gradual increase in temperature will tip some natural process into collapse. But there’s another kind of tipping point that matters, and that’s when the number of people involved in climate justice organising starts to force the real change we need to see.
Around the world, millions of people are already taking action on climate change, but every extra person gets us nearer those tipping points for change that we need.
James O’Nions
Head of activism at Global Justice Now
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