From 11-13 June leaders of the G7 countries are meeting in Cornwall. We expect self congratulatory press releases about their agreements on climate, Covid and finance. But the truth is there can be no ‘global leadership’ without real action to redress the global imbalance of money and power that underlies the interlinked crises of climate, Covid, poverty and war:
Ending 'vaccine apartheid' by lifting patent control on vaccines (wealthy nations, including the UK are blocking this) and scaling up production.
A just transition away from fossil fuels, ending all fossil fuel development and financing
Cancelling the debt crippling the poorest nations
Delivering on promises of climate finance: 12 years ago, $100bn a year was promised by richer nations to enable the Global South cope with climate impacts and develop sustainably. This represents 0.3% of the GDP of the G7 nations alone. It was never delivered.
Decisions taken at G7 will set the agenda for COP26 – the crucial climate summit in November. As host, Boris Johnson’s government should be leading the way, but the UK is way off track to meet its climate targets, while UK international aid has been shamefully cut.
The Covid pandemic has intensified calls for a global Green New Deal - an urgent transformation of the global economy with massive investment to tackle climate change and address inequality. But what does a just transition look like for oil workers facing immediate redundancies because of low oil prices and privatisation? And with much wider unemployment expected, how do we take the initiative to create momentum for climate jobs on a local level, creating solutions rooted in communities and a real alternative?
This workshop draws on recent research with offshore oil and gas workers in Scotland. While many are looking for better job security, they are not being given a clear path to transfer their skills to renewable energy. The oil industry in Brazil also faces insecurity due to privatisation. Meanwhile, campaigns for free public transport in Glasgow and for a mass home retrofitting programme in Leeds are challenging the piecemeal approach taken by national government and calling for investment that meets the needs of local communities and creates climate jobs ‘from the ground up’. Workshop participants are invited to bring their experiences of mobilising for a just transition and climate jobs in their own sector / community.
Speakers: Antony Devalle, Sindipetro-RJ, Brazil, Gabi Jeliazkov, Platform, Stuart Graham, Free Our City, Ellen Robottom, Leeds TUC. Facilitator: Suzanne Jeffery, Campaign against Climate Change
The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) will be the most important official climate change event since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. Up to 200 heads of government from around the world as well as up to 30,000 delegates, including climate experts, business leaders and citizens, will meet to draw up a new climate change strategy.
The Campaign against Climate Change AGM will be held on Sunday 18th October 10.30-12.00
In the meeting we'll be sharing updates on how local campaigns have been working for a real green recovery and on the journey towards COP26 in 2021. Linked to this, we'll also be looking at another issue: the rhetoric of net zero being used as a cover for continuing fossil fuel use and business as usual.
As it's our AGM, we'll be electing the campaign's steering group and officers (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary). If you would like to stand, you'll need to send your name, with the names of your proposer and seconder (who should also be campaign members) to info@campaigncc.org by 15th October. Do feel free to get in touch to find out more about our steering group if you are interested in standing
It is also possible to submit motions by 15th October. These should be brief and also need the names of members proposing and seconding. Again if you have any questions about this process email info@campaigncc.org.
Although the meeting is open to all, only members can vote at the AGM. You can become a member of the Campaign against Climate Change for just a small minimum donation - £5 waged or £2 unwaged for the year. However, most of our members choose to set up a monthly donation of a few pounds (or more), which is the financial support on which we rely to fund our work. Join here
Sign up here to receive the Zoom link for the meeting.
While countries grapple with public health and economic crises, the climate crisis still continues. We have seen governments suddenly find the financial and political resources to bail out sectors of the economy. We have seen public demand for a 'green recovery' - a transformation that can tackle unemployment, inequality, and leave a liveable planet for future generations. But our politicians are focused on bailouts for polluters and crony capitalism. As the UK is placed centre stage in the run up to the crucial UN climate summit in November 2021, UK trade unions need to mobilise for real climate leadership, demanding investment in climate jobs and a low-carbon economy that centres social justice.
Jane Loftus, President, CWU
Dorothy Guerrero, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Global Justice Now
Stuart Graham, SWS Vice Convener for Unison Glasgow City
Charlotte Lastoweckyi, UK Student Climate Network
Chair: Suzanne Jeffery, Campaign against Climate Change trade union group
Decisions are being made right now that will determine whether we can recover from coronavirus and put the country on the path to a greener, fairer society, or prop up the same broken system.
So the Climate Coalition, an alliance of over 130 UK charites and campaign groups, is organising another lobby of MPs, on Tuesday 30th June - but this one will be virtual! To convey some of the energy and determination for climate justice of the young people pictured above, we'll need to get as many people signed up as possible, at this crucial time for our planet.
These are difficult times for many workers as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts lives and livelihoods. Many of us have seen changes to our workplaces and our daily routines and are facing a convergence of crises – a pandemic with no known end date, the devastation of inequality and climate devastation with extreme weather events and changing seasons.
We know that the health, social and economic consequences of Covid-19 will require new levels of care, of social protection and of economic stimulus in all countries. It will take a new social contract. We’re in a race against time to control the pandemic, which knows no borders. And we’re in a race against time to respond to climate change, which left unchecked threatens everyone and will leave whole regions uninhabitable. Extreme weather events with lasting devastation are already destroying jobs and livelihoods.
As well as ambitious government action including Just Transition measures to protect workers, their families and their communities, every employer must have a plan for climate- and employment-proofing their operations, and Just Transition measures must be at the heart of such plans. Workers and their unions must be part of the dialogue that shapes our future to ensure that the Just Transition measures agreed are adequate to build people’s trust in a process that they understand is urgent.
In searching for solutions to the crises we face - health, economic, climate breakdown, inequality and racism - we can learn a lot from looking to movements in the US led by working-class communities of colour. On a 14 week tour of North America in 2018, Reel News documented many local struggles against pollution, racism, corruption and the prison industrial complex. These inspiring movements show ordinary people coming together to stand against fossil fuel corporations, to organise mutual aid for recovery after climate disasters, and to move towards a 'just transformation' and a sustainable future.
This video includes 15 minute versions of the American Climate Rebels videos "Hurricane Harvey: Just Recovery in Texas" and "Just Transition in Richmond, California", as well as five inspiring speakers:
Alycia Miles and Ben Hirsch from West Street Recovery, Houston, who helped communities recover and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey - a climate disaster where the official response exacerbated existing racial and wealth inequalities.
Hilton Kelley and Michelle Smith from Community In-Power and Development Association, Port Arthur, Texas - a city where the damaging impacts of the hurricane came on top of exisiting health risks from toxins from oil refineries.
Ratha Lai from Richmond, California, where the local community rebelled against Chevron - the oil company with a political influence over the city which was as toxic as their pollution of the air causing many serious health problems.
You can see all 11 episodes of 'American Climate Rebels' on the Reel News website
In searching for solutions to the crises we face - health, economic, climate breakdown, inequality and racism - we can learn a lot from looking to movements in the US led by working-class communities of colour. On a 14 week tour of North America in 2018, Reel News documented many local struggles against pollution, racism, corruption and the prison industrial complex. These inspiring movements show ordinary people coming together to stand against fossil fuel corporations, to organise mutual aid for recovery after climate disasters, and to move towards a 'just transformation' and a sustainable future.
This video includes 15 minute versions of the American Climate Rebels videos "Hurricane Harvey: Just Recovery in Texas" and "Just Transition in Richmond, California", as well as five inspiring speakers:
Alycia Miles and Ben Hirsch from West Street Recovery, Houston, who helped communities recover and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey - a climate disaster where the official response exacerbated existing racial and wealth inequalities.
Hilton Kelley and Michelle Smith from Community In-Power and Development Association, Port Arthur, Texas - a city where the damaging impacts of the hurricane came on top of exisiting health risks from toxins from oil refineries.
Ratha Lai from Richmond, California, where the local community rebelled against Chevron - the oil company with a political influence over the city which was as toxic as their pollution of the air causing many serious health problems.
You can see all 11 episodes of 'American Climate Rebels' on the Reel News website
