Good jobs and a safe planet can go hand in hand. We need investment in jobs which transition to renewable energy, create an effective and coherent publicly owned transport system and insulate homes. This can reduce emissions in line with the urgent targets we need to meet, and create the good, well paid, unionised jobs needed in so many communities.
As Glasgow prepares to host the global climate ‘COP 26’ talks in late 2020 we are preparing to make sure world leaders hear all of our voices. This event aims to be a launchpad for climate justice activists, students, workers and trade unionists to come together, work for just solutions to address the climate and ecological crisis, raise awareness of the issues and prepare for action throughout 2020.
Venue: Unison Glasgow City Branch, 84 Bell Street, G1 1LQ Glasgow, United Kingdom
The UN climate negotiations have been moved at short notice from Chile to Madrid, in response to anti-government protests. Holding the talks in Europe again mean the voices of Global South activists and communities in the front line of climate change are pushed again to the margins.
The people of Chile are standing up against the linked injustices they face - neoliberal exploitation and inequality, climate-linked drought, and extractivism of natural resources including water. As mass climate demonstrations take place in Madrid and Chile, here in the UK, we commit to stand alongside frontline communities in Chile, and everywhere. In 2020 we will work across the climate justice movement and with civil society to place climate justice demands front and centre when the UN climate talks come to Glasgow in one year's time.
On Friday 6 December, there will be a solidarity vigil in London, organised by Campaign against Climate Change, the Chilean People's Assembly in London, War on Want, UKSCN, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Migrants Organise and Biofuelwatch. Speakers will include Sergio Cubillos, the President of Atacameños Peoples council in Chile, and Victor Salinas, an expert on geography, the environment and decentralisation in rural Chile.
Join us outside the Chilean embassy, 37-41 Old Queen St SW1H 9JA from 5.30pm. Bring: warm clothes, candles!
At the same time, there will also be solidarity events in Glasgow and Edinburgh, reflecting Scotland's hosting of the UN climate talks in 2020.
After the extraordinary climate strike in September, with 7 million taking part across the world on 20th and 27th September (check out UK pictures here), it's time to keep the pressure up!
There's another global school strike taking place on 29 November. This will be directly before the UN climate talks, now moved to Madrid from Chile. It will also be just before the UK general election on 12 December. This is is an important opportunity for us in the UK to stand with young people - they have called for urgent action on climate change, yet the majority of the youth strike leaders will be unable to vote in the coming election.
Across 60 UK universities, staff who are members of the UCU (University and College Union) will be striking on pensions, pay and conditions for eight work days, including 29 November. We hope to see some amazing solidarity climate action across our universities.
And in our communities and workplaces, let's carry on building a movement for climate action. Below are some organising meetings we know about.
After the extraordinary climate strike in September, with 7 million young people and workers taking part across the world (check out UK pictures here), it's time to keep the pressure up!
There's another global school strike taking place on 29 November. This will be directly before the UN climate talks, now moved to Madrid from Chile. It will also be just before the UK general election on 12 December. This is is an important opportunity for us in the UK to stand with young people - they have called for urgent action on climate change, yet the majority of the youth strike leaders will be unable to vote in the coming election.
Across 60 UK universities, staff who are members of the UCU (University and College Union) will be striking on pensions, pay and conditions for eight work days, including 29 November. We hope to see some amazing solidarity climate action across our universities.
And in our communities and workplaces, let's carry on building a movement for climate action. Below are some organising meetings we know about.
All welcome, and this is a free event, but please sign up here if you're planning to come.
Venue: University College London Engineering Building, Torrington Place, Opposite Waterstones (entrance on Malet Place), WC1E 7JE. See map below
10.00 Registration (Engineering Building Foyer)
10.30-12.15From the climate strikes to the UK hosting the UN climate negotiations in Glasgow next year, how do we build on momentum and work with allies across the climate movement? (Sir David Davies Lecture Theatre)
This session will start with a look back at 2019 including building for the Global Climate Strike. Alongside other speakers we will be joined on Skype by Asad Rehman from War on Want who will outline the plans coming together to mobilise for COP 26 in Glasgow in 2020. There will be plenty of time for discussion and sharing experiences, ideas and suggestion for campaigning in the coming months. The session will conclude with the Campaign against Climate Change AGM, including election of steering group and officers for the coming year. If you would like to stand for the steering group or officer positions see below for details of how to do this.
All welcome, and this is a free event, but please sign up here if you're planning to come.
Venue: University College London Engineering Building, Torrington Place, Opposite Waterstones (entrance on Malet Place), WC1E 7JE. See map below
10.00 Registration (Engineering Building Foyer)
10.30-12.15From the climate strikes to the UK hosting the UN climate negotiations in Glasgow next year, how do we build on momentum and work with allies across the climate movement? (Sir David Davies Lecture Theatre)
This session will start with a look back at 2019 including building for the Global Climate Strike. Alongside other speakers we will be joined on Skype by Asad Rehman from War on Want who will outline the plans coming together to mobilise for COP 26 in Glasgow in 2020. There will be plenty of time for discussion and sharing experiences, ideas and suggestion for campaigning in the coming months. The session will conclude with the Campaign against Climate Change AGM, including election of steering group and officers for the coming year. If you would like to stand for the steering group or officer positions see below for details of how to do this.
Climate Emergency: Education for the Future Conference - Saturday 12th Oct. 10am-4.30pm. Regent High School, Chalton St, London NW1 1RX, (10 minutes from Kings Cross station)
A clear demand coming from the young students climate strikers is for an education system which fits the climate emergency. One which gives young people agency in creating an education system which delivers the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to tackle the climate crisis.
This path-breaking conference organised by the NEU, UCU and NUS aims to respond to this demand. The conference will explore what kind of education system we need, the knowledge we as educators need to deliver and how we organise to get it. The conference will look at how young people and educators work together to plan and deliver this. Teachers and educators will share the good practise and initiatives that have already been taken in schools, colleges and universities in education, pedagogy and in making our educational institutional sustainable.
There is a fantastic range of workshops and excellent speakers.
There will be speakers at the permitted rally which will be 11am - 3pm on Millbank SW1P 3JA (just south of the Houses of Parliament, nearest tube station Westminster)
1pm will be the national ‘Climate Alarm’ moment - alarms for 1 minute, wherever you are
This will be followed by party leaders who will be answering the question: ‘what is your plan’
There will be a kids space with banner making (and quiet prayer space) in Victoria Palace Gardens
Migrant Justice group are hosting a Climate Justice bloc which will be at the front
People are encouraged to stay beyond 3pm to support the strikers in their demonstrations
Could you help on the day? Stewards still needed - sign up here
There will be speakers at the permitted rally which will be 11am - 3pm on Millbank SW1P 3JA (just south of the Houses of Parliament, nearest tube station Westminster)
1pm will be the national ‘Climate Alarm’ moment - alarms for 1 minute, wherever you are
This will be followed by party leaders who will be answering the question: ‘what is your plan’
There will be a kids space with banner making (and quiet prayer space) in Victoria Palace Gardens
Migrant Justice group are hosting a Climate Justice bloc which will be at the front
People are encouraged to stay beyond 3pm to support the strikers in their demonstrations
Don't forget to bring your union flags, banners and homemade union placards, so we are visible in our action and solidarity!
Trade unionists have organised several local rallies, with walk outs from work at lunchtime. Obviously all will be welcome at the central rally for whatever time you can get there. If you can, do aim to arrive in central London by 1pm-1.30pm for a great show of Trade Union support and solidarity for the Global Climate Strike and with our students.
Young people in the UK who have been striking for the climate are calling on adults to join them on Friday 20 September as part of a massive global day of action.
There's a guide here for adults wanting to get involved.
What can I do as a trade union member?
Take a motion to your union branch / local Trades Council to support the strikes (template motion). Invite a school striker to your meeting if you can.
