Nigerian activists, 49 Other Countries kick off global fight to end fossil fuels
Published By: Paul Dada
Climate activists in Nigeria and 49 other countries worldwide are mobilising in more than 150 events, calling on their governments to urgently implement a fast, fair and funded phase-out of fossil fuels to prevent further climate catastrophe.
Nigeria and Kenya lead the pack in Africa with each country hosting more than 10 actions.
Overall, more than 70 events are planned in 20 African countries, ranging from rallies to theatrical performances.
Ogunlade Olamide, Senior Program Manager at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), said: ‘’It is worrying that climate finance is being reduced to charity and business by entities responsible for the crises when coping capacities of impacted frontline communities are almost exhausted.
“We demand that this parasitic system must STOP, Its people over profit and not the opposite’’
The rallies kick off a global week of action ahead of Climate Week NYC (September 22-29) when world leaders assemble for the UN General Assembly and the first UN Summit of the Future where they will agree on a Pact for the Future. Drafts of the pact have already seen a commitment to transition away from fossil fuels come and go – although it has been reinstated in the latest version.
In Asia, more than 70 coordinated demonstrations are taking place in 62 cities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, with many targeting coal-fired power plants in protest against the alarming expansion of new coal projects in the region.
To be compliant with the goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the transition out of oil, gas and coal must be done at a pace and scale required to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
However, many Global North countries are going in the opposite direction. They continue their fossil fuel expansion provide billions in fossil fuel subsidies, and even prop up fossil fuel expansion in the Global South with public and private investments.
The Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels and the #PayUp Climate Finance Campaign are joining forces this September 13 to 20 to hold the Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and a Fossil-Free Future! The Global Week of Action includes a series of online and offline mobilisations starting with the #EndFossilFuels Action on September 13 and concluding with the #PayUp for Climate Finance Action on September 20.
A website for the Global Week of Action includes the latest details of events with maps showing where protest actions are taking place on September 13 (End Fossil Fuels) and 20 (Pay Up for Climate Finance): https://payupandphaseout.org
