Greetings from the United States, where within mere hours of taking office, President Donald Trump moved to begin the process of, among other multilateral atrocities, having the U.S. leave the Paris Climate Accord – again. He wants to halt and reverse the building momentum toward a global just transition away from fossil fuels, and shirk the US’s responsibility to help the world move away from extractivist energy systems.
He will fail.
Already, Washington State is pushing back against this selfish, short-sighted move, introducing a resolution calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The move attracted 31 co-sponsors, and will begin moving through the legislature later this month (please click here if you or your organization would like to endorse this push!). If successful, Washington would become the 4th U.S. state to endorse a Treaty, joining Hawaii, Maine, and California.
Speaking of California, where I’m based, a grassroots movement is growing to establish a climate superfund that would require fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. As events like the wildfires that devastated LA earlier this year begin to happen with increased frequency, more and more people are understanding that we must address the root cause of the climate crisis, and bring the era of fossil fuels to an end.
President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord does not change the fact that an overwhelming majority of countries are still a part of the agreement. His pro-fossil fuel policies designed to pay back the hundreds of millions of dollars Big Oil gave to him and his allies’ campaigns do nothing to shift the reality that safer, more sustainable sources of energy are becoming more and more common and available, and that renewables are now by far the cheapest way to generate electricity all round the globe.
And while the U.S.’s federal policies and posture may change under Trump, people in every community and at every level of government here in the U.S. are continuing to fight to phase out fossil fuels and move us toward a clean energy future. We will not give up the struggle just because the current President is indebted to the fossil fuel industry.
His rise also does nothing to change the fact that more than 16 countries and 130 sub-national governments are now closer than ever to securing a negotiation mandate for a fossil fuel treaty. While President Trump is focused on bringing the world backwards and propping up fossil fuels, the world is moving forward toward renewable, accessible, and diverse sources of energy, and a just transition – with or without the support of the U.S. federal government.
Athens, Greece has become the 18th major world capital to formally endorse the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Athens is mainland Europe's hottest metropolis—but the city is rising to the challenge posed by climate change. This endorsement—the 130th from a local government—shows the power of cities to help move the needle on climate change and fossil fuels.
This month in Davos, Tzeporah Berman, Co-Chair and Founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, led a compelling roundtable discussion at the World Economic Forum alongside global business and political leaders. As Tzeporah said, “It was a powerful conversation about ‘real zero’ and how we need to not only expand renewable energy but also stop expanding fossil fuels.”
Climate activists from ten Asian countries gathered in December in Dhulikhel, Nepal, for the first Asia Network Meeting for the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. This meeting fostered solidarity and hope for a just transition to a fossil-free future, with participants sharing stories, discussing challenges and opportunities, and celebrating recent treaty endorsements. The meeting location in Dhulikhel, Nepal, the first municipality in Asia to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty, emphasized the importance of local action in driving broader change. Attendees left with renewed purpose, ready to continue working towards a fossil-free future.
We are seeking a consultant to collaborate with our political team to manage online and in-person political meetings and design a programme of support for government officials.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is seeking a leader in legal strategy with experience in International law and treaty-making to provide maternity cover for our Legal Strategy Director.
“A fossil fuel treaty would foster multilateral cooperation around a binding agreement to end the expansion of fossil fuels, wind down existing production to levels that keeps climate change in check and work together to ensure a just transition.”
“No one country, let alone one man, can stop the global energy transition,” said Tzeporah Berman, a Canadian climate activist who is chairwoman of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. “Trump is desperately trying to hold onto the past even though the reality of our heavy dependence on fossil fuels is etched into the scorched landscape of Los Angeles. What he did yesterday will cost lives and hold Americans and the world back from protecting what we love.”
“Create awareness about the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty regularly. Be more organised in my climate action. Help people to understand the link between plastic, petrochemicals and the climate crisis. More self care. -Leanne, St George, QLD”
SOCIALS WORTH SHARING
The climate emergency is not up for debate
Amiera Sawas, Head of Research of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, shut down a climate emergency denialist on TRT World using science and lived experience.
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