We’re in the midst of a crisis. Our economic system, the relentless burning of fossil fuels and extraction of resources has pushed us to the brink of irreversible disaster. The scientific warnings could not be clearer and the evidence of these impacts is unfolding around the world, disproportionately affecting those that have contributed least to the crisis. As the government continues to fail to take action, wildfires, droughts, severe flooding, tropical storms and cyclones are devastating communities with increasing severity.
The pursuit of growth at all costs and continuous profit-seeking has had little regard for the majority of people or nature, nor the land, water or air we all rely upon. Those who have historically done least to cause the climate crisis, remain on the frontline of its impacts and continue to suffer first and worst.
Climate breakdown and the destruction of the natural world is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. Such a challenge requires a solution equally great to meet it head on. To emerge from the climate crisis requires bold thinking that moves beyond what has been previously thought possible and into what is necessary.
We’re at a critical point in human history. We require concerted, organised and mass action immediately. Collectively we must force our elected representatives and those in positions of power to act with the urgency and ambition to implement the solutions to the climate crisis and social and economic injustices. We must take to the streets to show the power and passion of our movement.
Our solutions must be grounded in climate justice. Our solutions must reshape our world and reorient our economies and societies along environmental and social principles.
We demand justice, equity, clean air, water, land and a future. We demand a rapid elimination of emissions as soon as possible, in a way that’s fair for all. We want a Green New Deal. We want to see our views and voices heard in the halls of power, we want action now!
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We must create a better world, and we believe if we work together, it is possible.
The youth strike movement is calling for everyone, young and old, to stand in solidarity and mobilise alongside them for the Global Climate Strike and the fight against injustice. On the 20th September, we will take to the streets in hundreds of towns and cities across the UK to demand the change we need.
We stand alongside the UK Student Climate Network. See you on the streets.
Signed by (A-Z):
10:10
350.org
38 Degrees
Amnesty UK
Avaaz
A Rocha UK
Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union
BankTrack
Biofuelwatch
Black Lives Matter UK
Buglife
Campaign against Climate Change
Christian Aid
Christian Climate Network
CLASS – Centre for Labour and Social Studies
Common Wealth
CommonWeal
Divest Hackney
Earth Strike UK
Extinction Rebellion UK
Extinction Rebellion Youth
Fauna & Flora International
Feedback Global
Find Your Feet
Fossil Free London (Divest London),
Fossil Free Newham
Frack Free Greater Manchester
Fridays for Future Manchester
Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Fuel Poverty Action
Global Action Plan
Global Justice Now
Global Witness
Green Anti-Capitalist Front
Green Christian
Green New Deal Group
Green New Deal UK
Greenpeace UK
Health Poverty Action
IPPR
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
Labour for a Green New Deal
Landworkers Alliance
Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners
London Cycling Campaign
LSE Divest
Manchester HE Climate Strikers
Manchester Trades Union Council
Marine Conservation Society
National Pensioners Convention
NEON
New Economics Foundation
No 3rd Runway Coalition
NUS (National Union of Students)
Operation Noah
Parents 4 the Future
People & Planet
People’s Health Movement UK
Project Everyone
Reclaim the Power
RSPB
Rewilding Britain
SolarAid
Solarcentury
Stamp Out Poverty
Sum of Us
Tearfund
The 4 Day Week Campaign
The Climate Coalition
The Climate Crisis Foundation
The Equality Trust
The New Weather Institute
The Mix
The Social Change Agency
Quakers in Britain
UCU – University and College Union
Unlock Democracy
UK Student Climate Network
UK Youth Climate Coalition
Wildlife Trusts
Woodcraft Folk
Wretched of the Earth
