People power at its best: Friends of the Earth groups around the world mobilize to demand climate justice and end to dirty energy

In an explosion of spectacular mobilizations and a frenzy of social media between 13-15 October 2017, Friends of the Earth groups across six continents demonstrated the power of the people. Be inspired as we explore some of the actions. Join us. Together we can fight the climate emergency.

 

Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific experiences some of the most devastating effects of dirty energy. Groups fight back with inspiring courage and determination.

Friends of the Earth Japan joined communities plagued by pollution around Soga power station to demand an end to coal power.

A resounding ‘No to coal!’ could be heard across Indonesia as Friends of the Earth Indonesia/ WALHI mobilized with communities affected by the mass deforestation, and damage to people and the environment caused by coal mining. This spectacular film gives a flavour of the power of protest in Indonesia.

Global Day of Action 2017 #Indonesia #ClimateJustice @FoEint @wwwfoecouk @foe_us @foeeurope @FoEAustralia @Young_FoEE @FoEint_es @FoEScot pic.twitter.com/lZaHudVIn6

— WALHI (@walhinasional) October 16, 2017

Friends of the Earth Korea/KFEM called for the door to be closed on nuclear power.

Friends of the Earth Bangladesh/BELA said a firm no to coal with this inspiring film.

No to Rampal coal power plant in #Bangladesh! #ClimateJustice not #DirtyEnergy. Mobilize this weekend: https://t.co/FR9KW4mxGa pic.twitter.com/DITUGSeujn

— Friends of the Earth (@FoEint) October 12, 2017

With a resounding cry to allow communities to lead the way not corporations, Friends of the Earth Malaysia/SAM mobilized calling for a just transition away from fossil fuels, large dams and other unsustainable economic practices and towards alternatives based on democratic and community control.

Friends of the Earth Palestine/Pengon cycled across the city of Ramallah spreading the climate justice message.

A message of hope from Friends of the Earth Australia who have proved over the last years that communities can take on dirty energy and win as they celebrate a ban on fracking in Victoria state.

Community campaign sees Victoria become first state in #Australia to ban fracking. This is #PeoplePower. Together we can fight #DirtyEnergy pic.twitter.com/A3PZ8Edc7E

— Friends of the Earth (@FoEint) October 13, 2017

In an explosion of actions across Spain, Friends of the Earth Spain/ Amigos de la Tierra brought the people together to paint murals demanding climate justice by putting renewables in the hands of the people. They also paid homage to environmental defenders who pay for the struggle daily with their lives.

Friends of the Sweden/ Jordens Vänner painted their demand for climate justice on the streets of Gothenburg:

Friends of the Earth Scotland got the people of Edinburgh pumped up as they inflated a huge warming earth globe to urge greater action from the Scottish Government on climate change.

Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland stood with one voice to #ProtectOurFutures in a call for the UK government to stop fracking in its tracks.

Activists in London stood in solidarity with Friends of the Earth South Africa/ groundWork’s fight against fracking.

Our allies stood with us too, among them Frack Free Ryedale, calling for climate justice and no to fracking.

Standing with @FoEint and @FOE_Community on international days of action for climate justice!#Act4GlobalJustice #FossilFree #ReclaimPower pic.twitter.com/ANq0GN9ZLV

— Frack Free Ryedale (@F_F_Ryedale) October 14, 2017

In a spectacular night time action Friends of the Earth Austria/Global 2000 called for 100% clean energy for Austria, ahead of the country’s next election.

Climaxi/Friends of the Earth Belgium and Wallonia/Amis de la Terre Belgium mobilized in Brussels with Friends of the Earth Europe to call for energy democracy

All were welcome at Friends of the Earth Netherlands/ Milieudefensie’s climate festival highlighting the work of the federation and the global call for climate justice.

FoE Croatia/Zelena Akcija Croatia made an amazing video about the impacts of climate change

FoE Bosnia and Herzegovina/Centar za životnu sredinu did took action in front of the Republika Srpska government building, to show what Bosnia and Herzegovina can expect in the next 30 years if the government continues to invest in fossil fuels.

Friends of the Earth Mozambique /JA! joined forces with União Provincial dos Camponeses and Livaningo to bring over 50 community members from across Mozambique together. In three days of workshops, people affected by impending gas extraction, plantations and lang-grabbing shared their experiences, heard about the work of Friends of the Earth and were inspired by stories of the fight against dirty energy from around world. Women farmers from Gaza province shared their tales of success in winning their land back from the Wanbao Chinese company.

But JA!’s actions do not stop there. This billboard on one of Maputo’s main roads will be spreading their climate justice message for two months.

Communities in Togo paused during a climate causes and solutions debate to call for climate justice across the world. Friends of the Earth Togo/ Amis de la Terre Togo is also mobilizing with communities to call for global support in their fight against offshore oil.

Friends of the Earth Cameroon/CED stood in solidarity with activists around the world as they called for climate justice for all.

Friends of the Earth Ghana supported the fight in Togo against offshore oil

Friends of the Earth South Africa/groundWork brought together climate activists from all over the country for a three day national climate change dialogue sought to highlight the plight of the surrounding communities at the receiving end of Sasol’s (one of South Africa’s biggest emitters) continued pollution – they held a picket as part of the learning group in front of Sasol’s refinery in Sasolburg.

The kick-ass activists from this year’s climate learning group! They will not give up until we have #climatejustice. Viva! pic.twitter.com/ZKg2IFdH4O

— groundWork (@groundWorkSA) October 19, 2017

For the communities near sasol, breathing is dangerous for their health – this needs to change. #ReclaimPower#climatejustice pic.twitter.com/khQu34Rr76

— groundWork (@groundWorkSA) October 18, 2017

Friends of the Earth Latin America and the Caribbean/ ATALC released a statement highlighting the importance of food sovereignty as a solution to the climate crisis.

In an amazing mobilization with youth, Friends of the Earth El Salvador/Cesta brought together 1,200 high students across the country to paint climate change-inspired murals in 41 schools.

They also took to the streets with these magnificent banners for Food Sovereignty Day:

Friends of the Earth Honduras/ Movimiento Madre Tierra highlighted the plight of environmental defenders fighting hydroelectric dams in the Lenca regions, while their powerful social media campaign explained the need for climate justice.

Friends of the Earth Paraguay/ Sobrevivencia demonstrated poignantly how a few people can make a big statement as they called for climate justice in Paraguay and around the world.

Friends of the Earth Mexico/ Otros Mundos Chiapas demanded climate justice in Latin America and for people around the world:

¡Exigimos #JusticiaClimática para #AmLat, el #Caribe y los #pueblos del mundo! https://t.co/816yIfiwnY via @atalc #soberaníaalimentaria pic.twitter.com/XEe1LvjWl6

— Otros Mundos Chiapas (@OtrosMundosChia) October 13, 2017

Friends of the Earth Haiti/Haiti Survie mobilized and reflected on climate change with farmers and young people. Watch this space for their imminent days with young community leaders focused on climate justice.

The call for climate justice was broadcast loud and clear by Real World Radio, along with Friends of the Earth Uruguay/ REDES who highlighted the importance of food sovereignty in the struggle to cool the planet.

Friends of the Earth US used the days of action to highlight their fight to save the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – including sending an e-action to many thousands of supporters and holding action training in New York City and Kansas City. The fight against Trump’s destruction of the EPA is part of the global fight for climate justice!

Youth across the federation were also out in force. There was a great turn out for Young Friends of the Earth Ireland’s showing of the film Gasland.

Young Friends of the Earth Scotland decorated the Duke of Wellington statue today to highlight illegal levels of air pollution on Glasgow streets!

In Germany, BUNDjugend activists joined forces to call for an end to coal and fossil fuel subsidies.

And last but not least, we were mobilizing as part of the Reclaim Power month of action.

All over the world, the fight against #DirtyEnergy is growing, and calls for an energy transformation are getting louder. People Power can bring change. Our hope lies in the power of a movement that fights for climate justice. Our Days of Action are a snapshot of the incredible work of activists across the globe. The fight goes on! Mobilize with us and stand up for #ClimateJustice!