Global Climate Marches

Global Climate Marches Communications Pack

Introduction Talking Points Some Key Events Template Media Advisory Materials FAQs

Introduction

As the governments of over 190 countries prepare to deliver a historic new global climate agreement in Paris this December, people around the world are preparing to mobilise to demand that world leaders deliver an ambitious deal. On the weekend before the negotiations open, people from Sao Paulo to New Delhi, from Kampala to Melbourne, and Ottawa to Tokyo will take to the streets in the tens of thousands as part of over 2000 events in more than 150 countries. Following the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, the French government has banned mobilisations there. French activists are calling for people around the world to march in their name, and in solidarity with them and others affected by terror attacks in Beirut, Baghdad, Kano and elsewhere. They will find creative ways to make their calls heard for a safer world and for an agreement that scales up the transformation of our economies towards 100% renewable energy for all, stamps out poverty, injustice and inequalities, ends the wasteful consumption of our precious resources, and provides support for those living in the face of worsening impacts. It won’t end there. As the UN climate negotiations get underway, a diverse range of civil society groups, representing communities from all over the world, will raise the pressure on negotiators and keep the fossil fuel industry in check as the official talks unfold. The agreement being struck in Paris is for the people, and our voices will not be silenced as its being formed. So when the gavel goes down and the final UN climate agreement is determined, civil society will ensure that governments understand that they must build on the Paris outcome, continually raise their ambition, and become real climate leaders - standing on the right side of history. Our work this year will pave the way for continued and more effective climate action in 2016. Talking Points On the eve of the Paris climate summit hundreds of thousands of people around the world will take to the streets in over 2000 events in 150 countries to turn up the heat on governments, demanding that they forge an ambitious new global climate agreement this December. Around the world frontline communities, unions, renewable energy champions, climate activists and a host of other groups will demand that governments deliver an agreement to help keep fossil fuels in the ground, finance a just transition to 100% renewable energy for all and protect vulnerable communities from the worst impacts. There will be solidarity concerts, rallies, solutions workshops, bike rides, movie projections, and of course huge marches, in a range of beautiful and iconic locations including Sao Paulo, Madrid, Manila, London, Melbourne, Tunis and Kampala. The diverse voices gathered will show that the climate struggle affects so many of life’s essentials, from equality and poverty, food and energy, to water, jobs, safety and human rights. Following the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, mobilisations there have been banned. French activists are calling for people around the world to march in their name and in solidarity with them and others affected by terror attacks in Beirut, Baghdad, Kano and elsewhere. They will find creative ways to make their calls heard both inside the Climate Summit and around the world. There are few better responses to violence and terror than this movement's push for peace and hope, and there couldn't be a more important time to work for climate justice and the peace it will help bring. Civil society groups are showing more determination than ever to meet the challenges facing the world with hope, not fear. The climate movement stands for a vision of cooperation that the murderers sought and failed to extinguish. With these mass mobilisations, government leaders, ministers and negotiators gathered in Paris will find it hard to avoid the irresistible momentum for change. They will feel the moral pressure to get their act together if they don’t want to end up on the wrong side of history. Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets to demand that leaders get on board for the just transition to a safer, more stable world powered by renewable energy - because it makes sense for people everywhere, for our environments, economies and societies. At the moment, governments are a step behind as frontline champions, cities, businesses and regional leaders blaze the trail. It is time for our elected leaders to step up to the challenge. A strong, diverse coalition of groups supporting climate action will be in Paris during the Climate Summit to keep pressure on governments to deliver an ambitious agreement, and to keep the fossil fuel industry in check as dirty energy companies attempt to hold back the turning tides. The fossil fuel industry spends millions of dollars everyday to lobby our governments and politicians to promote false solutions. This rogue industry is becoming increasingly desperate as renewable energy becomes more cost effective and efficient, leaving massive doubts over the future of dirty energy, such as coal. Climate experts and activists will call out those dirty energy firms who try to disrupt or distract governments from their task of delivering an ambitious, global climate agreement. Experts and activists will work towards shifting the trillions of dollars currently invested by governments in dirty energy towards solutions that can protect vulnerable communities and provide increased energy access in poor countries, lifting millions out of poverty and protecting them from the risks posed by extreme climate events and unstable societies. Coming out of Paris, the climate movement will be stronger and more diverse than ever before, ready to take the struggle for a safer world to the next level in 2016 and beyond. When the UN climate negotiations draw to a close, civil society will ensure that governments understand that they must build on the Paris outcome. They will be held accountable to their moral obligation to protect our climate and communities, and to their commitments to accelerate the transition from dirty fossil fuels to renewable energy for all. There has never been more public support for action to tackle climate change, and that support keeps growing. The future is bright as opinion polls from all around the world show overwhelming majorities are demanding solutions. Already - thanks to the climate movement's pressure - the Keystone XL pipeline has been rejected and Shell’s Arctic exploration has been halted. Civil society will build on these wins and the momentum from Paris to come back stronger next year, to tackle dirty energy like coal, and to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

Some Key Events

 In New Delhi, India and in some other cities throughout the country, a Global Climate Walk is planned, with yoga, biking, and marching in seven cities. The main activity will be in New Delhi, where on Sunday morning, people from across society will join together for the climate.  In Kampala, Uganda 500,000 people are expected to march alongside popular local leaders and celebrities. A concert will serve as the final campaign event and it will be live on the social media on the evening of the 29th November.

 In Germany, there will be a large march in Berlin for a 100% clean, renewable future and a quick phase-out of coal. There will also be other decentralised activities in other European cities including Madrid, London and Amsterdam where people are coming together for a colourful parade.

 Sâo Paulo, Brazil will see a huge gathering on Paulista Avenue where the representatives of different movements will bring their own solutions to involve people in the climate change issues. The congregation will start marching towards one of the city´s iconic parks where speeches and music will unite the participants.

 In Australia, large climate marches are being organised in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and Perth, as well as Melbourne and Sydney. While in New Zealand there will be a march in Auckland. There are also marches in the making in Wellington and Christchurch.

 Bangladeshis will be marching together in Dhaka and other places around the country on 28 November. Manila is also organising with huge support across the Philippines from catholic groups. These gatherings look to be huge, 500,000 are expected to take part in events across Bangladesh.

 The biggest march was planned for Paris but due to the recent attacks the authorities have cancelled the planned ‘La marche mondiale pour le climat’. However, the large coalition of French and international groups who were organising the march are currently seeking alternative ways for those in Paris to express their call for climate justice.

 In Paris, The Citizens Climate Summit (December 5/6) and the Action Zone Climate (December 7/11) will go forward as planned. These remain two opportunities to demonstrate that civil society is fighting and implementing the solutions to climate change, and determined to fight against the climate crisis.

 In Ottawa, Canada, citizens will march for a clean energy economy. The “100%Possible March for climate solutions and Justice” will end at Parliament Hill to create a huge human sign showing: 100%

 For more key events see here

Template Media Advisory

Name of Activity/Event in Italics WHAT: Hundreds of thousands of people around the world will take to the streets to demand ambitious climate action from governments, as more than 190 nations prepare to gather in Paris at the UN Climate Summit to forge a new global climate agreement.

People young and old, faith groups, indigenous people, trade unions, development organisations and many more will mobilise for more than 2000 events in over 150 countries for the Global Climate March on the 29th November, the day before world leaders open the negotiations. Together, we will demand that governments agree to a deal that protects vulnerable communities and scales up the just transition away from fossil fuels to a world powered by 100% renewable energy for all.

Here is what’s happening in our country: [Insert brief, one-paragraph description of your COP21 mobilisation or event and significant participants]

WHO: Spokespeople available for interviews are: [Insert full names of speakers, and other relevant persons of interest to the media and available for interview]

· NAME XXXX, TITLE/POSITION XXXX · NAME XXXX, TITLE/POSITION XXXX · NAME XXXX, TITLE/POSITION XXXX · NAME XXXX, TITLE/POSITION XXXX WHEN: [Insert date] [Insert time] WHERE: [Insert location] [Insert address]

WHY: The UN Climate Summit in Paris is an opportunity for over 190 countries to build a platform which scales up the just transition away from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy for all, and provides adequate support for those affected by climate impacts. Climate change is already harming communities all around the world and a further one hundred million people could be forced into poverty if we do not rapidly scale up climate action. We have the solutions to tackle the problem - frontline communities, cities and businesses are leading the way in harnessing the benefits of renewable energy and boosting the resilience of vulnerable communities. Now it is time for governments to listen to the people on the streets and step up.

HOW: For interviews or additional information please contact [Insert full name, telephone number, and e-mail address.] * If there is a good photo or video opportunity at your event, insert a note about it here.

Materials

 Main Website: http://globalclimatemarch.org/en/

 Page to find/sign-up to a Global March on Nov28/29: http://bit.ly/1NMngN0

Paris Climate March

This March was cancelled by authorities due to Paris attacks, but the global mobilisations will go ahead as planned. Reactions to the cancellation of the Paris march can be found below:

 CAN: http://bit.ly/2153y3E  Coalition21 (available in French, English and Spanish): http://bit.ly/1PBVYJV  350.org: http://bit.ly/1SFpmg4  Avaaz: http://bit.ly/1LoaQnq Photos There will be a central location where photos of the marches can be added and accessed. Once we have that location, we will add it. Until then, there is a Critical Information Collective database of photos of demonstrations from last year. Most images are under a Creative Commons licence - look for Protest and Resistance/Climate Justice or People's Climate March 2014

Tools and resources

 5 things anyone can do to spread the word: http://bit.ly/1PzZanC

 350.org social media toolkit (including graphics, available in 9 different languages): http://bit.ly/1MzQzk6

 Action2015 social media toolkit (including graphics, available in English, French and Spanish): http://bit.ly/1ShY2Ex

 Action 2015 media kit (available in English, French and Spanish): media FAQ’s, media advisory, press release

 100%RE placard templates: http://bit.ly/1L9S2bt

 Climate March video: http://bit.ly/1SFktU7

 Oxfam march video: http://bit.ly/1PDOGUB

 Coalition21 video1: http://bit.ly/1KK6ISU

 Coalition21 video2: http://bit.ly/1WMfis0

 Film your day of action and upload: http://connect4climate.org/competition/day4climate

Suggested Tweets

Use: #ClimateMarch #KeepItInTheGround #Go100RE #Paris2015

On the eve of the big UN summit, the climate movement is taking to the streets http://globalclimatemarch.org #climatemarch

If governments can’t or won’t lead, people will. People must. Join the Global #ClimateMarch: http://globalclimatemarch.org

How many more wake-up calls do we need? It’s time for a bold, ambitious climate deal. Join the Global #ClimateMarch: http://globalclimatemarch.org Tell world leaders we must keep fossil fuels in the ground & move to 100% renewables. Join the Global #ClimateMarch http://globalclimatemarch.org

Suggested Facebook Posts

The biggest U.N. climate conference of the decade is happening in Paris soon. The weekend before it starts, the world will stand together for a weekend of global action to send a powerful message to global governments: Keep fossil fuels in the ground and finance a just transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Add your voice and energy to the drumbeat for action.

2015 will be the hottest year on record. Renewable energy is cheaper than ever. The biggest U.N. climate conference of the decade is happening soon. Globally people are demanding a better future. Now is the time to take a stand.

On the eve of the big U.N summit in Paris, the climate movement is taking to the streets. With climate change in the global spotlight, this is our chance to make the talks work for our movement. This is our chance to set the agenda for ambition.

The stakes are high. The opportunity for change has never been brighter, the risks of inaction never darker. During the U.N. climate talks in Paris, world leaders need to hear loud and clear that the age of fossil fuels is coming to an end. It is up to us to make it happen sooner rather than later. Join the Global Climate March on November 28-29

This is our moment. The opportunity is before us. Together, as a global movement, we can make the U.N. climate talks in Paris about people and power, not polluters and politicians. Join the Global Climate March on November 28-29

Frequently Asked Questions Will COP21 in Paris go ahead? The crucial UN climate conference, which has been in planning since 2011, will go ahead with heightened security. France will host 40,000 people at the climate change conference (COP21) in Paris at the end of the month despite the coordinated attacks that killed nearly 130 people on November 13. Will the Global Climate March in Paris continue? The Paris Prefecture of Police has announced that due to the tragic events that took place on November 13, the Global Climate March planned for November 29, and the December 12 mobilisations, will not be allowed to proceed in Paris. We regret that no alternative at this stage has been found to allow our mobilisation plans to go ahead. However, we are more determined than ever to make our voices heard on climate justice and throughout both weeks. Will the marches across the world continue? The Global Climate March plans scheduled in cities other than Paris for November 28th and 29th will proceed, no matter what. More than 2,173 events are going ahead in more than 150 countries, including 57 major marches across all continents and dozens of marches across France. Our struggle for climate justice will not stop. We have a duty to stand up and continue to fight for a just and livable planet for all. We will continue to mobilise to build a world free of wars, and atrocities, and the ravages of the climate crisis. We will continue to bring solutions and alternatives to fight against climate change. While taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we believe that COP21 cannot take place without the participation or without the mobilisations of civil society in France. Thus, we will implement all our efforts to hold all the mobilisations currently planned. In consultation with the authorities, we will continue to ensure the security of all participants is guaranteed. It’s important to remember that this mobilisation will be global: hundreds of thousands of people will mobilise during the two weeks of negotiations of the COP21 and representatives from countries the world over will be present in Paris.

What about other events in Paris, like concerts, rallies and open spaces?

The Citizens Climate Summit to be held on December 5 and 6 in Montreuil (Seine Saint-Denis) and the Action Zone Climate (ZAC), to be held from December 7 to 11 at Paris-CENTQUATRE will go forward as planned. These mobilizations will be two great opportunities to demonstrate that civil society is fighting and implementing the solutions to climate change, and determined to fight against the climate crisis.

The Climate Generations Space adjacent to the formal conference centre at Le Bourget will also go head with increased security.

On December 4 and 5, the Pathway to Paris concert will go ahead. The show will feature Thom Yorke, Patti Smith, and Flea, as well as movement leaders such as Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, and Vandana Shiva.

A range of other events from bike rides, pilgrimages, faith events and trade union conferences will go ahead as planned.