This week, the global climate justice organization 350.org announced plans for worldwide days of action – 3rd and 4th of November 2023 – demanding the urgent acceleration of the transition to a renewable-powered world.

This announcement coincides with fossil fuel companies reporting yet another quarter of exorbitant and obscene profits amid the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and soaring energy prices.

May Boeve, Chief Executive of 350.org, emphasized the need for global unity in addressing the urgent climate crisis. Boeve stated, “Around the world, people are uniting to wrest power and resources away from reckless fossil fuel companies to propel the global renewable energy revolution forward. We stand at a pivotal moment, as the undeniable impacts of the climate crisis are ravaging our world. The window to act is short – but there is still time to create enormous positive changes.”

Boeve further highlighted the urgency of transitioning to just and sustainable energy systems. As scorching heatwaves, devastating storms, prolonged droughts, catastrophic floods, and soaring energy bills burden communities worldwide, the fossil fuel industry continues to prioritize profit over people’s lives, obstructing real climate action. Boeve asserted, “This intolerable state of affairs must change, and it must change now.”

The following topline facts illustrate the current injustice in our energy systems and potential for a positive transition to renewables that underpin the Power Up movement and upcoming days of action:

  • Every dollar invested in clean energy generates nearly three times as many jobs compared to investment in fossil fuel projects.
  • Just four oil giants, Exxon, Shell, Total, and Chevron collectively earned a staggering $33.2 billion in profit in the first quarter of 2023 alone. The same amount of money could fully electrify an estimated 55 million rural households without energy and grid access.
  • The excessive profits made by the West’s five largest oil and gas companies, totalled $134 billion in 2022. These exorbitant profits made at the expense of ordinary households, underscore the urgent need for global energy justice and a transition to renewable energy.

350.org’s Global Day of Action aims to galvanize individuals and communities worldwide to demand immediate action towards a renewable-powered future. “By joining forces, people can challenge the dominance of fossil fuel companies and drive the necessary changes to combat the climate crisis”, From powering down coal to power up solar in Australia, to demanding energy access for communities affected by Petrobras in Brazil, from shaming the greed of fossil fuel companies like TOTAL in Europe and Africa.” concluded Boeve.

Norly Mercado, Asia Regional Director at 350.org said: “The obscene profits announced today are a mockery, not only of the millions that suffer at the hands of the fossil fuel industry, but of the 150 million people in Asia who lack energy access to begin with. We deserve a better world than the one that fossil fuel CEOs have burdened us with. Decentralized renewable energy, founded on justice and equity, is the least costly way to provide energy to those who need it most. Communities across Asia have the solutions to the energy and climate crisis. From solar energy projects in the Philippines to the Just Energy Transition Partnership in Indonesia, Asia’s future will be powered by the people and their demand for accessible renewable energy.”

##

Notes for Editor

350.org is an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-centred renewable energy for all. We are calling for a deeper transition, one which places energy justice at the beating heart of its values. We are moving forward into the world we want to see, leaving no one behind. And we are doing this with the urgency the climate crisis demands of us.

350.org has previously organised global mobilisations including Rise for Climate, Peoples Climate March, Global Work Party, Break Free as well as several ongoing global and regional campaigns. 350.org has also co-organised many other international days action including the 2019 Climate Strikes.