Repost: Stop fuelling the fire

Posted on behalf of Chloe Brimicombe, a PhD Student at the Walker Institute

Over 2020, a group of 25 young people, aged 18 to 30 have been learning about how to run campaigns through Christian Aid’s Prophetic Activist scheme, for Climate Justice.

On the 18^th August, the group will launch the –Stop Fuelling the Fire- a campaign focused on encouraging the government to end the use of UK Export Finance in funding fossil fuel extraction overseas. UK Government funding for fossil fuel projects has increased in recent years - something the activists believe to be a hypocritical move for a government which prides itself  on being a champion   of sustainability. The campaigners plan to engage and raise awareness amongst the wider public and   various   political   stakeholders.   They   will   be   doing   this   through   various   methods   including launching a petition (see below for the link) and reaching out to MPs, with their key audience being Boris Johnson.

Climate Change, is causing an increase in extremes, for example flooding, drought and heatwaves and is at its core unjust, effecting those who are vulnerable most.

We can all be activists, by signing petitions, sending letters to MPs, or even giving a talk in a local community group this is activism. By calling for Climate Justice, we are calling for Social Justice.

Here are some quotes from some of the young activists involved:

Activist Chloe Brimicombe, a member of the campaign’s Press and Parliament Team, says ‘Climate Change is the biggest global challenge facing the world today, and those on the front line are the ones who contributed the least to global emissions. We have a duty to stand up in the face of injustice and Climate Change is no different’

And

Activist Diana Paulding, a member of the campaign’s Partners team, says ‘The UK is moving towards using more renewable energy, but by financing fossil fuel extraction in developing countries the UK is still fuelling the fire of climate change. If this continues, we will struggle to keep global warming below a 1.5C increase, as necessitated by the Paris Agreement. As the next G7 summit approaches, and the UK prepares to host the UN climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow next year, we hope that the government will honour its commitment to the Paris Agreement.’

What you can do:

Sign the petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/SFTF

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StopFuellingTheFire

Tweet: Using the Hashtag #StopFuellingTheFire (Add a fire emoji at the end)

Share with everybody you know