DivestUK says "gofossilfree.org" (7/11/15)

Letter from Laurie David, Founder of “The Stop Global Warming Virtual March”

Dear Fellow Marcher (July 30, 2015):

Ten years ago, I had an idea to build a large grassroots movement demanding solutions to global warming. With the help of friends and mentors including NRDC founder John Adams, former NRDC president Frances Bienecke, Senator John McCain, and Robert Kennedy Jr., a giant march on Washington to stop global warming was born, but on the internet instead of on the streets, combining our voices into one loud, clear cry for action.

The Stop Global Warming Virtual March has had three basic goals: to get Americans to admit that global warming is real; to acknowledge that we are causing it; and to demand meaningful solutions from our government and business community. We have been driven by a belief that the issue of climate change is not political, it is moral, and by a faith that large numbers of people acting together can change the world.

We have fulfilled our mission to help raise awareness, but it is clear there is more work to be done to put the country on a path towards a renewable energy future. Work that requires new tactics, and a new partner on the front lines of the next phase of this fight.

I am pleased to announce that StopGlobalWarming.org will be joining forces with 350.org, who will be taking the lead to continue our work.

The 350.org, co-founded by author Bill McKibben, is working to build a global movement to take on the climate crisis. Their online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are coordinated by a global network active in over 188 countries.

You might know 350.org from their campaign to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and their work to divest public institutions everywhere from fossil fuels. All of 350.org‘s work leverages people power to dismantle the influence and infrastructure of the fossil fuel industry, and to develop people-centric solutions to climate change. New tactics for a new day.

I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed to our efforts from the beginning, all of the friends, co-workers, featured marchers, and partner organizations, especially Tides. But most of all I am thankful for you.

We started StopGlobalWarming.org with the idea to use the power of the internet to build a coalition, but the true power of our movement is you, individuals who recognize that we are all contributors to global warming and we all need to be part of the solution.

Thank you. Keep marching, Laurie David, Founder of StopGlobalWarming.org

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Fossil Fuel Divestment: Building the Movement Around the World

>>> Update article from gofossilfree.org & 350.org, July 11, 2015

On Saturday 11th July, over 250 divestment activists came together in London for ‘Fossil Fuel Divestment: Building the Movement’, sharing their campaigning skills, inspiring stories from across the country, and the occasional cup of tea.

Really great images emerging from the big meeting in London today! You guys are leading the world!   — Bill McKibben, July 11, 2015

The event was organised by 350.org in partnership with The Guardian and hosted speakers from Carbon Tracker, BP or not BP, Divest London, ShareAction and Community Reinvest and many others.

If you had a company with a warehouse where 2/3 of the stuff inside couldn’t be sold, would you invest in it?   — Sam Gill, July 11, 2015

The day opened with an introduction to the divestment movement so far – featuring talks from activists involved in local government, university and faith campaigns, as well as The Guardian discussing their “keep it in the ground” campaign. In the afternoon, 15 workshops explored divestment in detail – from finance to creative action planning to media training. A colour-coded sticker system (don’t ask!) and plenty of refreshment breaks allowed campaigners to find each other and have the conversations vital to building our movement!

“I’ve seen the apartheid movement, this is much bigger” – Keith (member from the audience) — divestlondon, July 11, 2015

Missed the event? No fear! We have collated all of the resources from the day so they are publicly available.

See also:  www.FrackCheckWV.net