It’s
time to bridge the divide between the peace movement and the climate action
movement. For far too long, our groups have been working on one or the other of
these issues, but now is the time to acknowledge the ways in which these issues
are linked and the need for people throughout the world to take action to end
both war and climate change!
Oil is the critical link between war
and climate change.
There
would have been no invasion of Iraq if that country’s main export were
broccoli. It was the US addiction to oil that drove our country into the Iraq
war and will fuel future resource wars, unless the US ends its addiction.
Additionally, the US military is the largest single consumer of petroleum in
the country, so as the military grows, so does our addiction to fossil fuels.
Oil
is also the main cause of climate change. Our addiction to
greenhouse-gas-emitting oil is melting the Arctic and Greenland before our
eyes, destroying Indigenous cultures and peoples. It is disappearing small
island nations as sea levels rise, and it’s creating extreme climate events and
super storms like Hurricane Katrina around the world. In fact, as the situation
gets even worse, as people run out of water and eco-systems wither, climate
change is an emerging global security threat that could make current wars pale
by comparison.
Meanwhile,
who suffers from war and climate change? In both cases, it is the poorest
people, people of color and people from the Global South, who suffer the most,
and it is oil companies, Halliburton and other corporate pillagers who reap the
profits.
To
end future oil wars and stop the impending climate crisis, we need to take
dramatic steps to end the US addiction to oil and other fossil fuels. What if we
shifted the billions of dollars being spent every month on war and destruction
in
Join Us in Action – Here’s What You Can
Do!
The
Iraq war and the threat of climate change are the twin global threats that
millions of Americans said they wanted immediate action on after the U.S.
mid-term election. But as Iraq continues to devolve into violence and chaos,
and as we hit another year of record warm temperatures, our legislators are
failing to respond to the will of the people. We want a safe and healthy planet
for years and years to come. Please join us in a series of actions in 2007 to
fight climate change, not wars for oil! Here’s what you can do:
*Protest War AND Climate Change on the
4-Year Anniversary of the Iraq War
Hund
*Step It Up on April 14, the Nationwide
Protest Against Climate Change
On
April 14th, tens of thousands of Americans will gather all across the country
at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. The demand:
Step it up Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050. We urge peace groups to join this
day of protest. Send the message Fight Climate Change, Not Wars for Oil by
protesting at a local gas station or other site. List your protest at http://www.stepitup2007.org/
*Join us for a joint “NO WAR, NO
WARMING” national mobilization this fall!
As
Congress goes back into session this fall, let’s bring together the peace and
environmental movements to demand that our Representatives take immediate
action to end the Iraq War AND stop climate change, by ending the US addiction
to oil. Get involved in the planning NOW. Email
andrea@globalexchange.org
to find out
how to get involved.
More
information coming soon at
http://www.NoWarNoWarming.org
ENDORSING
ORGANIZATIONS
Canadian
Youth Climate Coalition
Climate
Crisis Coalition
CODEPINK
Democracy
Rising
Energy
Action International
Farms
Not Arms
Global
Exchange
Green House Network
Hip
Hop Caucus
Independent
Progressive Politics Network
Liberty
Tree Foundation
Madre
Oil
Change International
Organic
Consumers Association
Pax
Progressive
Democrats of America
Project
South
Rainforest
Action Network
Sierra
Youth Coalition
Southern
Alliance for Clean Energy
Southern
Energy Network
Voters
for Peace
Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom
