Why we need to stand as one globally to combat climate change

The statement by Friends of the Earth International characterizes the current climate situation as a 'planetary emergency' and criticizes the Paris Agreement for lacking legal enforcement and science-based cuts. It calls for the immediate end of fossil fuels—noting that over 1600 new coal plants are planned in 62 countries—and warns against 'false solutions' such as nuclear power and large-scale hydroelectric projects. The document advocates for a just transition where developed countries, whose 10% population is responsible for 50% of emissions, lead deep cuts and fund sustainable development in the global South. It promotes decentralized, people-centered community energy, agroecology, and community forest management as the only viable future.

• The Paris Agreement is described as insufficient and dangerous because it allows for three to four degrees of warming and lacks legal enforcement, science-based emissions cuts, and financial solutions, potentially misleading the public into believing world leaders have solved the crisis.
• The fossil fuel industry continues to expand despite the climate emergency, with over 1600 new coal plants planned or under development across 62 countries.
• Certain non-fossil fuel energy sources are categorized as 'dirty energy' due to their environmental and social impacts: nuclear power is cited as dangerous and expensive, while large-scale hydro projects are linked to land grabbing, the undermining of food sovereignty, and the emission of approximately one billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually from rotting vegetation in dam waters.
• There is a significant disparity in climate responsibility, where 10% of the global population is responsible for 50% of emissions, while the poorest 50% are responsible for only 10%, necessitating that rich nations make the deepest cuts and fund the global South.

APA

admin (2017). Why we need to stand as one globally to combat climate change. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/why-we-need-to-stand-as-one-globally-to-combat-climate-change/

Chicago

admin. Why we need to stand as one globally to combat climate change. Friends of the Earth International, 2017. https://www.foei.org/why-we-need-to-stand-as-one-globally-to-combat-climate-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=admin |title=Why we need to stand as one globally to combat climate change |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=4 October 2017 |url=https://www.foei.org/why-we-need-to-stand-as-one-globally-to-combat-climate-change/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{admin2017why, author = {admin}, title = {{Why we need to stand as one globally to combat climate change}}, publisher = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2017}, month = oct, url = {https://www.foei.org/why-we-need-to-stand-as-one-globally-to-combat-climate-change/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }