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

A 2017 statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a global, grassroots-led energy revolution to replace 'dirty energy'—including fossil fuels, nuclear, and large-scale hydro—with decentralized, community-centered energy systems to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

• The author characterizes the current climate situation as a "planetary emergency," noting that the Paris Agreement allows for three to four degrees of warming, while devastating natural disasters occurred in 2017 with only one degree of warming. The document asserts that some calculations indicate there are less than three years to implement cuts to prevent temperatures from rising over 1.5 degrees.
• The fossil fuel industry remains powerful despite being outdated, with over 1,600 new coal plants planned or under development across 62 countries. The document highlights specific threats from oil and gas, including a potential tar sands frontier in Nigeria, offshore oil exploitation in Togo, and fracking activities or threats in Argentina, Colombia, South Africa, and the UK. Additionally, the EU is planning a 58% increase in gas import capacity.
• The document classifies nuclear and large-scale hydroelectric projects as 'dirty energy' due to their environmental and social impacts. Nuclear is described as dangerous, expensive, and too slow to address climate change, citing Hinkley C as being £1.5 billion over budget and 15 months behind schedule. Large-scale hydro is criticized for causing land grabbing and emitting approximately one billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually from rotting vegetation in dam waters; as of 2015, 57,000 large dams affected more than half of the world's major rivers.
• The statement argues for a just transition where developed countries take primary responsibility, noting that 10% of the global population is responsible for 50% of emissions, while the poorest 50% are responsible for only 10%. It advocates for a shift toward decentralized, people-centered community energy, agroecology, and community forest management.

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} }