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The September 27,
2019, Climate Strike in Edmonton, Canada. Photo: @abdulymalik
To close out 2019, we wanted to do something special. It’s not just
the end of the year — it’s the end of an incredible decade of climate
activism and a transition to the next. The challenge ahead is enormous,
but if this year has taught us anything, it’s that more of us than ever
before are ready to rise.
So enjoy the top 10 people-powered moments of 2019 from around the
world. And for highlights from the last ten years, be sure to checkout the
350.org
10-year timeline.
We’ll be back in 2020 with more Fossil Free News updates from around
the world. From everyone at 350.org, we wish you a healthy, happy new
decade – with climate justice for all.
– Nicole
Top
10 People-Powered Moments of 2019
1.
Brazilian states ban fracking
In a historic victory
after years of campaigning, the state of Paraná
in Brazil passed a law in July to permanently ban fracking – and Santa
Catarina state followed weeks later. It means Latin America’s largest
shale reserves will go untapped, with 18 million people safe from the
direct impacts of fracking. The wins energized a national debate to ban
fracking across the whole country; municipal bans have already passed in
hundreds of cities and towns across Brazil. Read
more.
2. Divestment
milestone
In September, the amount investors
committed to divest from oil, coal, and gas companies reached more than
$11 trillion USD, blowing past the goal set last year of $10 trillion
divested by the end of 2020. And since September, we’ve already hit $12
trillion! Follow the cities, companies, and institutions divesting with
our divestment
commitment tracker.
3.
Promise to protect
Indigenous leaders and allies
held a March-May training tour for 1,160 people in nine U.S. cities. They
were answering the call to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and protect water
and ancestral lands. Construction continues to be debated and delayed –
but people across the United States are prepared for creative resistance
in case it resumes. Watch
the wrap-up video from the tour.
Save Lamu activists
celebrate a victory against a coal plant in Kenya. Photo:
DeCOALonize
4. Lamu,
saved
After years of resistance, in June a Kenya
tribunal cancelled a developer’s license to build a new coal plant at
Lamu, a stunning coastal UNESCO world heritage site. It was a huge
victory, made even sweeter by the fact that the court recognized the lack
of public participation and risks to people and the environment. See
the celebration.
5.
Williams pipeline moratorium
Activists pushed New
York’s Governor to halt the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement
pipeline, which would bring fracked gas to New York City. The company has
re-applied for construction permits, but people are demanding a permanent
ban and a Green New Deal to make sure it never gets built. Watch
the recap.
6. Afrika Vuka
launch
A new
platform to unite grassroots campaigns across Africa is bringing
together learnings and resources from groups working to halt fossil fuel
infrastructure and promote a transition to renewable energy. Thanks to
local campaigning, in April South
Africa’s Nedbank became the first African bank to stop project
financing for coal, after they decided not to fund Thabametsi and Khanyisa
coal plants.
People from across
Europe sit in at the EIB in Luxembourg in June. Photo: 350
Europe
7. Fossil Free
EIB
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the
world’s biggest international public bank and the €555 billion lending arm
of the European Union. Thousands of people pressured the bank to axe
fossil fuels from its lending policy, and last month it permanently ended
support for most fossil fuel projects! Read
more.
8. Asian banks dump
coal
The world’s fifth largest bank, Japan’s MUFG, tightened
its lending policy in May, when it announced an end to new project
finance for coal power. Campaigners continue to target the Asian banks
financing coal, especially in Japan. And we’re chipping away: Singapore’s
big three banks also announced ending financing to new coal plants earlier
this year.
9. Europe’s gas does not
pass
Three iconic fights against gas won big
victories in Europe this year. The MidCat pipeline between Spain and
France, and Gothenburg terminal in Sweden were both cancelled, while
fracking was banned in the UK. Read
more.
September 20
Climate Strike in Bogotá, Colombia. Photo: Laura Imery
10. Millions strike for the
climate
September’s climate strikes were
groundbreaking, with 7.6 million people in 185 countries taking part.
Together, we snatched front pages of news outlets around the globe and put
the fossil fuel industry on notice, setting the tone for what’s to come.
Read
more.
A
decade of climate action
Back in 2009, at the end of the last decade, the climate movement was
small and scrappy. Together, we’ve grown into a diverse, powerful movement
ready to take on the fossil fuel industry into the 2020s: a
mission-critical decade for averting the worst of climate crisis.
 Photo: Members of Cairo
Cycling Club on 350.org’s first global day of action, October 24,
2009.
Take a look at 350.org’s path through the
past decade and the people-powered wins we’ve celebrated along the
way.
That’s all for now. See you in the new year!  | 
