Fight Fascism and Corruption: cop-out at COP30
Charlie Cooper
COP 30 in Brazil fails to mention fossil fuels
Brazil hosted the UN Climate Conference and allowed indigenous people to have limited access to the site and even a few delegates. However, fossil fuel advocates, led by Saudi Arabia, were able to strike any mention of fossil fuels from the final communique.
This outcome makes it exceedingly unlikely that the global community will be able to limit temperature rise to the 1.5 degrees Celsius agreed upon in Paris in 2015.
Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, announced that in April 2026, Colombia and The Netherlands will host an independent conference of nations that do want to eliminate fossil fuels. Also, there was a tiny bit of progress on funding to maintain the world’s forests.
Delegates from wealthier nations agreed to triple funding commitment to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, the World Resources Institute reports that “efforts are largely off-track to fully deliver on [climate pledges].”
Trump decided that the U.S. would not send a delegation to COP30. He is content to let China dominate the technological developments for renewable energy.
For relief from the grim news, watch Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D, CT) lambasting his Republican colleagues for concessions to fossil fuel companies in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” The larvae metaphor that he employs near the end of the speech is priceless.
BOYCOTT!!!
The definition of fascism includes regimenting all industry and commerce to operate in accord with the ruling political power. We see this alignment happening in the US with Trump intimidating and romancing tech companies, media corporations, law firms, and more. In addition to enriching himself, Trump has pushed through big tax cuts and deregulation that will further concentrate wealth and power in a few corporate oligarchs. Now, progressive and pro-democracy forces are coordinating national responses designed to put pressure on corporations to stop propping up Trump. Three major corporations have been targeted in the most prominent version of this strategy.
How to Participate in We Ain’t Buying it
Full Black Out: Don’t buy anything from Target, Amazon, or Home Depot stores during this week. Use the time and money to connect with those you love, and rediscover what matters.
Redirect Spending: Skip the companies undermining democracy. Shop small, local, or with businesses affirming our humanity.
Join the Movement: Pledge to be a conscious consumer.
Amplify: Spread the word. Share the message in conversation and online.
Use and SHARE Our Toolkit: Get the word out about this economic action so we can hit the billionaire’s pockets where it hurts! Share now!
Read news coverage by Fast Company.
Another coalition of organizations, Mass Blackout, has added the idea of work stoppage to the consumer boycott.
No complacency
Trump has had a very bad month. Prices are up. We even witnessed the spectacle of him fawning over Zohran Mamdani because even he sees the power of the affordability issue. Please don’t be tempted to think that this fascist regime will go away on its own. He still has a lower disapproval rating than at the same point during his first term!
We must remember that defeating Trump is not the goal. Our task is to activate our friends and neighbors to build a strong and durable coalition for peace, sustainability, and equality. We have to stop wasting trillions on health care administrative costs and profits and futile foreign military adventures. We have to tax the rich and control monopoly power – especially in the era of AI. We must replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. It’s a gargantuan agenda, and the Democrats will not implement it unless we force them to.
Here is a guide to a wide range of non-violent actions designed to thwart authoritarian regimes.
Baltimore news: Kweisi Mfume has a primary opponent
Baltimore area advocates of stopping arms shipments to Israel have been trying to convince Rep. Kweisi Mfume of District 7 and Johnny Olszewski of District 2 to cosponsor the Block the Bombs bill, H.R. 3565. In view of charges of genocide against Israel that have been upheld by the international courts, many people feel that the U.S. should stop arming Israel and that Israel would be unable to exert regional military dominance without U.S. military aid. So far, the only Maryland representative to cosponsor the bill is Jamie Raskin of District 8.
Mfume now has a primary opponent, City Councilperson Mark Conway, who has announced that he will support the Block the Bombs bill. After more than a dozen requests to meet with Rep. Mfume, he has agreed to a virtual meeting on December 9 with a limited number of constituents to discuss the Block the Bombs bill.
