Corporations and the world’s richest people are burning the planet. That’s the simple fact of the matter. Fossil fuel firms have known about the consequences of climate change for half a century, but even today, as global temperatures soar they are opening new oil and gas fields. Big banks continue to fund this expansion, while tech firms are putting the energy transition in danger as their data centres drive massive growth in energy demand.
Meanwhile inequality is out of control. Jeff Bezos flaunts his extreme wealth by hiring out the whole of Venice for his wedding, but everywhere the super-rich have seen their wealth balloon in recent years. For the rest of us crumbling public services, soaring energy bills and a devastated environment are the reality. The rich are getting rich at our expense, and it is starting to be existential.
|
|
It’s time we tackled the climate and inequality crises together. That’s why Global Justice Now has been central to launching Make Them Pay, a platform with three simple demands:
1. Tax the super-rich
2. Protect workers, not billionaires
3. Make polluters pay
Since we launched three weeks ago, the response has been heartening. New organisations are signing up every day, with over 40 now on board, including national trade unions, major environment and development organisations, and grassroots campaign groups. Will you join them by adding your name to these demands?
|
|
The next step is to take our demands to the streets. Recent research has shown that nine in ten people worldwide want to see serious action on climate change, but some are also concerned that such action could come at their expense – that the costs of dealing with climate breakdown could fall on workers and communities, not those who caused it. The far right is trying to exploit those concerns to push for climate policies to be abandoned.
That’s why it is so important that everyone who can turns out on the Make Them Pay demonstration this September. Billionaires have broken Britain – and our climate – and we need to make them pay to fix it.
Make Them Pay national demonstration
When? Saturday 20 September
Where? Central London (exact assembly point tba)
|
|
To build the biggest possible mobilisation, we need your help. Can you tell friends and family about the demo, or local campaign groups you’re involved with? Order free leaflets from us to help with this effort using our online form. If you could do more, such as helping to organise coach transport from where you live, please get in touch: [email protected]
The pipeline that is funnelling wealth from the poorest to the richest is trashing the planet twice over. At one end, corporations pursue profit at all costs, including a liveable planet. At the other end the super-rich who benefit produce lifestyle-based carbon emissions hundreds, or even thousands, of times that of an ordinary person – especially those in the global south.
Climate justice demands we tackle not just emissions, but profits and wealth too. Help us make 20 September a moment when that message cannot be ignored.
In solidarity,
|
|
James O’Nions
Head of movement building
|
|
At Global Justice Now we’re proud to be outspoken
We take on issues that others are afraid to touch and we don’t make compromises.
By joining us, you can fight for regulations that put people before profit, and build public pressure against corporate greed.
Become a member and join others standing up to injustice.
|
|
|
|
|
