Climate/Energy: Time for People to 'Reclaim Power'

Ahead of the final round of United Nations climate negotiations in Bonn [1] before the Paris climate summit later this year, a global alliance is highlighting the need to transform our energy system and our economic system, and to stop climate change, with the October 9-10 days to 'Reclaim Power'. [2]

"Global consumption of energy today is huge and rapidly rising, but more than 1.3 billion people are without access to electricity, and many more have barely enough to fulfill the right to a dignified life. The time has come to Reclaim Power - to take control of our own energy systems. Friends of the Earth International groups are taking part in #ReclaimPower events and calling on people everywhere to join us," said Lucy Cadena, climate justice and energy coordinator at Friends of the Earth International.

Climate change is wreaking devastation on our food and water systems and is causing stronger and more frequent deadly weather events that destroy homes, livelihoods and communities, particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable.

"The energy sector is the largest, fastest-growing contributor to climate change. More than a third of all human greenhouse gas emissions come from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas for energy," said Lucy Cadena.

"The harm comes not just from fossil fuels. The aggressive production and promotion of large-scale agro-fuels at the expense of food and livelihoods, mega-dams and hydro projects that devastate ecosystems and communities, nuclear power, and toxic burning of waste and garbage for energy all form part of today's dirty energy system," she added.

#ReclaimPower is a global call from social movements, international networks, non-profit organisations and grassroots groups united across continents to:

- Ban new dirty energy projects
- End government subsidies and public handouts for dirty energy
- Divest from fossil fuel corporations
- Provide universal access to energy
- End excessive energy consumption by corporations and global elites
- Make a swift and just transition to public and community renewable energy systems.

There are encouraging signs.

The global movement for divestment from fossil fuel corporations grew 50-fold in just the past year, with the divestment pledges topping $2.6 trillion. According to an Arabella Advisors report released on September 22, the divestment pledges span 430 institutions and 2,040 individuals across 43 countries.

The installation of renewable energy is also increasing in many countries. In the United States, for instance, solar energy is the fastest-growing source of power. In the UK, onshore wind energy has become cheaper than electricity from any other source.

As October 9 and 10 are also the first two days of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings in Lima, Peru, #ReclaimPower organisers are also calling for these international financial institutions to stop public handouts to dirty energy.