22.09.23 / UN climate climate crisis LNG sanctions New York Climate Week / Article

Uniting for Change, and Winning! Our Journey at New York Climate Week

"As we stand on the precipice of a changing world, we must recognize that our voices hold the power to drive change. The events of this week during New York Climate Week have shown us the strength of our collective determination, pushing us to confront critical issues that demand immediate attention. In New York City, marching with tens of thousands of strong, powerful climate activists from across the globe, I had the clear sensation that we are winning!"

Stricter Sanctions for a Cleaner Future
One of the paramount issues raised during this week's discussions is the need for stricter sanctions to halt the supply of oil and gas from Russia. The world has witnessed how U.S. companies like Halliburton and Schlumberger (SLB) have played a role in sustaining Russia's fossil fuel industry. To move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, governments must hold these companies accountable.

The Importance of Cutting Government Fossil Fuel Subsidies
To truly commit to combating climate change, it's essential that we address the financial aspect of the fossil fuel industry. It’s quite shocking that US banks are among the biggest backers of these projects, despite civil society organizations urging them for years to stop financing fossil fuels and take the side of a radical shift to investment in clean energy solutions. The U.S. government's subsidies to the fossil fuel sector hinder progress towards cleaner energy alternatives.

Funding for Russia's Arctic LNG2 must be stopped
Russia's Arctic LNG2 project is a massively problematic development that requires immediate attention. International funding, including from the USA, has the potential to fuel this expansion. It's crucial that we take a stand against supporting such projects that endanger our planet's climate stability.

Zelensky and Biden: A Focus on Energy and Climate
The world was keenly awaiting the words of Presidents Zelensky and Biden during the United Nations meeting in New York. President Zelenskiy, during his speech at the UN General Assembly, highlighted that the world has repeatedly witnessed Russia's use of energy as a weapon. Russia consistently turns its fossil fuel exports and nuclear energy into geopolitical weapons.

President Biden on Wednesday announced an initiative to train more than 20,000 young people in skills crucial to combating climate change, such as installing solar panels, restoring coastal wetlands and retrofitting homes to be more energy-efficient.

Our Collective Movement at the NY Climate March
Our movement came together strongly at the New York Climate March, showing the world that the people demand change. From small island states threatened by rising oceans to Africa facing severe food shortages and Southeast Asia devastated by droughts and floods, our collective pressure is unwavering.

It's clear that the climate crisis is also a costly threat to global economic stability, with the potential to cost the world economy $178 trillion by 2070 if left unaddressed, according to the Wall St. Journal. Clean energy production is the way forward, and ending Russian fossil fuel exports, especially LNG, should be a priority.

Taking Action for a Sustainable Future
In the face of multiple crises threatening our planet and humanity, we stand united. We must continue to press for change, hold corporations accountable, and demand that governments take the necessary actions to transition to a sustainable and peaceful world.

The time for action is now, and our voices will continue to echo until the issues of peace and climate change are resolved.