From No War, No Warming:
Fight Climate Change, Not Wars for Oil!
It’s time to bridge the divide between the peace movement and the climate action movement. For far too long, our groups have been working on one or the other of these issues, but now is the time to acknowledge the ways in which these issues are linked and the need for people throughout the world to take action to end both war and climate change!
Oil is the critical link between war and climate change.
There would have been no invasion of Iraq if that country’s main export were broccoli. It was the US addiction to oil that drove our country into the Iraq war and will fuel future resource wars, unless the US ends its addiction. Additionally, the US military is the largest single consumer of petroleum in the country, so as the military grows, so does our addiction to fossil fuels.
Oil is also the main cause of climate change. Our addiction to greenhouse-gas-emitting oil is melting the Arctic and Greenland before our eyes, destroying Indigenous cultures and peoples. It is disappearing small island nations as sea levels rise, and it’s creating extreme climate events and super storms like Hurricane Katrina around the world. In fact, as the situation gets even worse, as people run out of water and eco-systems wither, climate change is an emerging global security threat that could make current wars pale by comparison.
Meanwhile, who suffers from war and climate change? In both cases, it is the poorest people, people of color and people from the Global South, who suffer the most, and it is oil companies, Halliburton and other corporate pillagers who reap the profits.
To end future oil wars and stop the impending climate crisis, we need to take dramatic steps to end the US addiction to oil and other fossil fuels. What if we shifted the billions of dollars being spent every month on war and destruction in Iraq to investment in clean, efficient, jobs-creating, and renewable energy sources? Let’s make it happen! US out of Iraq and into Kyoto!
Join Us in Action – Here’s What You Can Do!
The Iraq war and the threat of climate change are the twin global threats that millions of Americans said they wanted immediate action on after the U.S. mid-term election. But as Iraq continues to devolve into violence and chaos, and as we hit another year of record warm temperatures, our legislators are failing to respond to the will of the people. We want a safe and healthy planet for years and years to come. Please join us in a series of actions in 2007 to fight climate change, not wars for oil! Here’s what you can do:
*Protest War AND Climate Change on the 4-Year Anniversary of the Iraq War
Hundreds of communities throughout the US, and the world, will be holding events on March 17-19, to mark the 4-year anniversary of the Iraq war. We urge environmentalists and climate change activists to organize protests on these dates. For a list of local peace that are already planned, go to http://www.unitedforpeace.org. Or organize your own action! Gas stations would be a great target. What better location to send a message about war, oil and the consequences of oil addiction than a gas station? List your protest at http://www.unitedforpeace.org
*Step It Up on April 14, the Nationwide Protest Against Climate Change
On April 14th, tens of thousands of Americans will gather all across the country at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. The demand: Step it up Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050. We urge peace groups to join this day of protest. Send the message Fight Climate Change, Not Wars for Oil by protesting at a local gas station or other site. List your protest at http://www.stepitup2007.org/
*Join us for a joint “NO WAR, NO WARMING” national mobilization this fall!
As Congress goes back into session this fall, let’s bring together the peace and environmental movements to demand that our Representatives take immediate action to end the Iraq War AND stop climate change, by ending the US addiction to oil. Get involved in the planning NOW. Email andrea@globalexchange.org to find out how to get involved.
ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS
Climate Crisis Coalition
CODEPINK
Democracy Rising
Farms Not Arms
Global Exchange
Green House Network
Hip Hop Caucus
Independent Progressive Politics Network
Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution
Madre
Oil Change International
Organic Consumers Association
Pax Christi USA
Peace Action
Progressive Democrats of America
Project South
Rainforest Action Network
Rising Tide North America
Sierra Youth Coalition
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Southern Energy Network
Student Environmental Action Coalition
Voters for Peace
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
See our last posts on the anti-war effort, and ecological collapse the struggle for control of oil
