We need the Olympic spirit on climate change
NEWSLETTER, July 2024—Build climate value into all trade decisions; The Climate Clock ticks down; Climate-fueled disasters require better preparedness; Remembering Mozambique volunteer Jeffrey Lolonha
Every four years, for a brief time, we catch a glimpse of the world coming together in peaceful coexistence for the inspiring spectacle of the Olympic Games. For a little over two weeks, nations gather in one place for a unique exploration of human potential. We are moved by the stories of athletes who make personal sacrifices and persevere through daunting challenges to compete in the games. We witness nonviolent competition between nations and the resilience and drive of the human family. Through it all, the Olympic spirit and ideal invites us to imagine a world where people of all colors and nationalities can live in harmony and create a world that works for everyone. Months from now, the nations of the world will come together again for two weeks for the purpose of solving the greatest challenge our civilization faces: climate change. When representatives from nearly 200 countries gather in Azerbaijan for COP29, they must bring with them the Olympic spirit that can overcome differences and allow us to see each other, not as Europeans or Africans or Asians, but as fellow human beings who must work together to preserve a livable world.
Build climate value into all trade decisions
One key area with potential to cut the greenhouse gas emissions heating up our planet is international trade. The manufacturing processes by which tradable goods are made vary widely from country to country. In some countries, environmental standards have reduced the carbon emissions that are embedded in their products. In other countries, such standards are lax or non-existent, and the goods they sell around the world are “dirty,” with a high level of carbon emitted in the manufacturing process.
A statement released following the G7 Trade Ministers meeting in Italy last month had this to say: “We believe trade and environmental policies should be mutually supportive and contribute to sustainable development and to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, whilst promoting a free and fair multilateral rules-based trading system.”
At the heart of these discussions is the realization that trade affects the state of our climate, and the state of our climate affects trade, the global economy and much more — food security, health, political stability, migration. The inescapable conclusion is that climate value must be embedded in every decision we make regarding trade.
Learn more in our blog post about what is being done to make international trade a part of the solution on climate change.
The Climate Clock ticks down
Scientists have warned that we must do our best to prevent global temperatures from increasing more than 1.5° Centigrade above pre-industrial levels in order to prevent climate chaos. In 2020, the Climate Clock project was launched to mark the time we have left to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to avoid breaching that threshold. On July 22, the clock ticked down below five years, and CCI volunteers in communities around the world — Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Canada — participated in events to raise awareness that time is running out. The event in Cameroon featured 15 victims from last year's devastating floods in Buea who joined 15 climate and nature activists and volunteers on a 15-kilometer march calling for climate justice and climate finance now to address local and national climate emergencies.
Climate-fueled disasters require better preparedness
Last month, Hurricane Beryl carved a path of destruction from the Caribbean to eastern Canada. When Beryl came ashore in the U.S., CCI Executive Director Joe Robertson experienced the terrifying wrath of the storm at his home in Houston. As it was happening and in the immediate aftermath of this disaster, power and phone service was cut off as he and other residents dealt with oppressive heat and the inability to communicate with the world beyond their neighborhoods. Was it safe to go outside? Were the roads passable? When would power be restored? Such critical information was inaccessible to residents. As climate change makes extreme weather events more frequent and destructive, keeping services staffed and running during disasters can save lives and minimize suffering. Redundancies and backup systems in power, communications and medical services must be part of preparedness plans in a rapidly changing climate that produces shock events like Beryl.
Quick action for August: Share your views on a livable future
We’re introducing a quick action you can take to address climate change, and this month’s action relates to the Summit for the Future that will be held next month at the United Nations in New York. The Summit is a “high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.”
CCI and the Climate Value Exchange are convening the global online Consultation on Priorities for a Livable Future to let you contribute your insights, values, experiences, and aspirations to the 2024 Reinventing Prosperity report, which will serve as our contribution to the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024. Fill out this simple form to share your insights, and share with friends and family.
Remembering Mozambique’s Jeffrey Lolonha
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a former group leader and dedicated volunteer from Mozambique, Jeffrey Lolonha, who passed away on July 7. His burial took place on July 8. Jeffrey was a pastor based in vila Ulongué, a town in the administrative seat of Angónia District in the northeast part of the Tete Province in Mozambique. He exemplified persistence, living in a region with scant internet service but never wavering in his commitment. He persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and when Typhoon Freddy, the longest lived typhoon ever, slammed into Mozambique twice in early 2023. As his health began to fail and he stepped back, Jeffrey hoped someone would continue his vital work. Jeffrey was particularly concerned about the connections between climate change and food security. The Global Environment Fund has identified Mozambique as a country it will support, and Citizens' Climate International is actively helping. If you are in Mozambique and interested in continuing Jeffrey's legacy, please sign up here. Jeffrey's dedication and spirit will always remain with us. Rest in peace, Jeffrey.
Updates
In Nigeria, CCI volunteers lobbied the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, presenting the chairman of the Committee on Housing and Environment with a draft for a state Climate Change Policy.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Japan volunteer Toshishige Yamamoto got an op-ed published in Asahi on carbon cash-back: “We must transition to a decarbonized society as soon as possible… [Citizens Climate Lobby Japan] has been advocating for carbon pricing and dividends to citizens.”
In Panama, Andre Dumoulin published a piece that explored the impact of emerging technologies and industries on sustainable economies and their tax implications.
CCL Canada successfully lobbied the government to include an explanation with the carbon rebate checks that were sent out last month. Share their tweet about this carbon pricing messaging breakthrough.
CCL Canada: On July 15, Canadians received their quarterly rebate cheque. In anticipation of that, CCL Canada flung an op-ed far and wide across Canada and scored over a dozen publications, including in the Edmonton Journal, Milton Today, and the Sudbury Star.
CCL UK: Following recent elections in the United Kingdom, CCI volunteers wasted no time reaching out to returning and new members of Parliament with letters of congratulation and entreaties to adopt climate income.
South Sudan: CCI’s group in Juba has just attained legal status and will operate under the name Youth Action for Climate Change. Their nation is beset with many challenges, climate change being a major factor.
Coming up
Our next check-in call with groups around the world will be on August 13.
Our Get-To-Know-Us calls — introduction to Citizens’ Climate International — will resume on Sept. 18. Register for the call here.
