Polluters Out: International Day of Action - Global Press Release
International Youth Climate Coalition Announces Day of Action to Kick the Fossil Fuel Industry Out of COP 26 and All Areas of Influence
Contact: contact@pollutersout.org
On January 24th, 2020, 180 youth climate activists from 80 countries launched Polluters Out, a global coalition of young people united with scientists to challenge the fossil fuel industry’s control of our land and our futures. We believe that fossil fuel companies should not be able to partake in climate policy making discussions as they have a huge vested interest in maintaining the use of the carbon emitting products they create.
The companies most responsible for carbon pollution pay millions for access to crucial decision making bodies such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where world leaders gather to find solutions to the climate crisis. At the same time, the people impacted the most by the effects of climate change are neglected entirely. Just last year, Spanish energy firms Endesa and Iberdrola spent over €2,000,000 to obtain so-called “platinum sponsorship” status for COP25. “We showed up. We marched in millions and used all of our faculties in the fight for our lives. We did our homework, the UN however, didn't. What does COP have to show for its 25 years of meetings, panels and summits except more atmospheric CO2 than ever in human history? This time we strike with a strategy. It is time for the UN to stop accepting polluted money.” said Ayisha Siddiqa, co-founder of Polluters Out.
The fossil-fuel industry’s political influence is not a phenomenon unique to COP, either; their influence is seen in indigenous lands, banks, universities, and governments all around the world. As long as this is allowed to continue, meaningful progress on climate change can never be made. “The fossil fuel industry has exploited our lands for decades, as a result causing the climate crisis we are facing today. While Indigenous people have fought this very same industry, these governments and corporations have tortured, persecuted and murdered our leaders and forest guardians. Now youth from all around the world have come together to kick the fossil fuel industry out. We want them out of our lands. We want them out of our governments. And we want them out of our climate negotiations!” says Helena Gualinga, co-founder of the Polluters Out movement from the Ecuadorian Amazon.
We, the global youth, unite as Polluters Out, a coalition of young climate organizers from around the world dedicated to fighting back against the political influence of the fossil fuel industry through drafting demands and policy in which the international climate movement has lacked.
We are organizing an International Day of Action for March 20, 2020 to demand that the fossil fuel industry is not only kicked out of COP 26 but all spheres of influence, then, during the first week of April, we take our numbers from the streets to meetings with stakeholders for the first ever International Youth Climate Lobby Week. Polluters Out represents a
generation standing up for justice in this pivotal new decade. On the 24th of January, 2020, we begin leading the way to a truly sustainable, fossil-free world.
Click here to see Testimonies from other Polluters Out Organizers
Visit www.pollutersout.org to see our International and Regional Demands
To schedule an interview with a member from Polluters Out, please contact contact@pollutersout.org. For regional contacts, please view below:
United States: Jade Lozada; thejadelozada@gmail.com
Canada: Sophia Qureshi; sophiaqureshi22@gmail.com
Germany: Lisa Steinwandel; lisa.steinwandel@t-online.de; +46 7043 08619
UK: Sam Atkinson; samatkinsonukscn@gmail.com
Australia: Danielle Pore Villafana; daniellevillafanax@gmail.com; + (61)416531171
Costa Rica: Sofia Hernandez; sofia.hernandez260898@gmail.com; +506 87654398
Morocco: Fatima Zahra Tarib; Taribfatizou@gmail.com
India: Sachin Jacob Koonan; sachinjacob03@gmail.com; +91 83559 35022
Kenya: Eric Damien; ericdnjuguna@gmail.com
American Samoa: Donna Talaeai; talaeaidonna@gmail.com