Tag: global warming

We are a climate group laser focused on clean energy solutions to global warming. But we are also human beings whose hearts break over the seemingly endless war and suffering in the Middle East. The double tragedy of the current war is it diverts world attention and resources away from other vital issues like our collapsing climate.

We agree with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vr.) that Israel has the right to defend itself, especially after the horrifying Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. We also agree with Sen. Sanders that Israel must follow U.S. and international laws governing the use of weapons against innocent noncombatants. Sadly, as outlined in Sen. Sanders’ letter to his Senate colleagues, Israel is not following those standards.

Therefore, we support the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval that Senator Sanders announced at a press conference today, accompanied by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). It is our hope that the adoption of these resolutions can speed the end of this current war and all its suffering.

War is bad for people and the climate. Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

If we want citizens in this country and the world to care about the facts of any international issue – from war to climate change – then our government must acknowledge facts and follow the law. By ignoring and therefore condoning Israel’s improper use of weapons in Gaza, the U.S. is not only aiding mass killing, it’s eroding the entire rules-based order of international law.

To be clear, first and foremost, this is a humanitarian tragedy with assistance from U.S. taxpayers. It must stop. Secondarily, if we ever want to lead again on any global issue, including climate change, we have to acknowledge vital truths and act in the best interest of all nations.

Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

To reiterate, we are first and foremost a clean energy group with one overriding mission: To solve the climate crisis everywhere with clean energy for everyone.

But this is an intersectional world and from time to time it is important to speak out on issues of justice that impact all people and all issues. We are not alone. Climate groups like Sunrise and longtime leaders like the Rev. Lennox Yearwood are supporting this call to action — recognizing that all our struggles are connected. 

The Senate committee is expected to vote tomorrow on Sen. Sanders’ resolutions. As a diverse organization, with staff members who are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and nonreligious, we hope you will contact your U.S. Senators today and urge them to vote “yes”.

Climate change is a crisis demanding our utmost attention. But there are moments when we must pause to respond to suffering from other causes, especially suffering as great as that in Gaza and Israel now.

As a multi-racial, multi-faith staff — including adherents of Christianity, Judaism and Islam — we call on the White House to support a peace arrangement founded on a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the return of all Israeli hostages.

As negotiations for a ceasefire continue at this moment, we believe it is important for U.S. advocacy groups of all types to speak up for a just and lasting peace. To date, more than 100 Israeli hostages are still being held after 1200 Israeli men, women, and children were attacked and killed on October 7th by Hamas. This is unacceptable. Since then, more than 27,000 Palestinians and others have been killed in raids and bombings by the Israeli Defense Forces, two thirds of them women and children. In December, the World Food Program said 90 percent of Gazans were eating less than one meal per day. This is unacceptable.

Sign the petition: Tell the White House to support a peace agreement that includes a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and secures the return of all Israeli hostages. The suffering of innocent men, women, and children must stop. This petition will be delivered TODAY (February 8) by 8 PM ET.

As a climate change group, nearly all of our advocacy is focused on clean energy and climate justice issues, as it should be. But very occasionally, we call for justice in the wake of other extraordinary moments – the Haitian earthquake disaster of 2010, the killing of George Floyd in 2020, and the January 6th insurrection.

The scale of innocent lives lost in this conflict has few rivals among conflicts in our lifetimes. The Gaza war, like all wars, distracts the world community from focusing on the biggest long-term threat of violence to all people everywhere: climate change. Now the United States, unlike in most armed conflicts in the world right now, has a decidedly strong opportunity to influence an end to the violence in Israel and Gaza.

Sign the petition: Tell the White House to support a peace agreement that includes a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and secures the return of all Israeli hostages. The suffering of innocent men, women, and children must stop. This petition will be delivered TODAY (February 8) by 8 PM ET.

Your support for our organization is based first and foremost on our work to end global warming. We know that. Our commitment to that goal will never change. But today we ask you to demand peace in Gaza so we can continue to work for climate peace for the entire planet.