4 May, 2016
Manila, 4 May 2016 - Today, Greenpeace joins a global wave of nonviolent direct action targeting the world's most dangerous fossil fuel projects. Under the banner of Break Free - to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground - around 10,000 people marched in Batangas City, demanding the cancellation of the proposed 600-megawatt coal power plant in the Barangay Pinamucan Ibaba site. Break Free actions will continue across six continents over the next eleven days.
"In our fight against fossil fuels, Southeast Asia is a major battleground and we cannot afford to cede to those who think of nothing but profit instead of people, and plunder instead of protecting the environment,” said Yeb Saño, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia. “Break Free is a breath of hope for all communities who are standing up to the fossil fuel industry's relentless expansion despite climate change. As our communities rise against the ludicrous anachronism of the ongoing use of coal in Southeast Asia, we are buoyed by this global solidarity.”
2015 was the hottest year ever recorded and the impacts of climate change are already hitting communities around the world. From rising sea levels to extreme storms, the need to act has never been more urgent. As the fossil fuel industry faces a downturn – from collapsing prices, massive divestments, and a new global climate deal - the time has never been better for a just transition to a clean and renewable energy system.
To harness the moment, Greenpeace is collaborating with many inspiring organisations and affected communities in South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, USA, Canada and Spain, escalating the message both locally and globally, and working together to make these massive actions happen.
“Communities on the front lines of climate change aren’t waiting for governments to act. They are taking bold action, and the world needs to listen,” said Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace International. “The Paris agreement was only possible because millions of people spent years fighting for climate justice. Now that governments have committed to action, we must make sure they follow the science and deliver on their word. The only way to survive climate change is through a rapid just transition to 100 percent renewable energy, keeping oil, coal and gas in the ground.”
In order to address the current climate crisis and keep global warming below 1.5C, fossil fuel projects need to be shelved and existing infrastructure needs to be replaced now that renewable energy is more affordable and widespread than ever before.
"We are currently at a crossroads in humanity where we must choose either to continue down a destructive path of extracting fossil fuels or transition to sustainable ways of living,” said Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Lubicon Cree First Nation, Greenpeace Canada Climate & Energy Campaigner and 350.org Board member. “What we need is ambitious renewable energy projects, not more tar sands pipelines. These pipelines don’t have the support of local communities and the Indigenous nations they will impact. If we continue to build fossil fuel infrastructure, we are breaking our promise to do our part in Canada to stem a global climate crisis that is already being felt by communities all over the planet.”