The Global Week of Action Delivers

Sometimes an event feels like it’s the start of something bigger. Maybe even transformative. That’s exactly how our Global Week of Action from June 1–7 felt.

For starters, in the middle of a global energy crisis offering daily reminders of the dangers of fossil fuel dependence, over 10,000 people in 20 countries decided they weren’t just going to read the headlines. They were going to do something about it.

What this meant is that for a week, those 10,000-plus volunteers sent emails, made calls, mailed petitions, showed up to 75-plus in-person events, and met with their mayors and city leaders to send a message: We’re done with fossil fuels. Bring clean energy to our communities.

Collectively they reached over 250 government officials across the planet. And that pressure worked. Climate Reality Leaders, chapters, hubs, and allies secured commitments from 16 local governments to take specific steps to bring cheap, clean energy to their community.

In Nairobi, Kenya, officials at the department of environment committed to increase the number of electric vehicles used for public transit.

In Chandigarh, India, staff representing the forestry and employment departments for the state of Punjab committed to developing climate action plans to promote clean energy in Punjab.

In Mellincue, Argentina, Mayor Silvio Garbolina committed to advance renewable projects in collaboration with local Indigenous communities and seek out private sector investment for clean energy

But the impact of this worldwide mobilization doesn’t end there. Because if anything, this Global Week of Action felt like a global lightbulb moment.

For most people, decisions about where their electricity comes from are made by someone else, somewhere else. Sometimes in utility board rooms that don’t have a huge “Welcome” sign on the door. Sometimes in national capitals where corporate lobbyists seem to have a lot more sway with legislators than the people they represent.

What we saw with the Global Week of Action was thousands of people worldwide realizing that no, we should have a say in the energy we use in our community. And then standing up to make it happen.

In Merida in Yucatan, Mexico, Climate Reality Leader Nayelli Hernandez Crespo led a delegation of advocates to meet with their local deputy, Javier Osante, and push for legislative reforms to promote more energy efficiency, rooftop solar, and better access to financing for clean energy.

In Sangli, India, students and teachers visited the gram panchayat village government to demonstrate how a solar panel works and call on the sarpanch village leader to make the village carbon neutral by adopting rooftop solar.

In Rio de Janeiro, Climate Reality Leaders delivered the Dear Mayors petition to Rio City Councilwoman Tatiana Roque, who invited the team to a meeting at her office at the city council to discuss collaborating on climate-related actions in the city and creating a climate training for council staff.

We know it’s the start of something big. A democratic movement of people everywhere taking charge of the energy choices that shape their cities, towns, villages, and communities and choosing clean energy. And that’s reason to get excited.

You can join the movement to bring clean energy to where you call home by visiting our action center and signing up to stay informed about upcoming global days of action.