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Independence Day 2013: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

July 04, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, US colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2013, America needs to start thinking seriously about a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.
Americans have some important choices to make. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is an important first step. But this cannot be accomplished as long as Americans vote for Republicans who continue their unyielding support for dirty energy.

We must rethink some of the basic notions of the old economy. We need to move towards more efficient and sustainable visions of the future. It is time for Americans to declare their independence and begin working towards a future free of fossil fuels.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Independence Day 2012: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

July 04, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Two hundred and thirty six years ago, the colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2012, America needs a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.

This year Americans have some important choices to make. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is an important first step. But this cannot be accomplished as long as Americans vote for Republicans who continue their unyielding support for dirty energy.

We must rethink some of the basic notions of the old economy. We need to move towards more efficient and sustainable visions of the future. It is time for Americans to declare their independence and begin working towards a future free of fossil fuels.

Success of #EndFossilFuelSubsidies Twitter Storm Directed at Rio+20

June 20, 2012 Add Comment Edit

On Monday June 18, climate change activists used Twitter to send a message to end fossil fuel subsidies that has echoed around the world. People all over the planet understand that it's simply wrong to be spending tax dollars off to the richest industry in the world, an industry that's wrecking the atmosphere and endangering our shared future. The 24-hour "Twitter storm" garnered the support of hundreds of thousands of people and was the top ranked tweet of the day. According to the Guardian this was the top trending topic in the US and second place globally while Topsy.com reported that it was the #1 story in the world. Politicians have also joined the storm, with messages streaming in from Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in the US and former Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand.

In addition to the Twitterstorm, activists at Avaaz.org, Friends of the Earth, and 350.org delivered a petition of more than 750,000 signatures calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies to 10 Downing Street this morning. Similar petitions are being presented in other nations. In Rio yesterday in which campaigners unfurled a massive trillion dollar bill on Copacabana beach marked with calls for an end to the subsidies, which are approaching that scale.

Keep the Twitterstorm alive and Tweet this post. To make sure the message is not ignored organizers at 350.org are asking people to get 5 friends on Twitter to join the storm. Share this Facebook event on your wall and tag five of your savviest friends asking them to join.

The Twitter Storm has made it that much more likely that we will see the beginning of the end of fossil fuel subsidies.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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End One Trillion Dollars of Annual Fossil Fuel Subsidies

June 19, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Although governments try to hide the exact amount, an analysis by Oil Change International indicates that global oil subsidies total at least $775 billion to as much as $1 trillion or more in 2012. Rather than pay for an industry that is destroying the planet and compromising the lives of all of its inhabitants, this money could be put to better use for renewable energy, education, hunger and poverty.

In 2009, G20 leaders pledged to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. While this was an historic commitment, very little concrete action has followed. Eliminating global fossil fuel subsidies represent a tremendous opportunity for increased efficiencies in spending, reductions in global reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, and sources of finance for climate-related activities and other efforts.

Click here to download a facts sheet.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Rio+20: 350.org Campaign to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

June 18, 2012 Add Comment Edit

As people converge in Rio for the "Earth Summit," it is time to pressure world leaders to end fossil fuel subsidies. Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies topped the UN Rio Dialogues online vote, but the official UN text still lacks clear commitments. That stalwart friend of the environment, 350.org is partnering with Avaaz to promote a massive social media storm designed to pressure world leaders to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

According the 350.org there are now over one million people around the world who are calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Rio+20 is being billed as a landmark event for the planet's future, and the theme of the conference is "building the global green economy." There is no better way to build the green economy than ending fossil fuel subsidies and investing in renewable energy instead.

On June 18th, concerned global citizens from around the world will take to Twitter to make their point: we need to end fossil fuel subsidies NOW! Our message will be heard in Rio de Janeiro—where world leaders will be gathered for the Rio+20 Conference on the Environment—and in capital cities around the world. 350.org is partnering with Avaaz to make the Twitter Storm an event that cannot be ignored.

Learn more about the End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Twitter Storm here, and sign up here to join the 350 Social Media Team Today. The Twitter Storm will take place on Monday June 18th 2012. Join and SHARE the event here. Make sure you use the hastag: #EndFossilFuelSubsidies.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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