November 11, 2013

From Bill McKibben and 350.org about the typhoon and climate crisis

As the annual climate negotiations start in Poland, the shocking toll of the worst tropical storm ever should move all nations to action. Here an e-mail alert with information and suggested actions.

Friends,

Last week, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines -- and left a path of destruction and tragedy in its wake. More than 10,000 people are feared dead.

Lines of communication are in still in chaos, but we managed to get in touch with Zeph, our amazing 350 Southeast Asia Coordinator in the Philippines. Here’s what she just emailed to our team:

“This lends urgency to our work. I think we need to be twice as strong as Typhoon Haiyan.”

If we need to be twice as strong, let's do two things immediately:

1) Raise some money for direct relief to those in need.

These are our brothers and sisters in this movement. Below this email are some pictures from 350 actions across the islands over the years. This storm is a blow to a place already reeling from the effects of climate change. Metro Manila has seen repeated flooding from milder storms; there's been a severe outbreak of dengue fever this year in the Philippines. 

Among the pictures below you'll see a group of volunteer 350 activists from Tacloban, one of the cities most ravaged by Haiyan. We don't know the fate of all of our friends there, but we do know they need serious help now -- so please do send what you can through direct relief organizations by clicking here.

2) Raise some hell.

Governments are meeting in Warsaw the next two weeks for the annual UN climate negotiations. This ritual has dragged on for years without conclusion, largely because the great powers have done so little. On days like these, their inaction amounts to mockery. So we’ve setup a page where you can add your name to a petition that our staff will hand-deliver to negotiators at the UN climate summit. In short, we need to let world leaders know that their inaction is wrecking the world, and the time is long past for mere talk -- we need action, and we need it now.

Today at the UN climate summit, Mr. Yeb Sano, the lead negotiator of the Philippines, urged his fellow negotiators to take a bold stance. During the opening session of the summit, he committed to fast throughout the two weeks of the talks until countries make real commitments around climate finance and reducing emissions.

Sano said, “let Poland, let Warsaw, be remembered as the place where we truly cared to stop this madness. Can humanity rise to this occasion? I still believe we can.”

I still believe we can too. Please sign on and donate whatever you can to the relief effort.

Many thanks,

Bill McKibben for 350.org  

More Info and Links

• "Typhoon Haiyan influenced by climate change, scientists say" - Sydney Morning Herald
• "Talks seek modest U.N. climate deal for 2015, to raise aid" - Reuters
• "Vast Challenges for Philippines After Typhoon" - The New York Times
• Typhoon Haiyan: Philippines urges action to resolve climate talks deadlock - The Guardian

Pictures of 350 Actions in The Philippines