A personal favour.

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Published on Monday, 05 June 2017 12:15

Written by editor

Friends,

Now that Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, it’s been a tough few days for the climate movement.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over decades of fighting this fight, it’s that at moments like this, we have to work even harder to grow and strengthen the movement for climate action. We need to stand up to Trump’s lies by shining a light on the truth. We must make it clear to those around us what climate change truly puts at risk. That’s why, today, I’m asking you, as a personal favour, to do something a little different. I’m asking you to watch a film -- and... after you watch, show it to others around you.

This “Raise a Paddle” film documents the journey of Pacific Islanders to the tar sands. It tells the beautiful and heartbreaking stories of the Pacific Climate Warriors who stand to lose everything as a result of catastrophic climate change but who also remain committed to the fight for a liveable planet. Watching it today, I felt a jolt of invigoration despite this dark moment. This film was a grounding reminder of the scale of destruction that climate change threatens to unleash. It was also a reminder that, right now, we stand our best chance by pushing for real action from world leaders like Trudeau who, unlike Trump, have championed the Paris Agreement. You will know what I mean when you watch this film.

If Pacific Islanders whose homes and communities are threatened by rising seas refuse to give up the fight for climate action -- you and I are in no position to give up either.

It’s not all bad news these days either. The recent election in BC produced an unprecedented political alliance vowing to do what it takes to stop the Kinder Morgan tar sands pipeline. The project’s prospects seem to get dimmer everyday.

But we cannot slow down in the fight to stop the tar sands -- in fact, now that we know that Trump is so clearly a disaster for the planet, the rest of the world must work twice as hard to keep fossil fuels in the ground. In Canada, it is crucial for Prime Minister Trudeau to keep his promise to honour the Paris Agreement by freezing tar sands expansion. Of course, he will need people like us to show him the right path. After you watch this film, make sure you sign up to join the resistance to the tar sands.

Onwards,

Bill McKibben

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