There’s no time to wait. With each year, the threat of climate crisis is growing stronger and we have to act now. We call for an action weekend against coal between 3 and 6 September in northern Bohemia, where we’re planning to create space for diverse protests for an immediate coal phase-out and just transition.
After a few-months-long break, the government has again assembled the coal commission, in which mostly politicians and coal tycoon representatives are supposed to decide on the date of coal phase-out. We’ve known for a long time now that the age of coal must end immediately if we wish to prevent the worst outcomes of the climate crisis. We cannot lose time with even more long discussions: we need to close down old coal power plants such as Počerady and Chvaletice – and we need to start right #now.
Just transition and energy democracy #now
The government is conducting coal phase-out along with the owners of energy companies – and without locals from the coal regions. The corporations want to keep the industry alive for as long as they can and insure their dominance by building new nuclear reactors.
We demand for a just departure from coal, which must go hand in hand with creating clean energy job opportunities and support for people whose livelihoods depend on the coal industry or who are affected by coal extraction. We also demand energy democratisation, meaning transition to renewables in the hands of municipalities, communities and co-ops.
Let’s solve drought #now
In lieu of the original program part of Klimakemp – Summer school of climate justice – we are preparing several educational activities in coal regions and outside of them. We’re also planning to take part in actions and protests against the way the government is dealing with current droughts. Because one of the main causes of the drought is the climate crisis induced by the burning of coal and other fossil fuels.
We’ve always cared for the safety of all participating. This year we will do as much as we can to avoid the health risks of the coronavirus pandemic on our events – including the action weekend between 3 and 6 September.