Action/2015, a collaborative campaign involving over a thousand organizations from around the world, launches today, with an urgent demand that local and world leaders take immediate action this year on three key interconnected issues: halting man-made climate change, eradicating poverty and addressing inequality.
The future of billions of people is on the line if world leaders fail to take aggressive action at two crucial summits in New York and Paris later this year- September's UN Special Summit on Sustainable Development and the November-December UN Climate talks.
According to recently released calculations by the Action/2015 coalition, almost a billion additional people will experience extreme poverty, with billions more remaining highly vulnerable to impacts of these three crucial issues if leaders fail to deliver equitable and powerful solutions.
University of Denver research suggests that by 2030 the number of people living in extreme poverty (defined as surviving on less than $1.25 a day) could be reduced dramatically from over a billion to 360 million if action is taken by year end and implemented in a timely manner. This represents a decrease from the current 17% of the global population to 4%.
Other less conservative research, which incorporates more variables, suggests eradication of poverty is a possibility for the first time in history.
Failure to act ambitiously and aggressively could actually increase poverty levels to to 1.2 billion over the same time period.
"This increase would be the first in a generation (since 1993) and almost a billion higher (886million) than if resolute action is taken. Under this scenario 1 in 3 of the world’s population would live under $2 a day," the report concludes.
"People globally want an end to injustice, poverty and illiteracy," says Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate and Malala Fund co-founde Malala Yousafzai. "Our world is interconnected and youth are ready and mobilised more than ever to see real change take place. Together, we are demanding our leaders take action in 2015 and we must all do our part. I will continue to work tirelessly to call on world leaders to seize this opportunity to guarantee a free, quality primary and secondary education for every child. That is my goal and I hope that my voice will be heard as it is the voice of millions of children who want to go to school."
The Action/2015 coalition is one of the biggest campaigns ever to launch, combining over one thousand environmental, human rights, development organisations and faith networks from over 120 countries. Action/2015 is also backed by high profile activists such as
Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Bill and Melinda Gates, Bono, Ben Affleck and Mo Ibrahim and also equally involves grassroots NGOs working with local communities,
A Movement Shaped by The People
Action/2015 is designed to ensure people everywhere can access information and tools to become engaged in influencing the outcomes of these unprecedented global debates.
The common goals are:
* An end to poverty in all its forms;
* The meeting of fundamental rights, tackling inequality and discrimination;
* An accelerated transition to 100% renewable energy;
*A world where everyone can participate and hold their leaders accountable.
“If we get this wrong, we could see the number of people living in poverty increase for the first time in our generation. But if we get it right – tackle poverty, inequality and climate change - we could eradicate extreme poverty within a generation. With two summits of this importance within just months of each other, 2015 could be one of the most important years for our planet since the end of the Second World War, but only if we rise to the occasion.” Amitabh Behar, Indian anti-poverty activist.
Lauch Day: 15-year-olds for 2015
More than 50 countries are participating in activities to launch Action/2015. Fifteen-year-old activists are emerging as catalysts of change to give voice to the fact that the world's youth are most at risk.
• In Bolivia, three coordinated rallies in Laz Paz will bring together younger and older people, each one representing one of the core issues of the campaign – climate change, inequality and poverty.
• In Costa Rica, young people will take to their bicycles to raise the profile of the campaign in a cycle rally which will deliver the message of the campaign to leaders and the public.
• In India, young people are meeting their leaders in 15 states and over 150 districts to deliver their messages of hope for 2015.
• In New York, the Secretary- General of the United Nations Ban Ki- moon will meet a group of 15 year olds to discuss why we need global action in 2015.
• In Nigeria, 15 year olds will present their hopes for the future to Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a live concert;
• In Norway, a delegation of 15 year old campaigners from across the country will meet with Prime Minister Erna Solberg to challenge her to play her part in the summits and secure a safer future for people and planet in 2015;
• In Tanzania, 15 year olds will meet Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal to discuss their aspirations for the future and the action they want from political leaders in 2015;
• In Uganda young people will challenge the Speaker of Parliament to listen to their demands when they hand over a petition signed by over 10,000 young people;
• In the UK, some of Britain’s leading youth activists will meet Prime Minister David Cameron and Ed Miliband, the Leader of the Opposition, to urge them to seize the opportunities of 2015.
Social Media Tool Kit Options: Get Involved NOW
Sample Tweets
Twitter
Together, let's make a noise world leaders can't ignore. Follow @action2015 if you believe big change can happen.
People have the power to create extraordinary change when they come together #action2015
Want to see real change in 2015? We can do this. #action2015
2015 is the year we choose to leave no one behind #action2015 http://bit.ly/...
Facebook
When the Millennium Development Goals were set 15 years ago, Twitter and Facebook didn’t exist. Now we have the power to use them to call for real change in the world. Let’s use it. #action2015
World leaders can't ignore millions of voices calling for change. To make a difference to the future of the world, join action/2015 NB Tag the words action2015 so they directly link to: https://www.facebook.com/...
Find out more about what we’re doing as action/2015 launches and throughout the year.
Twitter
Connect with @action2015 to see how we can make real change together this year. #action2015
@action2015 launches 15th Jan. We’ll be campaigning together for change through 2015 and beyond #action2015
Facebook
Stay tuned for how you can support action/2015 over the next few months. NB Tag the words action2015 so they directly link to: https://www.facebook.com/...
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The Climate Action Hub
Building upon the momentum generated by the People's Climate March, The Climate Action Hub focuses the energy and ideas that converged around the 2014 UN Climate Summit to engage civil participation in local, regional and global climate action. The Hub showcases NGOs, eco writers, scientists, bloggers and YOU in a group mission to amplify messaging and promote action on such issues as climate justice, sustainable development and clean energy. It will also serve as a forum for educating and informing the wider public and expand the civil movement to ensure success at the 2015 UNFCCC Paris Climate Summit. Please add any information on climate actions in comments below.
The Climate Action Hub at Daily Kos seeks volunteer ambassadors of climate activism to work on our 'eco swat team' in local communities and here at Daily Kos to disseminate information about the growing role of civil society in climate solutions. Join us here at Daily Kos to contribute your skills and experience. We need all hands on deck!
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