By Savio Carvalho, 350.org’s Head of Regions
Savio has worked with human rights, development and campaigning organizations for over two decades and across several countries in four continents. He is responsible for aligning and empowering our local work across the globe.
Inequality is a dark reality in our world. Nearly one in eleven people around the world live below the poverty line – yet over the past decade the richest 1% have pocketed over $40 trillion in new wealth. And the situation won’t get any better as temperatures go up, the climate crisis intensifies and the super-rich continue to profit from business as usual. Social inequalities within and across countries will impact vulnerable communities and marginalized social groups – including women, young people, the elderly, ethnic and religious minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities and refugees – who are more likely to be exposed to food and water scarcity, poverty, health issues, conflict and violence as a result from climate breakdown. It’s not up for discussion: climate justice is a human right.
Savio in a discussion with community members in Karamoja, Uganda, 2009. Photo credit: personal archive
Over the last 20 years, I have been involved in several development, humanitarian and advocacy programmes, with allies, partners and communities including those in power in South and Central Asia, East Africa and Europe. During this time, I’ve seen first hand how the climate crisis translates into very palpable hardship to people, especially women and children at the frontlines. For example in Rajasthan, India, or Karamoja, Uganda I have witnessed the lack of water intensified by global heating impacting the lives and livelihoods of thousands, hindering access to food, sanitation, revenue and healthcare – while the richest 1% on our planet emit as much greenhouse gasses as two-thirds of the Earth’s whole population.
Being part of the 350.org team at this time is a privilege. As a global grassroots movement we are capable of achieving extraordinary things, and indeed 350.org has shown this over and over again. We know we can achieve real change, together! We are calling everyone – from the streets in New York to the communities in Uganda; from the corridors of power at the UN or G20 to you, from your own home – to join us and demand governments worldwide to #TaxTheirBillions: to increase taxation on the super rich and the fossil fuel industry around the world, and redirect their excessive wealth towards climate action.
The biggest barriers to scaling renewable energy globally and preventing our planet from keeping heating are lack of political will and finance – the resources exist, but they are concentrated in the hands of a few. There are now a record number of ultra-wealthy individuals on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list worth a record $14.2 trillion. Our governments can change this! They can help turn climate promises into climate justice – ensuring everyone can live and thrive in flourishing, resilient communities
This may sound like common sense, but it unfortunately isn’t. Otherwise, our governments, international funding agencies and banks wouldn’t be flooding the fossil fuels industry with money and incentives while the urgent investments in safe, cheaper renewable energy lag behind. The root of the problem lies in the lack of political will, and we can fix it! That’s why we are campaigning to demand our governments #TaxTheirBillions and reinvest these resources to help fix the climate crisis and power up a just renewable energy transition – investing in a future that benefits the world’s majority not the super-rich.
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For example, a minimum tax of 2% on the wealth hoarded by billionaires could levy $250 billion from the super-rich every year. With money generated from wealth taxes, we can fund essential public services, bring affordable and community-oriented renewable energy to cities and rural areas, widen energy access and drastically improve the living conditions of those who most need it. We can also build safe, cheaper renewable energy around the world at the speed and scale needed to help stop the climate crisis; we can reduce poverty, insulate homes to improve energy efficiency and guarantee access to heating and cooling systems during harsh winters and heat waves; creating a more equitable and just world with a better future for all – yes, all!
We want renewable energy that is reliable in the face of extreme weather and that is affordable and accessible for people regardless of where they live or their social status. We want to avoid the deep injustices of the exploitative fossil fuel industry by ensuring renewable development is led by the people, for the people. We know the money to fund real and just renewable energy solutions exists, and we know where it is. We must now take it! The opportunity for urgent change and action is here, at our doorstep, loudly knocking on our doors. Let’s ensure our leaders do the right thing.
Join us and demand:
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