As I write this, the petition over Walmart opening on Thanksgiving has garnered more than 30,000 Signatures (and counting!). Not to mention, Walmart workers across the US calling for a strike in an effort to end the retaliation against workers who speak out for their rights.

Our friends from The Story of Stuff released this new one-minute video parodying Black Friday, which features footage of shoppers behaving badly set to a classic holiday tune. It’s a wee bit disturbing, but worth a watch!

The Story of Stuff folks encourage viewers to “Choose Family over Frenzy.” That sounds a lot more pleasant to me! Visit their website to support striking Walmart workers and to share your mall-free holiday plans.

Here’s what Chie Abad, Global Exchange’s Sweatshop Policy Analyst (and former sweatshop-worker) wants shoppers to think about this Black Friday:

I want shoppers to be conscientious about what products they buy and think about how those products were made, where they were made, and who made them. I want people to consider the working conditions of workers who make the products and sell the products. Companies should be accountable for the working conditions of its workers.

One of the Global Exchange Gift Membership packages

Your Alternative Gift Choice to Avoid Black Friday

Instead of buying mass-produced products from big-box stores this holiday season, consider avoiding the mayhem by giving the gift of Global Exchange membership to folks on your gift list. It’s the same price as a regular annual Global Exchange membership, but it comes with extra Fair Trade gifts!

There are six membership packages to choose from, including “Support a Farmer” and “Stand for Human Rights.” You pick the gift and Global Exchange takes care of the rest. Each gift membership includes:

• One-Year Membership to Global Exchange;
• Special Gift Certificate;
• Fair Trade Gift(s) that represent Global Exchange’s work towards a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

To see what Fair Trade gifts are included in each package, check them out online here.

TAKE ACTION:

Ask Chie Abad to speak to your school or church about how you can create a Sweat-free community. Invite her at Chie@globalexchange.org

• Read this new report: Socially responsible shoppers concerned about the conditions of all workers around the world should check out the new comprehensive report from Free2Work, “The Story Behind the Barcode: Apparel Industry Trends from Farm to Factory.”
• Learn more about the Walmart strike: Corporate Action Network website has a video of Walmart workers speaking out.

Chicago Teachers Strike, September 2012 Photo Credit: BLPerk/Brad Perkins

The following is a guest post by Nadia Jones:

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How the Chicago Teachers Strike Illustrates the Need for Education Reform

The recent teachers strike in Chicago sparked a firestorm of controversy in the US over many issues, chief among them being the current state of the country’s education policy. For more than a week teachers in the Chicago public school system protested against the city government’s woefully neglectful attitude towards public education.

A host of problems for educators

Educators in the city’s public schools found themselves overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenge before them, and understandably so. Many public schools in the city’s system are understaffed and have access to significantly fewer resources than neighboring private and charter schools. Many of the students in these schools come from severely impoverished families, and come to the class without a proper learning foundation to build upon. Teachers have to start from square one with many of their students who haven’t had a proper lesson from an educator in years, if ever.

Moreover, educators in the public school system in Chicago have had to endure a number of budget cuts over the years. The city simply doesn’t fund many programs, services, and staff members that other neighboring schools take for granted. City and state officials agreed and passed legislation many times over to cut funding for the arts, for physical education, for a more complete medical and administration staff, and many other services integral to a well-rounded and robust education. But the funds have decreased with every subsequent education budget.

Despite these crippling handicaps and setbacks, educators in public schools are still expected to adhere to the highest standards of teaching. They’re expected to produce star pupils and shape the minds of tomorrow with just as much skill as teachers in much better prepared private and charter schools. Public schools and teachers facing hardships often score poorly on standardized test scores, and government officials wonder why this is the case when they come up against such odds.

Some signs of progress

And so the teachers of the Chicago public schools went on strike, and miraculously enough, the city’s government started to listen to their demands. As recently reported in The Wall Street Journal, the proposed new contract for Chicago’s included a number of sensible demands, including requests for longer school hours, lessening the focus on standardized testing, and improving the teacher’s morale through fairer treatments.

These teachers’ voices are being heard, and hopefully it will start a national trend. As the WSJ article put it, teachers have “changed the conversation from blaming and shaming of teachers to the promotion of strategies that parents and teachers believe are necessary to help children to succeed.”

The problem with US education and federal spending

I’d like to conclude this piece with a brief aside about the nature of federal government spending on US education. According to The White House’s own figures, there is a significant discrepancy between spending on education and spending on other services such as defense. The White House budget plan for the 2013 fiscal year allows for $69.8 billion in spending for the Department of Education, and yet they provide a whopping $525.4 billion in spending for the Department of Defense.

In other words, the federal government plans to spend over seven times more money on the military than on schools in the upcoming year. This has always been the case, but it seems particularly strange at this point in our history. We’re about to end a war in Afghanistan after recently ending a war in Iraq, two of the longest conflicts in our history are coming to a close. Troops are going home. Our schools are performing poorly and students need help to succeed. And yet the government is only increasing the education budget by little over a single percent? Something seems wrong with this picture.

What’s your take on the Chicago teachers strike and the nature of the US education system? I’d love to hear your feedback!

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Nadia Jones is a freelance writer and blogger who specializes in online learning and education policy. Nadia writes about online colleges, teacher’s rights, college student lifestyle, and student loans among other topics. Feel free to leave her comments or questions!

2012 Grand Prize, “Peace is in Our Hands” by Amanda Mckenna of Sacramento, CA

What About Peace? is a Global Exchange art contest that asks youth ages 14–20 to answer this question creatively for a chance to win prize money and wide recognition.

Earlier this year hundreds of submissions rolled into our offices, and after months of jurying, judging and photographing, last April we announced the grand prize winner.

Now here we are in October, we have a What About Peace? Facebook page for folks to “like”, and are looking forward to a brand new round of entries!

What About Peace? submissions from 2012

It’s time to start thinking about peace again. Help us spread the word about this great contest where young people ages 14-20 can showcase their talents answering the question: What About Peace?

Painting, short story, photography, graphic, poetry and essay categories are judged by a panel of artists and activists based on form and content. Because of the careful “refereed” judging process, having an entry published on the What About Peace? web site is equivalent to journal publication.

Entry forms and information are on our website, www.globalexchange.org/whataboutpeace.

Prizes will be given in two categories: written (essay, poem, short story) and visual (painting, collage, photography and graphic).

GRAND PRIZE is $1000 in any category
First Place $300 each for the best written entry and $300 for best visual entry
Second Place $150 in each category
Sponsor/Teacher’s prizes $100 for Grand prize and first prizes

Deadline: entries must be in our office by February 15, 2013.

2012 Submission: “We Stand for Peace” by Mary Hare, 17 yrs, Portland, OR

TAKE ACTION!
We’re excited that another contest is underway! Here’s how you can get involved:

• “Like” What About Peace? on Facebook;
• Help us get the word out to teachers and youth workers ready to sponsor another winner;  download the What About Peace? flyer to share with friends and family;
• Youth ages 14-20 enter today! Entry forms and information are on our website.
• Be among the first to receive What About Peace? news and updates. Sign up for the What About Peace? e-mail list.

So, how do you answer the question: What About Peace?

Update 11/14/2012: A is for Activist copies are now available at the Global Exchange D.C. Fair Trade Store or online here.

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Set to make its debut at the San Francisco Green Fest, A is for Activist is an A-B-C board book for progressive and activist families.

It’s written AND Illustrated by Global Exchange longtime ally Innosanto Nagara, who along with Design Action Collective has been designing Global Exchange materials for over a decade. (Some of you might remember the GAP sweatshops campaign?)

Global Exchange Gap/No Sweat campaign poster designed by Design Action Collective

I’ve personally worked with Inno on many projects over the years, and when I heard he had a children’s book coming out about activism, my first thought was, well, of course he does!

Inno is a true activist, design his modus operandi, and now that he’s a proud papa, I can think of no better person to create such a book.

A is for Activist is colorful and (of course) visually striking, given Inno’s background. Plus with punchy words and a worthy message, it looks like a fun read for both the reader and the wee one(s).

I asked author Inno what inspired him to write A is for Activist, and here’s what he had to say:

Well, my son turned two in June. He’s my first child, but he’s also the eighth child to be born into my home community. The eldest is now twelve, so I’ve spent a lot of time with children’s books.

The best books—the ones my son enjoys the most and I enjoy reading over and over—are the ones that have the best rhythm and cadence. Dr. Seuss books are the best example of this. The words are often made-up. The stories are wacky. But they are fun to read for the parents, and the kids are engaged.

The other books that my son enjoys are the ones with (lightly) hidden images that he can look for. Sometimes there’s not a lot of writing—just illustrations with layers and depth. “Three alligators, and two cockatoos. Can you find the cockatoos?”

Finally, there are those “theme” books that speak to the parent’s interests and values: Architecture ABCs (from our friends who are architects), Goodnight San Francisco (for those who live in SF), and so on.

This got me thinking, what would a book that did all of that for my family look like? It would be about activism, of course. The rhymes would be about stuff I cared about and be fun to read. I’d be reading this book over and over, so I’d want it to be something I’d enjoy discovering meaning in.

But more importantly it would need to be full of big, fun words and rhymes for my son. Cool words, like “Zapatista!” Oh, and the illustrations would need to be striking and layered and full of surprises for both of us. And of course there had to be a cat on every page.
 
So that’s what I set out to do.

Well Inno, mission accomplished. I’m sold, now all I need is a kid to read it to!
TAKE ACTION!

• Be sure to visit www.aisforactivist.com to find out more about A is for Activist;
• Pre-order now and take advantage of the earlybird discount;
• Check out these colorful sample pages of the book;
• Watch this video of Inno reading a preliminary copy of the book to his a-doooor-able son.

Global Exchange members & supporters, staff & interns, friends & family all mixed and mingled the night away. Below  are some highlights of the evening, plus a photo recap. The complete set of photos is now up on our Facebook page.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GX OPEN HOUSE:

Photo Booth Fun: We had a PAC (People Above Corporations) Super Pics Photo Booth, complete with props. The photos are on Facebook.

Prize Drawing winners announced: including our grand prize winner who received $1,000 towards a Reality Tour! Other prizes included a Wine Country package, Indoor Skydiving for 2 and a $200 gift basket from the Global Exchange Fair Trade store.

Thanks to all of the businesses that donated prizes for our drawing this year!

Beer and Wine: Thanks to Magnolia Pub & Brewery and Frey Organic Winery, guests enjoyed tasty spirits throughout the evening.

A Generous Surprise: Our Open House is a great time to engage with the community, AND to raise funds to support our work throughout the year. This year we were surprised with a generous matching gift donation, so for every dollar earned during the course of the evening, we were able to double it!
Food, oh, the food! Special thanks goes out to the local businesses that generously donated a wide array of delectable delights.

Plus, this was the first year Global Exchange staff and interns were invited to cook up their favorite dish to share with guests and boy did they deliver! Empanadas, muffins, bean salad, the list goes on and on. I made crab puffs:)

Staff Presentations: Global Exchange campaigners shared updates about their social justice work with guests, and GX Executive Director Carleen Pickard got the crowd excited about becoming Global Exchange members.

And this offer is still good> Join Global Exchange for $35/year and we’ll send you a gorgeous customized Global Exchange tote bag from Handmade Expressions women’s cooperative in India, a No-Nonsense Guide book and a bag of Equal Exchange chocolates!

Guests Voted! Open House guests were able to directly practice democracy at the event’s “Elect Democracy Voting Booth” where they voted on future projects for our Elect Democracy campaign. Results forthcoming!

New GEMS! We welcomed some new GEMS (Global Exchange Monthly Sustainers) to our growing network of supporters. It’s not too late to become a GEMS now!

Guests shared “What Democracy Looks Like”: We had a wall where folks could share their thoughts about democracy for all to see. We’ll be sharing some quotes from that, also forthcoming.

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Tex (left) with Fair Trade Stores Director Jocelyn (right)

So there’s your handful of Open House highlights. I’ve attended many Global Exchange Open Houses, and this year was the best one yet. (I swear I don’t say that every year!)

Special thanks to all of our guests and volunteers for making the event such a success, along with all the businesses who donated food, drinks, and prizes. Hope to see some of you next year!

Now for the best part…PICTURES!!! You can view them all on our Facebook page here.

PHOTO RECAP OF GX OPEN HOUSE:

Zarah, Kylie and Ashley, your friendly Open House Greeters!

Arriving guests signing in at the front

Then the hugging began!

and continued throughout the evening!

People started meeting people…

and chatting away…

more chatting!

Then there was the food. Oh, the food!

there were all sorts of yummy things to dip and dunk and munch and nibble!

and refreshing, cold beer and local organic wine

Guests got to vote!

Some guests shared what they thought democracy looks like on our wall.

The Photo Booth was a lot of fun!

for lots of people!

Check out GX former staffer Sally dancing with GEMS (Global Exchange Monthly Sustainer) Tom last year, then re-enacting their dance again this year. What a hoot!

Global Exchange staff had the opportunity to showcase some of the work they are doing. Pictured: Dalit and Drea

Carleen got her soapbox (er, chair) moment to share with the crowd our $35 membership gift offer. (which includes that beautiful bag pictured on Carleen’s shoulder)

Hillary spoke about our Elect Democracy campaign and tools such as the Legislative SCORECARD pictured in her hand

Cosmo the dog made an appearance, along with his parents. (Click on this photo to check out his photobooth pic on Facebook, it’s pretty groovy!)

Zarah poses with Design Action friends who showed up in awesome form

GX Fair Trade Store staff know how to pose, and it shows!

Chandrika, Leslie and Jessica perfectly posing!

and finally, GX Executive Director Carleen Pickard shares a pic with former board member towards the end of the night.

TAKE ACTION!
Now that you’ve seen some of the great work we do (and how much fun we have doing it) I would like to formally invite you to join the Global Exchange family. Consider becoming a GEMS today. You won’t regret it.

Blog Action Day is an annual event that’s been going strong since 2007. The goal, to have bloggers from all over the world post on the same day about the same issue, an issue that impacts us all, in order to raise awareness, inspire dialogue and enable social good around the chosen issue.

For more on the history of Blog Action Day and who’s behind it (besides all of us bloggers!), visit the Blog Action Day website.

Last year we proudly partnered with Blog Action Day and blogged about food, the year before we blogged about the issue of water. Other past Blog Action Day themes include the environment, climate change, and poverty.

The Blog Action Day theme this year is ‘The Power of We.’ Given our tagline “Building People to People Ties,” we couldn’t be more thrilled to blog about the power of we! So on October 15th look for our Blog Action Day post right here on our People to People blog, or even easier, subscribe to our blog and all of our posts will be sent to you automatically!

TAKE ACTION! Here’s how you can get involved in Blog Action Day:

Register your blog: If you would like to take part in Blog Action Day, register your blog on the Blog Action Day website and publish your blog post about “The Power of We” on October 15th.

More info: Visit the official website for details.

Need content help? If you’re looking for some fantastic content to incorporate into your post, there is a great compilation here.

For those on Twitter, you can follow the hashtag #BAD12 for Blog Action Day updates before, during and after the event.

Remember to check back here on our People to People blog and on Monday October 15^th  to read our post about the power of we in honor of Blog Action Day.

Javier Sicilia and fellow activists during Peace Caravan in L.A.

The Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity is on the road! Starting on Sunday August 12th, the Caravan lead by Javier Sicilia and Mexico’s Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity is traveling across the United States calling for an end to the drug war.

Who’s behind the Caravan? The Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity and Global Exchange are proud to partner with a broad, growing coalition of groups dedicated to changing our national debate on the Drug War.

More than 80 victims of Mexico’s drug war who traveled across the US/Mexico border to take part in the Caravan have been joined by others (including some Global Exchange staff and interns) north of the border to urge the U.S. public to rethink the failed strategies of the war on drugs. Victims of the violence in Mexico are speaking at stops along the way, to share their testimonies of suffering and courage.

John Lindsay-Poland of Fellowship of the Reconciliation getting tied up during action in front of L.A. city hall.

Global Exchange’s Zarah Patriana who is in LA with the Caravan described the scene today; “The weather continues to be hot, but the caravan marches on!”

Caravan participants gathered at City Hall for a portion of the day’s ‘s activities. A handful of activists including GX friend John Lindsay-Poland of Fellowship of the Reconciliation got tied up for an action in front of city hall representing the number of people who have disappeared — desaparecidos.

Earlier in the morning the L.A. City Council passed a resolution supporting the Caravana.

In the news…

There has been a ton of press coverage for the Caravan thus far. Here’s just a sampling:

• CNN: Mexican poet prepares U.S. peace march
• LA Opinión: Hollywood joins the Caravan for Peace headed by Sicilia (Spanish)
• The Nation: Can the Caravan of Peace End the War on Drugs?
• Los Angeles Times: Mexican activist, poet brings Caravan for Peace to U.S.
• AFP: Drug war ‘peace caravan’ woos Hollywood

Listen Up!

This Soundcloud audio clip from KPFA 94.1-FM in Berkeley is a great listen! Victims of US/Mexico Drug War Lead Caravan for Peace  

Picture this:

Check out some of the photos from the Caravan journey thus far on Facebook  or Flickr.

TAKE ACTION!

Follow the Caravan on…

• Twitter: @CaravanaUSA
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Caravan4Peace
  
• Caravan for Peace website:  caravanforpeace.org
  
• Global Exchange People-to-People blog: Caravan Road Reports or Subscribe via RSS to receive new posts automatically

Lend Your Support: Donations are still being accepted to help fund this important trip. Will you give?

Chevron Fire August 6, 2012 Photo Credit: Noah Chandler www.NoahChandler.com

Last night, in our own backyard, Chevron’s refinery in Richmond, CA had an explosion and fire. Though damage reports are still coming in, luckily no refinery workers or local residents were killed.

We’ve gathered some photos of the Chevron explosion on our Facebook page.

Chevron Fire August 6, 2012 Photo Credit: Noah Chandler www.NoahChandler.com

During our weekly staff meeting this morning, Global Exchange staff and interns shared and discussed what happened. Some staff and interns live in close proximity to the refinery. Kara from our Fair Trade Store in San Francisco witnessed the actual explosion and resulting fire. Many of us saw plumes of black smoke enveloping the east bay sky. Zarah thought a bomb had gone off. Drea expressed concern about breathing in the toxic air, even today.

Hearing the emergency broadcast system announcement on the radio and learning it was not a test enlightened folks to the gravity of the situation. It was not safe to be outside in certain areas.

SF Gate reported that thousands of East Bay residents were ordered to stay in their homes with the windows and doors closed following the explosion.

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is documenting community stories to build better protocols in the future, because as they assert:

The multi-lingual warning systems that APEN and our allies fought for and won, failed. Many residents reported not being properly notified and are now experienc(ing) dizziness, headaches and other symptoms of exposure to toxins. We want to document community experiences so we can assure that better systems can be in put into place in the future. 

Global Exchange is part of the True Cost of Chevron Network, and staffers here are well aware of Chevron’s ongoing atrocities around the world. But when it wafts into the air we breathe, it really hits home, as it has for so many other communities affected by Chevron over the years.

Not surprisingly, Global Exchange just recently named Chevron in our 2012 Most Wanted Human Rights Violators List because “The petrochemical company Chevron is guilty of some of the worst environmental and human rights abuses in the world.”

So what happens now?

Tonight Chevron’s PR representatives will be holding an informational hearing about the explosion. And others are mobilizing to rally and protest. APEN explains:

In the first SIX months of this year, Chevron made $13.7 BILLION in profits. Chevron has consistently chosen short-term profit over protection of residents. For decades, Richmond residents have advocated for Chevron to replace its old equipment as soon as possible. Chevron refused to simply update its unsafe equipment and instead attempted to deceive the community and EXPAND its facility in Richmond. The project was really about building the infrastructure to refine heavier and dirtier grades of crude oil.

We think that Chevron will trot out the “refinery safety” Trojan horse once again. You, me, we can not allow them to succeed. We will always oppose any project that adds more pollution and puts our community at risk – will you join us? Chevron is holding a community meeting tonight at 6 PM and APEN will be there rallying before the meeting. Our members and allies will speak at the meeting to tell Chevron what their pursuit of profits has cost our community. Join us in holding Chevron accountable for the unacceptable health risks they expose the Richmond community to.

TAKE ACTION!

 Public town hall meeting/Q & A about the Chevron refinery explosion and fire: Tonight, August 7th at 6 pm in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium (403 Civic Center Plaza in the city of Richmond) – people are encouraged to attend.  Please bring signs in support of community health and people over profit! Community partners joining to protest and rally this evening include APEN, along with Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), and others. They’ll be in front of the Richmond Memorial Auditorium 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond at 5:30 pm TONIGHT. Click here for details.  

You can also find info about tonight on this Chevwrong meeting Facebook event page.

Spread the word!  To spread the word about the meeting and rally tonight, tweet this!

RESOURCES:

• Reporters seeking expert analysis regarding the Richmond Chevron refinery explosion and fire: click here for contact info.
• CBE’s press contacts: http://www.cbecal.org/media/cbe-updates/

Donated veggies awaiting Global Exchange staff

Summer Lovin, Had Me a Raddish

It’s going to a be a tasty, healthy summer here at Global Exchange thanks to local farmer Jamie Lee who came up with the idea to generously donate fresh veggies from his farm to Global Exchangers each week during his 22 weeks of harvest. (The sign says 27, but the sign was wrong:)

How awesome is that?!

Jamie’s farm is up in Mendocino, CA but he travels to Marin and Berkeley every weekend, so each week a Global Exchange staff person passes a large bag off to the next volunteer to meet up with Jamie and make the pickup. Each week we receive a different crop, most familiar veggies, with a few mysterious ones mixed in.

Carol appears happily shocked by the abundance of veggies

We are already two weeks into it, and Global Exchange staff reaction has been pretty awesome.

Check out the pics on our Facebook page.

This Occupy Mendo Food Project
 article described farmer Jamie as “a former stock broker and hedge fund manager who says he reached an epiphany about the ethically banal nature of his profession several years ago, prompting him to jettison his former job.”

Jamie, your epiphany is our reward. Thank you!

Tea Time Too?

Jessica using Vanna hands to showcase our new tea selection

As though a cornucopia of free veggies wasn’t great enough, Global Exchange Executive Director Carleen Pickard recently visited Numi Tea for a tour of its operations and the folks there sent her away with an abundance of Fair Trade, Organic tea to share with staff. When it rains it pours!

How Bay Area Folks Can Get in on Free Farm Samples

This Saturday June 23rd from 11 – 2pm  Frog Hollow will be at our San Francisco Fair Trade Store sampling its delicious seasonal fruit. So stop on by if you’re in the area.

Global Exchange is one of the many drop off sites for Frog Hollow’s weekly Happy Child CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Frog Hollow Farm is a thriving 133-acre organic farm located in Brentwood, California and home to hundreds of trees which produce peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots, olives, persimmons, apples and more!

Global Exchange currently serves as a drop off site for three local CSA farms.

Want in on the Action But Not in the Bay Area?

Also happening this weekend at all of our stores…a special Global Exchange membership only event you won’t want to miss.

In appreciation of your commitment to Global Exchange and creating positive alternatives through conscious consumption, we invite you for one weekend only to join us at our San Francisco, CA; Berkeley, CA; Washington DC; or Arlington; VA locations for a members only FREE gift and double discount!

Saturday June 23 AND Sunday June 24 enjoy a FREE bar of delicious Fair Trade chocolate and a cup of Fair Trade coffee on us! This weekend only, your everyday 10% members discount is doubled to 20% OFF storewide!

If you are not yet a member of Global Exchange join us today to join in on the fun this weekend. 

When you become a Global Exchange member you join the global family of activists working together to build a positive and sustainable future. You will receive our newsletter and action alerts, priority consideration for our Reality Tours, discounts at our Fair Trade Stores, free entrance to the Green Festivals and invitations to our events.

Your support gives Global Exchange the independence and flexibility needed to tackle some of the most compelling issues of our time.

We hope to see you and your friends and families this weekend at the Global Exchange Fair Trade Stores!

(Here’s a taste of what’s in the report. The full report will be released online following the Rio+20 Conference.)

Leading up to the Rio Summit on June 18th, Global Exchange is joining a growing number of online activists to storm the web via Twitter to demand an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

This online action is organized by our friends at 350.org and you too can take part. Here’s more about the Twitter Storm, from 350.org:

A twitter storm is brewing. This June, world leaders will gather in Rio de Janeiro for the UN’s Rio+20 Conference on the environment. Tweet #endfossilfuelsubsidies on June 18th to demand that they end fossil fuel subsidies now!

While we deliver the results of our fossil fuel subsidies petition offline, we’ll be organizing a simultaneous online mobilization to really drive home the point. Our goal is to deliver tens of thousands of messages to world leaders so they know we demand action—and if we get enough support, we might even hit the Guinness World Record for the “most widespread social network message in 24 hours.” To top it off, we’ll be projecting tweets with #endfossilfuelsubsidies in iconic public spaces in the real world, both in Rio and in capital cities around the globe.

Twitter connects world leaders, opinion makers, and regular activists all on one network. If we work together and aim high, we can make sure the right people see and hear this grassroots uprising. We don’t believe the internet will save the world—we believe that people will. Now let’s use this digital bullhorn to make some noise.

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TAKE ACTION: JOIN THE TWITTER STORM JUNE 18th!

• Join the Facebook event for highlights and updates. Then invite your friends!
• Prefer email or want to get more involved? Join their Social Media Team for updates, tips, and deeper engagement.
• 350.org has sample tweets, a tweet celebs tool, shareable graphics, and more!

If you take part in this Twitter Storm, remember to check the “Find your local time” page first to identify the correct time for you to send your tweets out.

Global Exchange is excited to take part in 350.org’s Twitter Storm. Will you join us?