Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Activists around Europe #RiseUp for a cleaner future

Blogpost by Cristiana De Lia

It was only two years ago when, during the Paris Climate Conference, we displayed our first giant Sun in Paris to demand that our world leaders tackle climate change by replacing dirty fossil fuels with clean renewable energy.
As the Paris climate conference enters the closing stretch, Greenpeace activists create a solar symbol around the world-famous Paris landmark, the Arc de Triomphe, by painting the roads yellow with a non-polluting water-based paint to reveal the image of a huge shining sun. This action reminds politicians and governments that whatever they agree in Paris, the only credible way to beat climate change is to support and increase renewables energy systems.COP21: Arc de Triomphe Sun Action in Paris. 11 December, 2015
With world leaders finally agreeing on historic steps to protect the climate, the sun became a symbol of those promises and the symbol of our battle for a healthy, renewable future.
Last June, we marked the beginning of Summer with a sun in Barcelona to remind our leaders of their Paris promises. Another Sun also rose in Croatia to make sure the world remembered the potential of solar energy.
On occasion of summer solstice twenty Greenpeace activists have painted a gigantic 50-meter-wide sun in Barcelona's Francesc Maciá square, in the heart of the city, to support renewable energies and demand access to clean energy for all citizens. The activists have used more than 2000 liters of ecological paint to trace the yellow sun surrounding the square.Sun Action in Barcelona. 21 June 2017.
Last week, peaceful activists turned iconic public spaces in europe into giants suns. They appeared in Hungary and Romania, from Bulgaria to Slovenia, and all the way to Brussels.
Greenpeace activists display a huge sun with the text #RiseUp under the Liberty Statue in Budapest and create a spectacular view from above to remind European leaders of their commitment to the Paris Agreement to promote renewable energy and tackle climate change.Sunrise Action in Budapest, Hungary. 4 October, 2017
This week, 65 activists from five countries unfolded a giant banner just outside the headquarters of the European Commission  in Brussels. It said, "Go solar!". This was the latest sun to shine in Europe and call upon EU leaders to throw their weight behind renewable energy and to abandon dirty fuels, like coal.

Our leaders in the EU are currently deciding the future of our energy system by reviewing a wide range of legislation on renewable energy policy, fossil fuel subsidies and the design of the electricity market.
More than 20 activists from 5 different countries painted a giant sun in Pernik, one of the two major Bulgarian coal regions, to send an important message: Make renewable energy available for all European citizens. This activity is part of the European Energy Transition (EET) week of action, with "suns" being created in several cities in Europe to celebrate renewable energy and remind European leaders that now is the time to act on their climate promises.Sunrise Action in Pernik, Bulgaria. 6 October, 2017
This means they could decide to stick to the old, dangerous and outdated energy system by pouring billions of euros of our money into dirty fossil fuels. Or they can invest in clean, sustainable, healthy renewable energy.
With so much renewable energy at our disposal, it is important we remind our leaders to make the right choice and commit to a cleaner future for our planet and our health.
Greenpeace activists formed a big sun on the Prešernov square in the center of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. We called upon our national and European leaders to act on their climate promises, phase out fossil fuels and support renewable energy sources. The activity is carried out during a week of action throughout the European Union countries, where similar sunrises will be displayed.Sunrise Action in the Center of Ljubljana, Slovenia. 5 October, 2017.
Ordinary people, cooperatives and small businesses are ready to take part in the energy revolution, by producing energy from wind, water and sunlight.
We met some of these people and only few weeks ago we took their message to the members of the European Parliament.
European Union headquarters in Brussels overlook a giant banner calling for citizen-powered renewables in Europe, as activists urge the EU to dump fossil fuels like coal. Activists also painted the roads in the EU quarter of Brussels with biodegradable yellow paint to turn the Schuman roundabout into a giant sun, but this was removed by the fire brigade.Sunrise Action in Brussels, Belgium. 9 October 2017.
But right now, we need your help to really make sure our voices are heard and that Europe becomes the symbol of a new energy era in the fight against climate change.
 #RiseUp with us and sign our call to Europe here and don’t forget to share this Facebook video with your friends and family!

Cristiana De Lia is an Engagment Strategist with Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe
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