Our ambitious plans to fight for a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

By Amara Possian

Photo from the September 27th Climate Strike in Ottawa. Photo Credit: Nhattan Nguyen

There are so many parallels between the climate crisis and the global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s global in scope. Historically marginalized communities are the most impacted. And corporations, including Big Oil, are trying their hardest to push politicians to put profit before people.

It’s overwhelming. But over the last few weeks, my colleagues and I at 350.org have been figuring out how we can fight these two converging crises.

We came up with an ambitious, three-phase plan to respond, recover, and rebuild through the pandemic.

1. Ensure governments respond to the crisis by putting people first — not corporations.

Thanks to actions taken by people like you, we stopped Big Oil from squeezing billions from the government. But, they’re not giving up. That’s why we will continue to use all the tools available to us to oppose any bailouts for Big Oil and lift up the needs of communities who are most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis — including Indigenous peoples, racialized folks, and frontline workers.

2. Fight for a just recovery that leaves no one behind.

We know that wealthy, corporate interests are pushing politicians to cut social services, lift environmental regulations, and relax labour laws to help the economy “bounce back.” That’s why we’re working with organizations and groups from all across the country to build a mass, people-powered movement that will fight for government action to meet our communities’ needs, generate millions of decent, green jobs, and tackle the climate crisis.

3. Rebuild with a made-in-Canada Green New Deal.

We know we can’t go back to business as usual of climate inaction and rising inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has lifted the veil on social inequities that have existed for a long time. Once we’ve recovered, we have to transform our society so that it works for everyone — not just a wealthy few. We need to get to work on a Green New Deal that works for people and the planet.

It’s a bold and ambitious plan, and we can only achieve it with your support. We’ll be in touch very soon about how you can get involved.

Big Oil and right-wing extremists are treating COVID-19 as an opportunity to advance their interests. That’s why we can’t waste a single moment

Our work at 350.org is as important as ever. If you’re able to donate to help support our ambitious plans, we’d really appreciate it.