Last year CorpWatch launched an initiative to redefine the global warming issue as a question of local and global justice. In November 2000, CorpWatch organized the First Climate Justice Summit in The Hague bringing representatives from communities already adversely impacted by the fossil-fuel industry from the US and Southern countries together to join the climate change debate.

"In the end, the impetus for climate justice will not likely come from within government. It is a sure bet not to come from the polluting industry. Climate justice will likely take root from meetings like the Climate Justice Summit where those most affected share their common experiences and decide to take collective action. Waiting for governments to respond may be too deadly for communities of color and the planet."

Current Focus

CorpWatch is organizing a Climate Justice Spring Tour in San Francisco, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Boulder April 19-May 3, 2001.

The Tour will feature two speakers-Oronto Douglas from Nigeria and Sarah James, Gwich'in from Alaska (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). Both are at the forefront of the movement to hold oil corporations accountable for destruction in their communities; by doing so, they are also at the front line of the battle against climate change.

Climate Justice Initiative Highlights 2000

• Greenhouse Gangsters vs. Climate Justice report, which coins the term "climate justice" and defines the issue, is released and widely distributed throughout the year.

• For Earth Day, CorpWatch releases Exposing Corporate Greenwash: An Activist Tool Kit. CorpWatch OpEds on greenhouse greenwash appear in 13 newspapers nationwide.

• CorpWatch pilots Climate Justice Dialogues-discussions with US grassroots activists linking global warming trends with the local impacts of the fossil-fuel industry-in Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico.

• CorpWatch coordinates the First Climate Justice Summit in The Hague in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol meetings, drawing 500 environmental justice leaders, activists and students from around the globe.