The Clean Energy Revolution Starts Now

On Sunday — the day before the Democratic National Convention begins — activists from across the country will converge on Philadelphia for the March for a Clean Energy Revolution. We’re going to call on our elected leaders from both parties to take the urgent action we need to ban fracking, keep fossil fuels in the ground and transition to 100% clean energy.

Food & Water Watch is proud to stand with over 900 organizations and thousands of people who will be part of this amazing event. And, you can support the Clean Energy Revolution whether or not you can be there in person by following the action on Twitter as it unfolds, or checking Facebook and Instagram for updates.

In the meantime, I want to share with you 10 exciting things about what is happening in Philadelphia this weekend, and ways you can get involved.

1 - Fracking is a campaign issue! For the first time ever, fracking is now a major issue in the presidential campaign - largely because of the anti-fracking movement we’ve all helped to build together! In fact, the majority of Americans now oppose fracking, and we’ll be marching because our elected leaders need to respond to the will of the people.

2 – With our allies, we delivered more than 100,000 petitions from supporters like you to the DNC and RNC in support of a ban on fracking. Despite this, both parties’ platforms fall far short of addressing the climate emergency we're in. That's why we're marching during the weekend between the conventions: it's up to us to keep demanding a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy. Sign the petition to keep fossil fuels in the ground and shift to renewable energy.

3 – More than 900 organizations from all 50 states have endorsed the March for a Clean Energy Revolution, making this a truly national movement. This is the most groups that have ever supported a ban on fracking, a testament to the growing power of our efforts together.

4 – On Saturday, there are two powerful conferences happening. At the Summit for a Clean Energy Revolution, more than 300 movement leaders will hold trainings, strategy, and networking sessions to continue the development of national and local campaigns. Also on Saturday and Sunday morning, our friends at Energy Action Coalition are holding the Northeast Power Shift conference – a gathering of students and young people working to stop climate change. 

5 – On Sunday, thousands of people will travel on buses and trains to Philadelphia for the March for a Clean Energy Revolution to demand a national ban on fracking and a rapid, just transition to 100% renewable energy. Whether you’ll be there in person, or want to show your support online, you can update your Facebook profile picture with this handy tool to let all your friends know that you’re with the Clean Energy Revolution.

6 - The March will be led by indigenous peoples and individuals harmed by fracking and extreme fossil fuel development, including partners who are fighting injustices in Philadelphia. Show your solidarity with these affected communities by taking a selfie with our “I’m Joining the Clean Energy Revolution” sign and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #CleanEnergyRevolution and your message of support.

7 - The movement for clean energy is diverse and growing. The March will include contingents representing a host of issues, campaigns or identities that have come together to form this powerful movement, including peace and climate justice, health, labor, renewables, and many more. Check out these videos from movement leaders Sandra Steingraber and Naomi Klein about why the March is so important to them.

8 - The March will be fun! There will be beautiful and powerful art pieces, banners, a marching band, the bus for progress, and lots of creativity. We will be marching from City Hall to Independence Hall, where we will build a giant fracking rig and transform it into a sun – the sun that will power the Clean Energy Revolution.

9 - It will be hot – but we’ll be bringing the heat! Weather forecasts project it to be a really hot day in Philadelphia. We are prepared with water stations, cooling stations, and other accommodations for the heat. But the real heat will be the powerful voices everyone will be directing at our elected leaders as we call for a ban on fracking, environmental justice for all, and a Clean Energy Revolution!

We’ll be sharing updates from these dynamic events throughout the weekend, and you can follow along live on Twitter, or check our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.

I also want to say thank you to everyone who is helping and has helped make this action possible. Literally hundreds of people have put in thousands of hours working to make the Clean Energy March happen, and countless others have taken action online or donated to support this effort. Thank you! 

Together, we are sending a clear message to our elected officials: we demand a future powered by clean, renewable energy, not one that depends on dirty, polluting fossil fuels. We look forward to continuing to work together as we fight for the future of our planet and the people on it.