Avaaz helped Japan climate shift
The paper reports that at a critical, high-level meeting on global warming, the Environment Minister held up Avaaz's "Titanic" newspaper ad from the Bali summit--showing Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda, with Bush, steering towards climate disaster... along with a call for tough 2020 emissions targets, signed by 90,000 Avaaz members.
"The world sees Japan as a force resisting change! Are we okay with this?" the minister asked. The Chief Cabinet Minister suggested setting a target. Days later, Prime Minister Fukuda announced his decision: at last, Japan would set a 2020 emissions target!
This is a genuine victory. Japan is a huge polluter, a key Bush ally, and host of this summer's crucial G8 summit. Congratulations to everyone for the positive role we all played!
This story is also a great example of why Avaaz works. Global public opinion is powerful--but to make a difference, our voices have to reach decision-makers quickly. We had just hours to create Titanic ad after Japan took its position at the Bali summit. That's why we're launching a "Crisis Action Fund", so we'll have the money on hand when we need to act. Can we raise 50,000 Euros this week? Click below to make a totally secure donation:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php
To stay independent, Avaaz takes no money from corporations or governments--so building the Crisis Action Fund is up to individual Avaaz members. This fund will help us take effective action wherever necessary, in Pakistan, Kenya, Gaza, or places we can't predict.
It could pay for rallies in cities across the globe; it could buy vital communications equipment for endangered democracy activists; it could fund emergency media campaigns... whatever will have the greatest impact when our voice is needed the most.
Japan's not the only example. Here are some other moments when rapid-response people power made a difference in 2007:
Burma: When news broke in October of the violent crackdown against protesting monks, Avaaz members scrambled into action. Within 96 hours, more than half a million people called on the Chinese government to intervene, and Avaaz ran the total count in a full-page ad in one of the most influential global newspapers. Shamed, China successfully pushed Burma to start talks with the UN and with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Burma campaign continues to build.
Global poverty: When World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz's personal corruption undermined the Bank's programme to encourage good government, Avaaz members joined the cry for new leadership. With global media looking on, we hand-delivered 50,000 signatures to World Bank Headquarters. Wolfowitz resigned days later.
Global warming: In addition to the "Titanic" ad that moved Japan, more than 320,000 Avaaz members took action in real time during the Bali summit--successfully reversing Canada's obstructionism and isolating Bush as he attempted to scuttle any agreement. While just a first step, the "Bali Road Map" set the stage for climate breakthroughs this year and next.
What urgent moments will 2008 bring? Some we can predict--most we cannot.
What we do know for certain is that the new year will bring serious threats and golden opportunities. We know that in those critical moments, acting quickly can make all the difference. And we know that if we all contribute a little bit now, we'll be sure that whatever comes--and whatever is required of us--we will be ready.
Avaaz depends on Avaaz members like you to fund our campaigns. Don't wait for "someone else" to step in--we're it. To make a secure, online contribution to the 2008 Crisis Action Fund, just click the link below:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php
With much appreciation and hope,
Ricken, Pascal, Ben, Galit, Ben B., Iain, Paul, Graziela and the whole Avaaz team
PS: You can see a scanned-in copy of the Asahi Shimbun article, as well as a blow-up of the ad we ran in Bali, on the donation page. Apparently, Fukuda's inner circle began referring to the intense NGO response at the climate negotiations as the "Bali Shock." Here's the link: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php
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ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.
To contact Avaaz write to
info@avaaz.org. You can also send postal mail to our New York office: 260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001 U.S.A.
This story is also a great example of why Avaaz works. Global public opinion is powerful--but to make a difference, our voices have to reach decision-makers quickly. We had just hours to create Titanic ad after Japan took its position at the Bali summit. That's why we're launching a "Crisis Action Fund", so we'll have the money on hand when we need to act. Can we raise 50,000 Euros this week? Click below to make a totally secure donation:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php To stay independent, Avaaz takes no money from corporations or governments--so building the Crisis Action Fund is up to individual Avaaz members. This fund will help us take effective action wherever necessary, in Pakistan, Kenya, Gaza, or places we can't predict.
It could pay for rallies in cities across the globe; it could buy vital communications equipment for endangered democracy activists; it could fund emergency media campaigns... whatever will have the greatest impact when our voice is needed the most.
Japan's not the only example. Here are some other moments when rapid-response people power made a difference in 2007:
Burma: When news broke in October of the violent crackdown against protesting monks, Avaaz members scrambled into action. Within 96 hours, more than half a million people called on the Chinese government to intervene, and Avaaz ran the total count in a full-page ad in one of the most influential global newspapers. Shamed, China successfully pushed Burma to start talks with the UN and with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Burma campaign continues to build.
Global poverty: When World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz's personal corruption undermined the Bank's programme to encourage good government, Avaaz members joined the cry for new leadership. With global media looking on, we hand-delivered 50,000 signatures to World Bank Headquarters. Wolfowitz resigned days later.
Global warming: In addition to the "Titanic" ad that moved Japan, more than 320,000 Avaaz members took action in real time during the Bali summit--successfully reversing Canada's obstructionism and isolating Bush as he attempted to scuttle any agreement. While just a first step, the "Bali Road Map" set the stage for climate breakthroughs this year and next.
What urgent moments will 2008 bring? Some we can predict--most we cannot.
What we do know for certain is that the new year will bring serious threats and golden opportunities. We know that in those critical moments, acting quickly can make all the difference. And we know that if we all contribute a little bit now, we'll be sure that whatever comes--and whatever is required of us--we will be ready.
Avaaz depends on Avaaz members like you to fund our campaigns. Don't wait for "someone else" to step in--we're it. To make a secure, online contribution to the 2008 Crisis Action Fund, just click the link below:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php With much appreciation and hope,
Ricken, Pascal, Ben, Galit, Ben B., Iain, Paul, Graziela and the whole Avaaz team
PS: You can see a scanned-in copy of the Asahi Shimbun article, as well as a blow-up of the ad we ran in Bali, on the donation page. Apparently, Fukuda's inner circle began referring to the intense NGO response at the climate negotiations as the "Bali Shock." Here's the link:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/crisis_action_fund_2/5.php -----------------------
ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.
To contact Avaaz write to
info@avaaz.org. You can also send postal mail to our New York office: 260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001 U.S.A.
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