'Free us from fossil fuels' day of action

Despite its pro-poor, pro-climate rhetoric, the World Bank’s fossil fuel lending has increased 400% since 2006. What’s worse, according to Oil Change International's independent analysis, 0% of these projects were funded specifically to provide energy access to the poor. 

At the same time, the International Energy Agency (IE) predicts that continuing to pursue centralised coal powered electricity will only lower the un-electrified population from 1.4 billion today to 1.2 billion in 2030. In fact, it stated in the 2010 World Energy Outlook that in order to achieve universal energy access 70% of today’s un-electrified population will rely on decentralized renewable energy systems. 

So how do we get the World Bank to change it’s disastrous lending? The first step is updating the World Bank's energy strategy so that it is more effective in fighting poverty, reducing global warming, and environmental impacts. 

On March 1st, NGOs and activists will hold actions in London, Paris, South Africa, and elsewhere across the globe to call on the World Bank to update its energy strategy to phase out fossil fuel lending. Participants will dress up as prisoners with balls and chains, with the balls representing CO2 and coal.

The tag line will be 'Free us from Fossil Fuels.'

The Online Takeover

Can't get to a March 1st rally? You can still be part of the demonstration -- the virtual demonstration that is. We will bring the 'Free Us from Fossil Fuels' message to the gates of the World bank on Facebook, Twitter and on the World Bank's own blog. By flooding these virtual World Bank sites with comments, activists can participate in the day of action from anywhere in the globe.

Twitter

We want to flood the World Bank's Twitter account with messages telling it to stop financing fossil fuel fuel projects and provide energy access to the poor. Tweet @worldbank using the hashtag #WBDayofAction. 

Facebook 

We want as many messages as possible to be posted on the World Bank's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/worldbank. Click 'like' at the top of the page and you'll be able to leave your messages (you can 'unlike' the world bank after you have had your say).

The World Bank blog

The World Bank accepts comments on its blog. Click on the 'add a new comment' link at the bottom to leave one.

Don't know what to say?

To give you some inspiration, The Sierra Club has helpfully made some suggestions on what to write.