Tell the White House to prioritize climate justice!
Earth Day is April 22, 2022
Our Jewish values compel us to do all that we can to prevent the destruction of our planet. The concept of bal tashchit — “do not destroy” — guides us in the face of growing environmental devastation to urge our leaders to protect the land and water humanity depends on and to support climate activists on the frontlines of this crisis.
The rural communities AJWS supports in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean are bearing the brunt of droughts, storms, floods and more — even though they’ve done the least to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. As Indigenous People and peasant farmers, they know how to manage the land sustainably, if only the people in power would listen.
Take action to repair our world: Add your name to our open letter calling on global leaders to protect the environment and stand with Indigenous communities defending our land and water from destruction.
Dear President Biden and Vice President Harris,
I am writing to underscore the importance of taking decisive action to address the climate crisis. As we witness the growing threats of runaway greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, increased natural disasters and the warming of our planet, we must act now by putting policies in place that will slow the worsening of the climate emergency and help us achieve climate justice.
As a supporter of American Jewish World Service — an organization inspired by Jewish values that fights for social justice and supports human rights activists around the world — I cannot sit by and watch as forests become industrial farms; Indigenous communities and peasant farmers are forced from their lands; and droughts, floods and other natural disasters displace some of the world’s most marginalized people. The people who are the least responsible for the climate crisis bear the largest brunt of its impacts, and wealthy nations continue to fail to take substantial action when the opportunity is presented.
I’m calling upon you and all of my elected leaders to prioritize the following policy changes:
- Phase out fossil fuel extraction, production and use, and end all fossil fuel subsidies;
- Create binding agreements to stop deforestation and industrial farming on indigenous lands and existing forests;
- Fund real climate justice solutions, such as sustainable farming and agroecology, legal recognition of community land rights, community-controlled renewable energy sources and the indigenous management of forests;
- Ensure that Indigenous People, peasant farmers and women have an equal seat at the table during future climate summits, instead of providing more platforms for fossil fuel executives.
Many thanks for your time and support for protecting our planet.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
