Following this summer’s heatwaves, wildfires and drought, the 26 September Movement – a citizens’ collective – was formed and issued a call for a nationwide mobilisation through a climate march across France on Saturday 26 September. A Rocha invites you to take part in this nationwide mobilisation.
Why a climate march?
Climate protests are on the rise. Indeed, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident: droughts are jeopardising food production; the most vulnerable and fragile members of society find their lives at risk or endure truly unpleasant conditions due to heatwaves; many wild animals need assistance to rehydrate and survive; trees are dying; and wildfires are wreaking havoc on all living things.
Yet scientists have been warning about the climate situation for years. Since the 1990s, IPCC reports have provided a critical synthesis of scientific and technical publications on the climate. We know that the climate is warming and that this warming is linked to human activities. Even oil companies such as Total, as early as 1971, and Exxon (Esso…), as early as 1981, knew that the burning of fossil fuels released large quantities of carbon dioxide, and that the rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere was a cause for concern.¹
Given this, our leaders should take action, and society as a whole – including businesses – should mobilise to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Marching for the climate, therefore, means coming together to make our voices heard on behalf of all living things and the most vulnerable, so that concrete measures are taken.
Sachant cela, nos dirigeants devraient réagir et toute la société, entreprises comprises, devrait se mobiliser pour limiter les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Marcher pour le climat, c’est donc s’unir pour faire entendre nos voix pour le vivant et les plus fragiles, afin que des mesures concrètes soient prises.
Le mouvement du 26 septembre propose en effet un plan de reconstruction en trois volets (urgence, adaptation et atténuation) et de quoi le payer. La marche pour le climat n’a pas simplement vocation à faire entendre notre inquiétude, mais aussi à demander un passage à l’action concret.
The 26 September movement is, in fact, proposing a three-pronged reconstruction plan (emergency response, adaptation and mitigation) and a way to fund it. The climate march is not simply intended to voice our concerns, but also to call for concrete action.
Why should we get involved as Christians?
Some Christians who are wary of politics might take a dim view of taking part in a climate march. In truth, global warming is neither a left-wing nor a right-wing issue. But responding to this challenge does indeed involve decisions about how we organise our shared lives – in other words, political decisions. Now is not the time for left-right-centre debates, but rather to come together to secure a future for us all. Thus, the 26 September Movement is non-partisan: the mobilisation allows everyone to come as they are, whether they are members of trade unions, associations, collectives, or none at all. The aim is to come together to support a common cause, with kindness and respect.
As Christians, we therefore have every right to be part of such a movement. We wish to preserve decent living conditions on earth for all human beings, as well as God’s creation, and to show compassion towards our neighbours who are suffering the consequences of climate change. Furthermore, we are called to be a light in the world: the climate march is a wonderful opportunity to bear witness to our commitment and our hope, whilst helping to unite our voices for more effective action.
We therefore invite our members, supporters, local groups and ambassadors to join an existing march or to help organise one in their town if one has not already been organised.
How’s it going?
The climate march on 26 September will take place in all towns and cities where citizens have come together to organise it. Each town or city decides on its own format: a march from one point to another, a loop returning to the starting point, or a march converging on a neighbouring town or city.
- Step one: look for events near you.
Step two: if an event is already organised, join it. Otherwise, you can get involved in organising the march by registering your event.
All the organisational guidance is available on the 26septembre.org website.
- After taking part, please do tell us about your experience and share your photos with us!
1 Bonneuil, Christophe, Pierre-Louis Choquet, et Benjamin Franta. « Early warnings and emerging accountability: Total’s responses to global warming, 1971–2021 ». Global Environmental Change 71 (novembre 2021): 102386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102386.