Global climate activists met in Oaxaca, Mexico, to organize grassroots solutions and resist exclusionary UN climate talks.
In short:
- Activists convened at an “anti-COP” summit to protest the United Nations climate process, which they say favors fossil fuel interests and excludes frontline communities.
- The event focused on clean energy impacts, the global water crisis, forced displacement of Indigenous peoples and resisting the commercialization of natural resources.
- Participants crafted a roadmap for action, including increasing collaboration, advocating for marginalized voices and confronting financial interests tied to destructive climate projects.
Key quote:
“It really brought together people that wouldn’t normally be engaged in the formal COP process.”
— Jacob Netzler, Samoan activist and the Pacífic campaign associate for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
Why this matters:
Grassroots efforts like the anti-COP summit highlight growing discontent with formal climate negotiations that often marginalize vulnerable groups while prioritizing corporate interests. These gatherings foster inclusive solutions, amplifying voices critical to equitable climate action.
