NEW YORK, NY, USA
July 2024 was the hottest month in recorded history. GreenFaith marked the occasion by hosting Faith Week as part of a coalition-wide campaign called Summer of Heat (July 28-Aug 3, 2024), not ironically, in the midst of a sweltering heat wave in New York City.
Hundreds of people of faith and conscience participated in three powerful on the ground demonstrations and a digital action hour calling on CitiBank to:
- Rapidly phase out its fossil fuel financing in a way that is transparent and measurable.
- Scale up investment in renewable energy to a level at least four times greater than its fossil fuel financing—the minimum needed to turn the tide.
- Respect the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous communities before embarking on any projects in their territories.
- Contribute to a fund for the permanent loss and damage suffered by communities due to fossil fuel financing.
- Stop financing Formosa Plastics and the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
Sweat, Resolve, and Real Change
Religious communities and leaders are no longer willing to stand by as climate chaos and environmental injustice rages on! We stood shoulder to shoulder with frontline communities and coalition partners in the Summer of Heat mobilization: LNG Gulf Finance Hub, Permian Gulf Coast Coalition and International Monitor Formosa Alliance. And guess what? Citibank and Formosa Plastics definitely felt the heat! Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished Faith Week:
Citibank’s Financing of Fossil Fuels is Immoral and Must Stop
On July 30, 2024, twenty-three courageous clergy and faith activists were arrested at Citibank for blocking or chaining themselves to the doors of the bank’s headquarters in a prayerful demonstration. Several clergy and lay leaders spoke at pulpits at Citi’s entrance, urging the bank to enact just and loving climate policies. This action brought together 50 people from diverse faiths and was covered by Earthbeat (National Catholic Reporter) and Common Dreams.
Two days later, on August 1, hundreds of people of faith gathered once again at Citi’s headquarters in New York, rallying in a sweltering heat wave to demand an end to fossil fuel financing. The energy was electric as people of faith sang, danced, prayed, made a cacophony of noise, and delivered petitions signed by over 48,000 people calling on Citi to stop funding projects like Formosa Plastics and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that are poisoning our planet and hurting innocent people. This action was covered by the Episcopal News Service.
Faithfully Standing Against Environmental Injustice at Formosa Plastics USA HQ
On Friday, August 2 in Livingston, New Jersey, six faith and environmental justice leaders were arrested outside Formosa Plastics’ headquarters during a demonstration that called for justice for communities harmed by the company’s operations in Vietnam, Texas, and Louisiana. GreenFaith members stood in solidarity with the affected community members who were calling for justice, many of whom traveled long distances to bring their message to Formosa’s doors. This protest forced Formosa to shut down its headquarters for the day, bringing attention to the company’s devastating environmental record and the need for accountability.
These actions have demonstrated the power of collective faith and action. They wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our generous donors & grassroots volunteers. Thank you!4
The bank is beginning to shift its climate policies, and we’ve secured a meeting with Citi executives, religious leaders, and community members in September. The ball is rolling. As we look ahead, we’re more determined than ever to hold corporations accountable, demand fossil fuel divestment, and advocate for a just, sustainable future. The summer may be sizzling, but so is our resolve. Together, we’re making change happen.
