We are on the cusp of a climate safe world, but because we are not moving fast enough to cut carbon emissions, we are facing a catastrophic climate and nature crisis. Even if all the current pledges of governments, corporations, and investments are fully implemented, we are not on course for a liveable world. This crisis is unfair. The people that do the least to cause it are suffering the most, especially women and girls.
Today, a gap exists in our movement presenting an opportunity to accelerate change by reaching beyond the climate community and raising awareness united under a single vision.
We’re too dispersed in our efforts, in our communications. The fossil fuel companies are taking advantage of this, spending billions to misinform and divide us. Divided we will fail. United we can build a climate safe future for all.
This is the issue of our time, because every issue we care about is a climate and nature issue. We need everyone to join us to pressure our leaders to do more, with more urgency. We will build a chorus of voices that will help us to reach and motivate 2 billion people to ACT for Climate Justice. Ambitious but do-able.
We are Dandelions for a reason. We are inspired by the resilience of the Dandelion. Its roots are regenerative of soil, all parts of the Dandelion can be consumed, and it spreads by blowing in the wind. It has one goal - to seed more dandelions. That is our goal too.
Every movement needs a symbol. The Dandelion is designed to be the connecting tissue between all the elements of the growing climate justice movement- schoolchildren with Fridays for Future, young people protesting, indigenous peoples with their wisdom, local communities, progressive business leaders, religious leaders, artists, philanthropists- the list goes on. Women leaders will bring a new galvanising energy to this movement.
By sharing the Dandelion symbol we will grow our strength and the power of millions and millions of voices. We embrace hope, with a positive mindset and determination that our best times are ahead of us, and we will be unstoppable in securing a safe climate future for all.
When woman leads action follows. I hope you will join us.
Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland;
Chair, The Elders; Co-Founder, Project Dandelion