World Biodiversity Day tele-town hall

**UPDATE: due to the coronavirus, this will now be a virtual event**
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9015886388020/WN_BtxEmlJgQECf6X5uiyfiXw

This year it became more clear than ever that short-sightedness and carelessness in one part of the world can have global ramifications. As we cope with the crisis at hand with all our strength, we also will not stand complicit as the looming ecological crisis draws nearer. On World Biodiversity Day, we need to name names of who is bringing our planet to its breaking point--and that starts with Sumitomo.

Sumitomo tries to keep a low-profile to avoid public scrutiny, but recent research from Mighty Earth (mightyearth.org/sumitomo) revealed the shocking truth: Sumitomo is doubling-down on dirty energy, investing in coal and forest-destroying wood biomass at the worst possible time. After a year when unprecedented wildfires engulfed the Arctic, Amazon, California, and most recently Australia, the need to reduce global warming pollution has never been clearer.

Based in Japan, Sumitomo Corporation is a massive conglomerate whose activities span nearly all sectors of the economy. They also do extensive business in the United States, and own famous brands including Midas Corporation. Sumitomo could switch to clean energy tomorrow, but despite criticism they are pushing ahead with plans to build new coal power plants in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia. These coal plants will expose people in developing countries to increased air pollution, and heightened risks from climate-related disasters. When Mitsubishi Corporation sold off its coal mines, Sumitomo swooped in and bought them.

Healthy forests are critical for slowing climate change. Sumitomo is putting global forests at risk as the top importer of wood biomass to Japan. They are buying massive quantities of wood pellets from Vietnam, Canada, and even the southeastern United States, to burn in Japanese power plants. Wood biomass is making the climate crisis worse by releasing carbon that trees stored over many decades into the atmosphere at a time when we need to be reducing emissions.

Around the world, people are recognizing Sumitomo’s climate destruction and calling for them to change. As an industry leader, Sumitomo could send a powerful message to corporations globally. Thousands have signed petitions, and now protesters and Sumitomo’s own customers are rising up and demanding better.

You can help by joining our first North American action, which due to the virus will now be online. Let them know that Americans don’t want to do business with companies toasting our planet and turning forests into ash. If they want us to shop at Sumitomo companies like Midas they need to act on climate.

Petition link here: http://www.mightyearth.org/petition-tell-sumitomo-corporation-to-be-a-climate-leader/

#climate #climateaction #mightyearth #environment #biodiversity