Strength In Togetherness 🌱

Dear friend,

As COVID-19 ravages countries worldwide, we peer ever deeper into the financial and political failures of our systems. We have seen airlines fail, oil prices hit negative for the first time in history, and the markets enter a recession at an unprecedented speed. The pandemic has shown us that our status quo was broken to begin with — it is time we establish new normals focusing on principles of inclusivity and responsibility.

At the end of the tunnel, this crisis also offers us a glimmer of hope and the unique opportunity to regroup and change for the better. Out of the ashes, we can build a world based on political and financial models that champion empathy and justice—for both humanity and for the planet that we call home. 

Encouragingly, we know that this empathy already resides within us. Since the pandemic began, people have rallied together to protect the vulnerable migrant worker communities through a slew of fundraising campaigns, and more.

In light of the country-wide lockdowns, activists have also found new and innovative ways to reorganise. Youth activists have adapted to social distancing measures by participating in #DigitalClimateStrikes across the world in place of in-person protests.

SG Climate Rally is no exception — we celebrated Earth Day (Apr 22nd) digitally, and held an online teach-in on the Chiang Mai fires with a number of inspiring activists from Thailand and Singapore. Additionally, Oliver Chua, our youngest speaker at the rally last year, released a book titled ‘No Effort Is Too Small’ which ranked 5th on the free children’s environmental books list on Amazon!

Since last year’s rally, SG Climate Rally has been awed and humbled by the growing support for changing narratives surrounding climate action and systemic change.

As we close the month of April, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for being a part of our story.  

For a better world,

U P C O M I N G  E V E N T S
SAVE THE DATES!

To continue our Solidarity Series, SGCR will be collaborating with Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) to hold another virtual teach-in about the indigenous Orang Asli communities. If you didn't manage to catch our previous teach-in about the Chiang Mai fires, the entire livestream is still accessible on our event page!

Additionally, next month we will be launching a series of online workshops.  These workshops will cover the links between the COVID-19 outbreak and the climate crisis, as well as tips on dealing with anxiety induced by these two crises alike.

Stay tuned to our social media platforms and telegram channel for more information!

S G C R  W R I T E S. . .
WE NEED A CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Many have pointed out the eerie parallels between COVID-19 and the climate crisis—namely how capitalist orthodoxies have colossally failed to tackle the pandemic. Read our article here.

C L I M A T E  N E W S
THE MONTHLY ROUND-UP

In the region, South Korea has become the first Asian country to take up the necessary pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 

The pledge includes a carbon tax as well as a plan to divest from coal investments. This is notable considering that coal represents about 40% of the country's energy mix, and that South Korea is one of the biggest funders of coal projects abroad. 

Finally, we'd like to recognise that both the pandemic and the climate crisis have one important thing in common: we are all in this together, regardless of how old we are and where we come from. 

To end off, here is a beautiful poem written by our dear friend, Michal.

Trying Times 
 

In these trying times,

That we all now face,

Where the greatest danger,

Could be a loving embrace.

To protect each other, 

We stay apart and far away,

Our friends and loved ones,

Now seem locked behind a [phone] display.

All over the world,

The situation seems so dire,

While nations fail to notice,

Our house was already on fire.

But while our skies are becoming clearer,

And polluted rivers are turning blue,

Some wonder…

What is nature, really trying to do?

It’s shown us our compassion,

And communities have come together,

Helping the ill, poor and needy,

Now more than ever!

That community spirit,

I hope will stay strong,

As we open their eyes,

To the climate crisis going on.

Whether we’re battling against corona,

Or seeking climate justice for all,

Let’s keep this solidarity,

To spur us towards our goals!

Stay safe and be well — See you in May!