Dame Emma Thompson, Gary Lineker and Mo Farah were among the stars to sign an open letter urging leaders to transition away from the use of fossil fuels
Dame Emma Thompson, sports pundit Gary Lineker and Olympian Mo Farah were among the stars to sign an open letter urging leaders to end the use of fossil fuels.
They called for an agreement to transition away from the use of fossil fuels ahead of the United Nations summit. Other stars who backed the open letter include Dame Julie Walters, Kevin Bacon, Gavin and Stacey star Alison Steadman, author Michael Rosen, Steve Buscemi and more.
Organised by Our Kids’ Climate on behalf of parents, the letter said: “The burning of fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, harming children now and stealing their futures. It is crucial that the summit makes an unambiguous commitment to a just and fair transition away from fossil fuels.”
United Nations Summit of the Future will be taking place on September 22 and 23 and has a draft agreement that looks to include a commitment to a transition from fossil fuels. Originally, it wasn’t part of the draft agreement, Pact for the Future, but it was changed and the newest version calls for a “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade.”
“To be worthy of its name, the Summit of the Future must be a reset moment,” the letter explains. “We want our children to inherit a world in which they can breathe clean air, enjoy nature, and meet their potential without threat from ever-worsening climate disasters.”
The letter concluded with: “We, the parents, simply wish for a decent future for our children, and all children. You have the power to protect what we love. For the children of today and tomorrow, we are counting on you.” Many other stars signed the open letter, including Halle Bailey, Matthew Rhys, Ray Winstone, Rosario Dawson, Simon Pegg and Annie Lennox.
Fossil fuels, which include coal, oils and natural gas, are non-renewable energy sources made from the remains of prehistoric organisms from millions of years ago. They are the main source of the world’s energy production but are also one of the biggest contributors to climate change.
Earlier this year, scientists said that humanity only has five years left to cut carbon emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change. The average global temperature is rising by 0.26C per decade, according to a new report from researchers led by the University of Leeds, which is faster than ever before.
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