Citizens call on G19: “Don’t Trump our Planet!”

*** In a colorful demonstration, citizens call on Merkel to defend the Paris climate agreement ahead of Trump’s arrival at the G20 summit in Hamburg ***

BERLIN -- Today, European heads of state were greeted in Berlin by Avaaz members who called on them to stand strong against Donald Trump’s war on the Paris Climate Accord. In advance of the US President’s arrival at the G20, the group erected a giant globe right in front of the Chancellery surrounded by citizens dressed as G19 caped climate superheroes.

Reports suggest one of Merkel’s major goals for the summit is to bring the G20 together on an Action Plan on Climate and Energy -- a key step to ensuring global climate commitments are met -- which President Trump intends to oppose. The G19 accounts for two thirds of the world’s climate emissions, and Avaaz members intend to ensure they all sign on to the Chancellor’s Action Plan.

Christoph Schott, Campaign Director at Avaaz, said:

“After Trump pulled out of the Paris climate agreement, something historic happened -- countries from Germany to China stood up to assure the world that they would act in the planet’s interests and not bow to pressure from the US. Now G19 countries have a chance to strengthen that resolve, and put the Paris climate commitments into action with or without the US. This is their moment to send a clear message that they will not Trump our planet.”

 In advance of the G20, Avaaz launched an open letter to the summit host Angela Merkel, that citizens across the globe have signed on to. The letter reads:

 Dear Chancellor Merkel,

 We reject Trump’s attempts to divide the world on climate change. And we call on you to lead us to a safe, sustainable future, with or without the USA. As you welcome the G20 to Germany, we ask you to stand up to Trump by leading the 19 remaining countries to commit to a 100% clean energy future.  As the ‘Climate Chancellor’, your leadership has given us hope that climate catastrophe can be avoided. That hope is precious. Billions across our beautiful planet are now counting on you to protect it.

Despite the US’s backsliding on climate action, 2016 saw record investments in renewables globally, up 9 percent from the year before. At the same time, solar is on its way to being cheaper than coal worldwide by 2025, and both India and China are set to reach their climate goals early.

 Contact on the ground:

• Media requests: Daniel Boese, Media Campaigner, +49 177 840 5700

• On site for interviews: Christoph Schott, Campaign Director, +49 176 992 688 21

• Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/avaaz/sets/72157682748585424