PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM
DETROIT, MI- Folks from across Michigan came together on September 21st in Southwest Detroit to peacefully form a human line of resistance against tar sands and dirty energy. This gathering took place on the International Day of Peace and was part of the National Day of Action against tar sands called “Draw the Line” that was spearheaded by 350.org. Actions were organized locally by various groups in over 200 places across the US and in Detroit we came together in front of the Marathon Tar Sands refinery.
We drew the line because if we want our children and grandchildren to grow up on a planet with a stable climate, biodiversity, breathable air and drinkable water, we need to quickly cure our addiction to dirty energy and transition towards clean universally accessible energy for all. It’s our duty as human beings to not stand idle as exploitative economic systems fueled by dirty energy benefit some of the world’s largest corporations at the expense of marginalized communities, from indigenous people in Alberta, Canada to schoolchildren in Southwest Detroit. It’s unacceptable that Marathon’s bottom line created the 3rd most polluted zip code in the country while turning surrounding neighborhoods into sacrifice zones for the sake of corporate profit.
Scientific consensus states that there is 5x more carbon stored in proven oil, coal, and natural gas reserves than our atmosphere can handle if we are going to avoid catastrophic climate change in the coming decades. Keeping this stuff in the ground gets interesting when those reserves are valued at 27 trillion dollars and the fossil fuel corporations will do everything they can to hold onto their power. The fossil fuel resistance is challenging that money and power with people power and truth. These destructive forms of energy have no place in our future and we will not let the greed of a few wreck the future for us all.
There is much work to be done, and some of the systems in place can aid us in this peaceful {r}evolution. The US patent office for instance could release the 5,000 sequestered patents it’s holding, that include energy innovations that could make localized universal energy a reality. We are willing to fight for a new a way of living, which works in harmony with natural systems, does not disproportionately impact people of color and low-income people, and does not force individuals to choose between a paycheck and a job that harms human health and natural ecosystems. Over 15,000 young people from across the US will converge in Pittsburgh this October for the Power Shift conference to discuss how we can amplify the movement to address the climate crises and win back the right to our future. The movement is growing by the day and is being led by young people across the globe ready to transition beyond this materialistic, market-dominated society focused solely on the pursuit of profit, towards one aligned with community resilience, racial and social justice, and preserving climate stability and biodiversity.
Jarret Schlaa is a volunteer at the Detroit Coalition Against Tar Sands (D-Cats)
