monthly climate action Tag

BANKING ON OUR FUTURE!

Four big banks–Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Wells Fargo–are helping finance the climate crisis by supporting new oil, gas and coal projects. But these banks rely on their credit card and banking customers like you to stay in business. By signing the Banking on our Future pledge, you’re asking these banks to stop funding climate chaos by the March of 2023, or you will cut up your credit card and move your money with them. If you don’t bank there now, you pledge you won’t do so in the future.

To learn more about this action and why it’s important, here is a 3-minute video from THIRD ACT: Banking on Our Future

Why this action is so important: Last year, the International Energy Agency stated that in order to meet the Paris climate targets there can be no new investments in oil, gas, or coal, starting immediately. Yet since the climate accords were signed, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Bank of America have loaned the fossil fuel industry a trillion dollars with no plans to stop. We, as their customers, have the ability to convince them to do the right thing for all our our futures.

Once you’ve signed the pledge, here are two next steps you can take to amplify the impact of this action:

First, If you do have a credit card with Chase, Citicard, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo, apply for a new credit card with a better bank now. That way, you’ll be able to switch cards by March 2023 should it be necessary. To find a good option, use Green America’s list of credit cards issued from banks that don’t lend to fossil fuel companies. Both Beneficial State Bank and Amalgamated Bank offer climate-friendly credit cards with no annual fee.

Second, share the Banking on our Future pledge with your network! Third Act has a Banking on our Future Page on their website with all the resources you need to learn about the action and share with others.

Additional Resources:

An overview of the connection between financial institutions and the climate crisis, from the New Yorker

Bank.green, a tool allowing you to check your bank’s fossil fuel financing record.

Green America’s List of fossil fuel-free credit cards.

EMAIL FOR CLIMATE ACTION TODAY!

Citizens’ Climate Lobby has easy-to-use tools you can use any time to ask the President and Congress to take action on climate. And unlike many other groups, they allow you to opt-out of getting on their email list when you use their tool, so you don’t have to increase your email burden!

Use the link below to contact your Senator, Congressperson, or President Biden and urge them to pass bold climate policies (such as a price on carbon) that reach the critical goal of 50% emissions reductions by 2030, opening a path toward meeting our aspirations under the Paris Climate Accord.

Follow the easy instructions to email your elected officials or President Biden. If you are feeling ambitious, you can do both! The more voters they hear from, the more likely it is that Congress and the President will find a way to pass climate policies that truly meet the moment.

Many powerful interests are fighting to weaken and derail these efforts. YOU can help by letting Congress and the President know you want them to pass sweeping, bold action tackling the climate crisis!

TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE!

There is one simple step you can take that many climate experts say is the single most effective thing you can do to help solve the climate crisis. Talk about it with your friends and family members. Talk about why you care, and what actions you are taking to contribute to solutions. 

There is no need to talk to skeptics or deniers. Talk to those who are concerned about climate change to some extent. As climate scientist Dr. Katherine Hayhoe has said, “The biggest challenge isn’t science denial, it’s complacency.”

Here are several resources to inspire you:

Katherine Hayhoe, Why you should talk about climate change right now, Gizmodo, October 13, 2021.

Funny 1-minute Video on talking about climate change.