HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR OWN ACTIONS

Any group, anywhere, big or small, is welcome to participate in the momentum toward the Santa Marta Conference — in its own terms, taking account of the differentiated capacities, political space, and local context. 

Not everyone must escalate. Not everyone must mobilize. Not everyone must meet officials.

But everyone can move in alignment toward:

  • No new fossil fuels

  • A fast, fair and financed phase out

  • Negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty to manage a just and equitable global transition

Distributed organizing builds political inevitability. Here’s a “menu” of the many actions you could consider:Below are some resources to get started plan a variety of events, ranging from panels and art installations, to a national conference.

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Here’s a “menu” of the many actions you could consider

PANELS and ASSEMBLIES

  • “Just transition” Assembly

    You can structure discussions in your faith spaces, your school or your university, your union section, in your neighborhood assembly… 

    You could start with simple questions :

    • What does fossil fuel dependence mean locally?
    • What would a just phaseout look like here?
    • How is climate linked to inequality and instability?

    Then gather participants’ inputs and discuss a few next steps for the group. 

  • “Fossil-free future” forums

    You could convene to a local assembly mirroring Santa Marta, with:

    • 3–5 speakers from different sectors
    • Structured breakout discussions
    • Short closing statement addressed to Santa Marta delegates

    This is a great way to demonstrate that your community is ready for a roadmap.

  • Teach-Ins: “Why do we need a fossil fuel phase out?”

    Invite one or two experts or witnesses for a public session explaining:

    • Production gap
    • Why leaving fossil fuels in the ground matters
    • What a phaseout treaty could mean

    This is a good format for campuses and research institutions.

  • SPECIAL: If you are a teacher or a student

    Bring your your students, classmates, or colleagues together and:

    • organize a postcard campaign: send postcards displaying the future you’d want to Santa Marta’s participants
    • organize your own Santa Marta conference: bring students, parents and teachers together to discuss what a fossil free future would look like 

PUBLIC VISIBILITY & SYMBOLIC ACTIONS

  • Build a public “SANTA MARTA” board

    Install a board in a public space: “What would a fossil-free future look like here?”

    Collect messages and send them to Santa Marta.

  • Display your climate laundry line

    Together with your friends, community… hang illustrated sheets showing:

    • Fossil fuel harms
    • Peace messages
    • Local transition visions

  • Candlelight vigil for peace & climate

    This is a way to honor:

    • Communities harmed by extraction
    • Climate disaster victims
    • Conflict-affected regions

    It links the fossil fuel phaseout we want to justice and peace.

CULTURAL & CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS

  • “Human microphone” readings

    You could read excerpts on:

    • Production gap data
    • Peace framing
    • 1.5°C necessity

    Collective repetition builds energy and media visuals. You could consider doing the readings in a symbolic place, your town hall square for instance.

  • Art installations

    Build symbolic installations:

    • Abandoned oil barrels
    • Collapsing pipelines
    • Melting coal sculptures

    Sample Message: The fossil era is ending now.

MOVEMENT-BUILDING ACTIONS

  • Cross-sector climate & peace roundtables

    Bring together:

    • Trade unions
    • Faith leaders
    • Youth movements
    • Indigenous representatives
    • Small business leaders

    Sample goal: writing a joint declaration addressed to Santa Marta

  • Worker transition dialogues

    Hold forums on:

    • Just transition planning
    • Public investment in renewable energy
    • Skills transfer

    Sample goal: to signal that fossil fuel phase out is economically manageable and socially desirable.

  • Youth & elders solidarity gatherings

    Intergenerational gatherings are great to frame the fossil fuel phase out as a matter of legacy and responsibility. You could bring together : 

    • Youth climate activists
    • Retired workers
    • Community elders

    Organize a conversation on the future youth want, and how elders can help them to build it.

ESCALATION OPTIONS (IF POLITICAL SPACE ALLOWS)

  • Peaceful Sit-InsPeaceful Sit-Ins

    When you feel it possible, sit-ins inside or outside institutions tied to fossil fuels are a strong tactic to reclaim accountability and action.

    Clear demands:

    • No new fossil fuel expansion
    • Public support for Santa Marta roadmap
    • Negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty

  • Nonviolent office occupations

    Time-bound (it can be quick, a few minutes) symbolic occupation with:

    • Media presence
    • Photos and videos
    • Social media live coverage
    • Clear messaging
    • A planned and managed exit strategy