To say it’s getting hot out there would officially be an understatement. NASA’s report that July was the hottest month ever recorded on the planet is another sign — we need to be doing everything we can to halt global climate change.
That’s why Greenpeace is joining communities around the country, musicians, celebrities, labor unions, social justice groups, and other environmental organizations to raise the volume on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with the Rock Against the TPP concert series.
.@BellsRoarMusic connecting #TPP to #BlackLivesMatter at #RockAgainstTheTPP in Portland. pic.twitter.com/UuclLVzlWy
— Fight for the Future (@fightfortheftr) August 21, 2016
So what is the TPP?
The TPP is an undemocratic trade deal, negotiated in secret and written by corporate lobbyists. If passed, it would have devastating impacts on everything from environmental protections, to workers rights and even internet freedom. Polluting, power-hungry corporations are hoping that no one is looking as they scheme to pass the secretive deal that would give them the power to sue the U.S. government. Corporate power grabs like this could overturn communities’ hard-fought victories to stop destructive fossil fuel projects.
This past Saturday, hundreds marched to raise their voices in opposition on there way to the Rock Against the TPP concert in Portland. They joined featured punk legends Anti-Flag, Golden Globe nominee Evangeline Lilly, and many more to shine a light on this toxic backroom deal.
Taina Asili at Rock Against the TPP Seattle
Who may vote for the TPP?
There are only a handful of Democrats in the country that could vote in favor of the TPP and two of them are in the Portland region. The concert series aims to show Oregon U.S. Representatives, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, mass public opposition to the trade deal.
Congressmen around the country are put on notice that we need them to do the right thing and vote NO on the TPP. The climate cannot afford for our elected leaders to make the wrong vote.
This is a project of Fight for the Future.
Why we need to reject the TPP?
Protecting our democracy and the environment are just some of the reasons why we must stop the TPP. The deal would open the door for increased natural gas exports — meaning more fracking — and pose significant risks to wildlife. It cuts tariffs on shark-fins, ivory, and palm oil, which would lead to more killing of sharks and elephants, and rainforest destruction.
And those dirty energy exports that would worsen our climate crisis? You can thank the fossil fuel industry for that idea.
Fossil fuel companies hope to export North American natural gas, coal, and oil to overseas markets. The TPP would help accelerate these exports by reducing tariffs and enabling them to legally challenge trade barriers, also known as cutting into their “potential profits.” This means that virtually any environmental law, permitting decision, or court ruling could be challenged by the industry and eventually overturned.
If Oregon and Pacific Northwest elected leaders are serious about climate change, they’ll take the opportunity to join millions across the globe and say no to the TPP.
