Our hearts are heavy witnessing the recent attacks in Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, Ankara, and Yola.
In the wake of this tragedy, Paris will host crucial UN climate talks, and the Climate Ribbon will be there to create ritual space to grieve and mourn what we have lost and are losing to climate change, and commit to courageous action, together.
There are many shrines and memorials happening throughout Paris in response to the tragedy, much like the public memorials after 9/11 in NYC, which were part of the original inspiration for the Climate Ribbon.
While the French government has announced that some of the major climate mobilizations will be cancelled, we are heading to Paris to exhibit the Climate Ribbon as planned at sites throughout the city.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny.” We know that unchecked climate catastrophe makes a fertile breeding ground for greater displacement and violence. As agricultural land disappears, more people will be without food. This desperation fuels wars, as it has done in Syria. We stand to lose more than our coastlines and fields.
This interconnectedness shows up on Climate Ribbons: “The kindness among strangers,” “Safety for my grandchildren,” and “My country, Syria.” The Climate Ribbon Tree is an emotional memorial that welcomes and embraces everyone.
What will your ribbon say?
There’s still time to mail in ribbons to be included in this mass public ritual.
Send ribbons to us in Paris by December 4 (but the sooner the better).
You can also submit a ribbon online here and we will hand write your ribbon in Paris.
Will you or someone you know be in Paris? Join our Climate Ribbon team help make this meaningful ritual happen. Sign up here.
You can also bring the Climate Ribbon to the local solidarity Climate March near you on November 28-29.
The Climate Ribbon Tree — whose leaves will be ribbons inscribed with messages of climate love and loss from around the world — will be part of two weeks of mobilizations surrounding the UN Climate Summit.
Together, the love and commitments represented by each ribbon weave a giant thread connecting all of us as we work for a healthy, sustainable planet.
Related statement in response to the recent attacks: