Oxfam America at the People's Climate March

Last Sunday's People's Climate March marked a watershed moment for the global climate movement and for the Oxfam Action Corps as well.  Here we capture the sights, sounds, and headlines from the march and the summit.

A huge thank you is due to Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford and Liz Tillman of Oxfam Action Corps NYC for their leadership in mobilizing volunteers and working with staff from Oxfam International, as well as to our intern support led by Kaoru Inoue.

The March

Oxfam's spirited presence at marches in NYC and all around the world are captured in pictures and tweets in this Storify.  More of our people and action in NYC can be seen at this Twitter search.

Oxfam's contingent was among the most animated of the march. Afterward in a thank you note to volunteers, Jennifer wrote that "more than 200 supporters from all over the United States wore Oxfam T-shirts and marched with messages, while hundreds chanted slogans as they demanded action and solutions. This is evidence of your recruitment efforts and time dedicated to the People's Climate March."

Grammy-awarded singer and Oxfam Ambassador Angelique Kidjo gave this powerful interview live at the march to Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!

Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford (2nd from right) with Oxfam staff and interns

The Summit

The day-long government summit at the UN aimed to infuse energy into the lead-up to climate treaty negotiations in Paris in 2015.

In its concluding press statement, Oxfam noted the "partial and piecemeal" government response, adding that "if leaders leave New York with the voices of the thousands who marched here ringing in their ears, it may yet prove a turning point." Oxfam welcomed new commitments to the Green Climate Fund but noted that they amount to a fraction of the $15bn promised in time for the COP20 in Peru this December.

From the Guardian blog, here is a partial summary of outcomes from the day:

France joined Germany in pledging $1bn of climate aid over the next few years

A number of smaller developed economies pledged almost $300 million to the Green Climate Fund

US president Barack Obama pushed China to redraw the "old divisions" between rich and poor nations and take on the responsibility of a "big nation"

Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli committed to double the country's contribution to a "South-South" fund which will help developing nations adapt to climate change.

A major declaration on forests was signed by 27 governments and more than 100 companies and organizations. It committed to end global deforestation by 2030

Meanwhile, global businesses convened a new progressive coalition called "We Mean Business," whose website is found here, and an Oxfam reaction here.

Looking ahead to COP21 in Paris 2015

Oxfam's policy lead on climate and megaphone barker extraordinaire, Tim Gore, blogged about the movement's next steps (and includes a fantastic photo of our Jennifer leading the march with him!)

Liz Tillman (center) amid her legion of volunteers and staff

Oxfam Action Corps Iowa's Games

Action Corps Iowa has had many successes at tabling events and we found their secret weapon: a handmade Oxfam Jenga set! 

"If you build it, he will come.”

Okay, so maybe I stole that line from the iconic 1989 fantasy-drama film Field of Dreams which has absolutely nothing to do with this blog post.  Yet, allow me to modify the quote to its more recognized misquoted form, “If you build it, they will come.”

I’m talking, of course, about that delightful family-friendly tabletop game called Jenga. True story. How so? Easy! For those unfamiliar with Jenga, players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower constructed of 54 equally sized blocks. Each block removed is then balanced on top of the tower, creating a progressively taller yet less stable structure. Make sense? Good!

Are you ready to have your mind blown? Jenga is derived from a Swahili word meaning “to build”.

Therefore…“If you Jenga, they will come.”

 Read more of Oxfam Action Corps Iowa's blog post for a fun yet enlightening way to educate others on Oxfam and its mission!

If you would like to create your own Oxfam Jenga set, all you need is $20 for wood, a circular saw and the instructions, found here.