Stand.earth International Program Director & Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Available for Follow-up Interviews

GLASGOW - Stand.earth international program director Tzeporah Berman will speak at the first-ever in-person Countdown Summit as part of the global TED and Future Stewards initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. Ahead of the pivotal 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Countdown Summit will host leading thinkers and doers to discuss what a healthy, abundant, zero-emission future can look like, along with examples of real progress underway, and powerful reasons why this is the time to act. Berman’s talk will focus on why we need a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty in order to stop the worst effects of the climate crisis. 

When the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, world leaders--including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau--insisted we must keep global temperatures from rising above 1.5ºC. But without a singular mention of fossil fuels, the Paris Agreement has not helped to constrain fossil fuel supply and current commitments are 120% more than what is consistent with a 1.5ºC target. 

 “A Fossil Fuel Treaty will help us to wind down fossil fuels,” Berman says. “It is one of the key missing pieces in our fight against climate change and will both complement and help us achieve the goals of the Paris Accord. It’s a bold, new idea but at this moment in history we need bold new ideas.” 

The full recording of the talk will be released in the coming weeks.

TED Countdown is a global initiative powered by TED and Future Stewards to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. Countdown combines TED's signature blend of actionable and research-backed ideas, cutting-edge science, and moments of wonder and inspiration to mobilize millions to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in the race to a zero-carbon world. 

Countdown launched October 2020 via a free live virtual event featuring talks and performances by Pope Francis, Prince William, Christiana Figueres, and Al Gore as well as scientists, activists, artists, schools, and leaders from business and government. One year later—October 2021—The Countdown Summit will bring together hundreds of leaders in Edinburgh, Scotland as TED speakers share a blueprint for a beautiful net-zero future. This plan—along with inspiring stories of local action—will be amplified by hundreds of TEDx Countdown events around the world and through a special global livestream event on October 30.

Follow TED Countdown on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on the Countdown Summit, please visit: https://countdown.ted.com/summit-program

About the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. Cities such as Los Angeles, Sydney, Toronto and Barcelona have already endorsed the Treaty with more considering motions to endorse. Over 750 civil society organisations, 2,100+ scientists and academics and 101 Nobel Laureates including the Dalai Lama have also endorsed the three pillars of the proposed Treaty.

For more information on the Initiative, please visit the website, explore our Campaign Hub and view the introduction video.

Media contacts:

Ziona Eyob, Media Director - Canada, Stand.earth
ziona@stand.earth
+1 604 757 7279

Jemma De Leon, Communications Strategist, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
jemma@fossilfueltreaty.org
+1 909 536 9714