Climate advocates call for clean energy access for all by 2030
A coalition led by Bernie Sanders and climate experts delivers an open letter to the UN urging universal solar and wind power by decade's end.
What to know
- A coalition of leading climate advocates, including Bernie Sanders and Yeb Saño, has called on global leaders to ensure universal access to clean, affordable energy by 2030, framed as both an economic and geopolitical imperative.
- Solar and wind power are expanding faster than any previous energy source, with China and California already demonstrating significant emissions reductions, but advocates argue deployment must accelerate dramatically to meet climate targets.
- The coalition proposes June 20 (the summer solstice) as 'Sun Day' to mobilize a global movement, and seeks $15-per-person donations to extend electricity access to nearly 1 billion people currently without reliable power.
“Building clean energy is now the cheapest and fastest way to slash energy bills, reduce pollution, and provide electricity access to the places that need it most.”
Open letter signatories, Climate advocates · Guardian ↗ · Sep 22
Bernie Sanders Open letter signatoryYeb Saño Climate spokesperson and open letter signatoryBill McKibben Climate advocate and columnist
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Coalition designates June 20 as 'Sun Day' to mobilize clean energy movement
The signatories announce that June 20—the summer solstice, the day of maximum solar power generation in the northern hemisphere—will be celebrated as Sun Day to kick off a global movement for accelerated clean energy deployment. The letter also calls for a $15 per-person global donation mechanism to provide electricity access to the nearly 1 billion people without reliable power.
“We will celebrate that day as Sun Day, coming together to celebrate and accelerate this great shift.”
— Open letter signatories -
first by Mastodon, 17h ago · also Guardian Environment, Guardian US
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- Our message to global leaders: we need solar power everywhere by the decade’s end | Open letter Guardian Environment · 17h ago
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There is one solitary (and very literal) ray of sunshine amidst the climate change gloom: the steady rise of solar, wind and batteries. That clean energy trinity has broken out of its Chinese base and over the last few years expanded quickly across the planet – from Karachi to California to Cuba, solar panels are going up faster than any energy…
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"At the last possible moment, with backs to the wall, we still have our face to the sun." – Bill McKibben # GlobalCarbonFeeAndDividendPetition https://www. theguardian.com/commentisfree/ 2026/sep/23/climate-un-clean-energy-2030
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McKibben argues solar represents sole bright spot amid climate political stagnation — Bill McKibben frames solar, wind, and battery storage as a rare source of hope, noting that despite record temperatures expected in 2026 and 2027, and mounting climate disasters from heatwaves to floods, political momentum for climate action remains weak. He cites China and California's emissions progress through clean energy expansion as evidence the transition can work, but warns it must accelerate far beyond current pace.
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Coalition delivers open letter to UN calling for universal clean energy by 2030 — Leading advocates including Bernie Sanders and climate spokesperson Yeb Saño issue an open letter at the UN climate meeting urging governments, businesses, and the public to provide clean, affordable energy to everyone worldwide by 2030. The letter emphasizes that solar and wind power represent the fastest and cheapest path to slash energy bills and reduce pollution.
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first by Guardian Business, 17h ago · also Guardian Environment, Guardian US
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- The climate fight has one great ally. You just can’t look at it directly Mastodon · 17h ago