The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined over 450 organizations across 49 countries in signing the following letter (excerpted here) urging nations to stop importing Russian gas in the wake of the Ukraine invasion and to transition rapidly to a renewable energy economy.
March 4, 2022
To European Nation States, the US, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea and all other importers of Russian oil and gas,
We, the undersigned groups and organisations, stand in steadfast solidarity with the courageous people of Ukraine who are fighting not only for their own freedom and self-determination but for a worthwhile world.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian Federation forces under the direction of Vladimir Putin is a clear war against Ukrainian sovereignty and independence as well as a grave violation of human rights, international law, and global peace. This invasion confronts Europe with its darkest hours of the 21st century, and confronts the world with a grimmer future. But it's exactly these times that require us all to stand up, stand firm, stand united and take bold action against the forces who willingly threaten our collective existence!
We call on you, our political deputies, to do exactly that. Use all non-violent means necessary to stop Putin and his war machine, restore peace, and end this egregious murderous aggression. Enough is enough!
The regime of Vladimir Putin is the clear and sole aggressor in this illegal war, and bears full responsibility for the atrocities committed by its war machine.
It is equally clear that this war machine has been funded, fed, and fuelled by the coal, oil and gas industries that are driving both the invasion that threatens Ukraine and the climate crisis that threatens humanity’s future.
And the world’s fossil fuel addiction, in turn, is funding Putin’s warmongering — putting not only Ukraine but Europe itself at risk.
Putin has deliberately weaponised fossil gas to increase his existing energy dominance over the European Union and to threaten European nations that would come to Ukraine’s aid. This needs to stop!
We call on you to urgently work with your European colleagues on ending this fossil fuel addiction once and for all.
We also call upon the governments of the countries outside Europe to reject and ban any import of fossil fuels from Russia and rapidly phase out all fossil fuels...