Media Advisory

For Immediate Release

Fossil Fuel Endgame

Raya, Henk, John and Hilda

When:
December 8, 2023 @ 3:00 PM GST (UTC+4)

Description:

This program at COP 28, titled "Fossil Fuel Endgame," focuses on the pivotal juncture humanity faces in its reliance on fossil fuels amid escalating climate emergencies. In light of UN Secretary-General António Guterres's dire warnings and the backdrop of geopolitical conflicts, this session critically examines the challenges and controversies in the global transition to clean energy. The focus is on the frontline activists fighting fossil fuel projects, the needs of island nations and international leadership towards clean energy.

Panelists:

Raya Salter
Raya Salter is an attorney, activist, and educator specializing in energy and climate justice. A member of the New York State Climate Action Council, she has testified before the US Congress and advises national policymakers on equitable climate and energy transitions. Through Facing Future TV, she brings global audiences critical discussions from the UN climate negotiations spotlighting frontline and Indigenous voices. She is Executive Director of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center.

Henk Rogers
Henk Rogers, Founder of Blue Planet Alliance, is one of the world's leading advocates for reducing, and eventually eliminating, humankind's dependence on fossil fuel.

Henk is the founder, visionary and chairman of the board at the BPA's sister organization, Blue Planet Foundation, the tireless efforts of which helped pave the way for the State of Hawaii to draft a bill that mandates all its electric utilities rely on 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Prior to focusing on environmental protection, Henk was a pioneer in Japan's fledgling computer game industry and developed the Black Onyx, the first role-playing game in Japan. He is perhaps best known to video game enthusiasts as the founder and chief executive officer of Blue Planet Software, which manages the worldwide rights to Tetris, one of the most popular video games in history.

John Beard Jr.
John Beard is an environmental justice activist who has become a breakthrough frontline leader fighting fossil fuel development. After working in the oil industry for 38 years, he turned to holding the industry accountable and became a community advocate in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas.

John is the founder, president, and executive director of the Port Arthur Community Action Network (“PA-CAN”), serving the Port Arthur/Southeast Texas area as a community advocate, focusing on environmental issues and community development.

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye
Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a Ugandan climate and environmental rights activist who founded Uganda's Fridays for Future movement. Hilda and her fellow climate activists have been dedicated to mobilizing a strong youth movement to demand urgent action towards the climate crisis. The Fridays for Future movement in Uganda is now East Africa's largest youth movement.

Nakabuye's climate activism has received international attention, having been featured as one of the prominent young women striking for climate change in various news outlets, including BBC News, Vox and Time. In 2019, she was invited to give a speech at the C40 Mayors Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark to demand urgent action from the leaders of the world's largest cities.

Where:
Dubai, UAE, Expo City, Press Conference Room 2 - Zone B6 - Building 77