Global Citizen Festival & Climate Week NYC Highlights / Upcoming Events / New Reports
Dive into the highlights from the recently wrapped 2024 Global Citizen Festival and Climate Week NYC! Plus, check out upcoming events—both virtual and in-person—as well as new writings and reports.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Wow—what a week! Climate Week NYC was intense, and it all culminated with the Global Citizen Festival this past Saturday night. As I mentioned in my piece for Forbes.com at the start of the week, this year’s Climate Week events surged by 50%, and it definitely felt like it! Today has been a much-needed day of rest with Xinyi and Miki, especially as I’ll soon be heading to Abidjan for the Economic Development Assembly on October 9-10. (If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join us by registering here!)
A quick update on the book tour. During Climate Week, From Ideas to Impact had the honor of being featured in the front window of Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue (yes, we’re on Fifth Avenue now!). Per their LinkedIn post, Barnes & Noble sold out of copies! And so Sabrina Elba (who, along with Idris, wrote the book’s foreword) and I stopped by to sign a few more copies. If you’re still in New York and don’t have the book yet, you can grab a signed copy there at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue!
Speaking of Idris and Sabrina, they’ve graciously signed a few special copies for Global Citizen action-takers (and for a few auctions I’ll support for various charity causes in the near future!). I’ll share more details in the coming days, but right now, you can enter a special drawing on the Global Citizen website and app for a chance to win a signed copy from me by taking action. If you haven’t picked up From Ideas to Impact yet, it’s also available on Audible and Amazon. And if you’ve already read it, I’d deeply appreciate a review on Amazon or Goodreads—those reviews really help first-time authors like me gain visibility.
A big thank you to Devry Sustainable Strategies in Minnesota for selecting From Ideas to Impact as the inaugural book for their new book club! Devry shared the following:
As you read, you begin to understand his leadership lesson about why setting policy goals matters and the best ways to set achievable goals. Mick rallies his readers to become part of the solution in “A World on Fire.” Don’t be fooled, however. This high-level leader does not get overtaken by Utopian ideas; he shares lessons from his leadership journey that call for “pragmatic idealism.”
Whether you are working at the community level or trying to drive a global agenda, Mick’s book is for you. He took his local bake sales and poverty projects and elevated the effort to a globally recognized brand and movement fueled by famous musicians, revered business leaders, and notable politicians.
Spoil alert: You may want to read the Epilogue first, where the story of Len, a 105-year-old WWII veteran, speaks truth to all of us. Will you “give it a go?”
Give Mick’s book “a go!” The policy arena awaits!
Lastly, if you’re in New York this coming Tuesday, October 1, I’ll be speaking at Parsons School of Design for a special event - with an incredible line up of speakers:
Join us as we dive into the future of fashion, exploring how regenerative fabrics, ethical practices, and bold incentives can transform the industry. Please register if you’d like to attend—and feel free to share with anyone who might be interested!
Global Citizen Festival 2024: Global Citizens Take a Record 3.4 Million Actions
As this impact report notes:
The festival emphasized protecting the Amazon and supporting a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, while also advocating for funding the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). Performances by musical stars like Post Malone and Doja Cat were accompanied by calls to action from global leaders, urging governments and corporations to make tangible commitments on equity, education, hunger, and the environment.
Highlights included:
The United Kingdom, Denmark and Spain committing and calling on other wealthy nations to contribute to IDA’s $120 billion funding target (which amongst other things will help support 250 people across Africa with access to electricity by 2030)
Brazil and Colombia make commitments to protect the Earth’s oceans, forests, and biodiversity
More than $500 million announced to support vaccination initiatives and humanitarian aid
Ahead of the Festival, more than 100 volunteers helped pick up more than 550 pounds of trash at New York City’s Rockaway Beach. My thanks to Goodera for their support!
For the first time, the Global Citizen Festival was powered entirely by battery storage, building on our ongoing sustainability efforts. Between 2019 and 2023, our emissions reduction initiatives have already lowered our carbon footprint by an amount equivalent to the emissions from 800 cars. The switch to battery storage is a significant step not only in reducing our own environmental impact even further but also in setting an example for others. According to the International Energy Agency, global battery storage needs to increase 15-fold by 2030 to meet renewable energy and climate targets. We’re grateful to Showpower, Coldplay, and the Equitable Earth initiative for their support in making this possible.
Bridgewater and Global Citizen-led Economic Development Assembly coming to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on October 9-10
The inaugural Economic Development Assembly: Advancing Africa’s Future is set to take place on October 9 and 10 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and is focused on mobilizing significant financial investments from G20 countries to support the World Bank's IDA21 replenishment. Click here to register interest in attending the Economic Development Assembly.
Invitation to Support Africa’s Development: Sign the Abidjan Accord
By 2050, Africa will account for 25% of the global working-age population. This growth presents a unique opportunity to lift millions out of poverty and foster global economic progress, but only if accompanied by strategic investments. IDA is key to driving this progress because it supports almost 2 billion people in low-income countries.
We are seeking support from civil society organizations, but also influential personalities and private sector to sign the Abidjan Accord, a call on donor countries to support a minimum $120B replenishment for IDA. The Accord will be published in the media, amplified on social and shared with G20 and EU leaders. Read the complete letter and sign on here by Oct 6th (and thanks to those who already signed!)
New Reports and Writings on Solidarity, Pollution & Pragmatic Idealism
The Global Solidarity Report 2024:
This year’s report sends a strong message about the state of international cooperation. A standout finding: Gen Z is less internationalist than previous generations, with fewer young people identifying as global citizens compared to Millennials and Gen X. The report sheds light on the growing sense of despair among younger generations, most likely driven (at least per other reports, articles and polls) by a widening divide in the beliefs of young men and women. Read the report here.
Polluters Should Pay: 69% of Citizens Agree
A new study by Glocalities, in partnership with Global Citizen, reveals that 69% of citizens in G7 countries (the world’s wealthiest western economies)—across political lines—believe that nations responsible for the highest greenhouse gas emissions should bear financial responsibility for tackling climate change. Interestingly, this includes a majority of republicans and democrats in the US (with a few caveats the research notes). I contributed the introduction and conclusion to this report.
Pragmatic Idealism: Finding Common Ground in an Age of Despair
In the very first installment of the Perth Dialogue series, Professor James Arvanitakis and I explore how democratic and international institutions can navigate today’s complex ideological challenges. We delve into the concept of "pragmatic idealism," discussing how it could offer a way to find common ground and tackle the major issues of our time. Those who have read my book will not be surprised by this topic considering I devote a significant part of chapter 2 to it. Check out the paper here.
Weekend Viewing
The Young Activists Summit & Global Citizen have launched a joint virtual exhibit celebrating 30 remarkable young activists. Accessible worldwide until the end of the year, the exhibit highlights the inspiring achievements of these Young Activists Summit (YAS) Laureates.
Curated by Global Citizen, the exhibit showcases how these diverse activists have made a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Explore the exhibit HERE and take action to support these incredible leaders—some of whom have been featured on our festival stage!
Global Citizen’s latest work in support of defenders and free media!
Let's start by introducing you the great work of Sri Lankan defender Suren Perera who wrote this piece for us while participating in the Breathing Program in the city of Oslo, carried out by our partner, the Norwegian Human Rights Fund.
Incredible work being done in Liberia by Adama Dempster who is fighting for reconciliation in his country after the ravages of two civil wars.
You can also check out not one, but two new additions to our Emerging Creatives Program, through which we highlight artists who use different forms of artistic expression to fight for civic space and specific issues: Areesha Khuwaja from Pakistan, and Jean-Baptist Mugunga from Rwanda.
Finally, check out this Explainer and Global Petition to the work of the International Fund for Public Access Media (IFPIM), who is working tirelessly to support and fund independent media and news outlets particularly in the global south, thus supporting the strengthening of civic space, democracy and independent journalism across the globe.
Global Citizen launches 2nd “Take Action” Collection with Aeropostale
Ahead of the U.S. general elections, Global Citizen and Aéropostale launched the Aero x Global Citizen Vote Collection, inspiring young people to be engaged citizens and future voters. From graphic statement tees to comfy sweats, this collection has all the election essentials to support the younger generation of voters!
Check out our post on IG & LinkedIn and spread the word!
Until next time!
Mick