Democracy Now! Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The world stands at a critical juncture as global CO2 emissions have surged 65% since the first COP, yet a new coalition of over 50 nations is gathering in Colombia to break the deadlock of stalled UN climate negotiations. At the heart of the crisis is a stark reality: fossil fuel dependency is not just driving climate change but also fueling war, as seen in the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—vital for a fifth of global oil. Kumi Naidoo, president of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, argues that decades of mopping up climate disasters without turning off the tap of fossil fuel addiction must end. He calls for a bold, science-based phase-out plan outside the consensus-driven UN process, inspired by past treaties like the landmine ban. Meanwhile, in Canada, Avi Lewis, newly elected leader of the NDP, is championing an eco-socialist vision to rebuild a sovereign, equitable economy—challenging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pro-extractive policies and calling for public ownership of housing, telecoms, and groceries. In the U.S., Congressmember Delia Ramirez is fighting to protect DACA recipients amid a wave of deportations, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the judiciary and demanding subpoenas of key officials. The episode reveals a global reckoning: climate, justice, and democracy are no longer separate struggles but interwoven fronts in a fight for survival.