WATCH | The People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers 2025 – We Can’t See the Sunset | Climate Justice and Just Energy Transition
On May 14, 2025, The People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers Part 2 – We Can’t See the Sunset gathered together an inspiring coalition of communities, activists, and organizations for a powerful and urgent day dedicated to confronting the ongoing energy profiteering crisis and demanding a truly just energy transition. As a critical continuation of the 2024 People’s Hearing, this 2025 event offered a multifaceted platform combining art, activism, and accountability to challenge climate injustice and advocate for equitable energy policies.
The Urgency of Addressing Energy Profiteering and Climate Justice
The global energy crisis has disproportionately affected frontline communities, where the devastating impacts of climate change intersect with exploitative economic practices by energy profiteers. These entities benefit financially from continued fossil fuel extraction and price hikes while undermining sustainable development and worsening climate injustice. The People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers 2025 highlighted the urgent need to dismantle this system of exploitation and to accelerate the transition toward renewable and equitable energy solutions.
At the heart of the hearing was the call for a just energy transition—one that ensures vulnerable populations are prioritized in energy reforms, that protects workers affected by the shift from fossil fuels, and that upholds human rights and environmental sustainability. The event united grassroots activists, legal advocates, and impacted community members to amplify their lived experiences and collective vision for a sustainable future.
Multifaceted Programme: Art, Testimonies, and Community Mobilization
The 2025 People’s Hearing was not only a platform for policy dialogue but also a creative and emotional space where diverse forms of expression helped convey the depth of the energy crisis. The programme featured:
- Powerful witness testimonies from community members who have faced energy poverty, environmental degradation, and health impacts due to energy profiteering practices.
- An evocative art exhibition showcasing visual narratives that highlighted both the struggles and resilience of frontline communities.
- A documentary screening that documented the ongoing battles against fossil fuel expansion and the grassroots campaigns for renewable energy justice.
- The launch of a new zine titled We Can’t See the Sunset, offering insights, reflections, and calls to action from activists and affected communities.
This multi-format approach allowed attendees to engage intellectually, emotionally, and creatively with the urgent message of the hearing, reinforcing the power of people-driven solutions to the climate and energy crises.
Grassroots Organisations Leading the Fight for Climate Justice
The event brought together key grassroots organisations that have been at the forefront of environmental and social justice struggles nationwide. These groups included:
- Vukani Environmental Movement (VEM) – Advocating for environmental rights and community-led sustainable development.
- Khutala Environmental Care Group – Focused on protecting natural resources and empowering local communities through education and activism.
- Womxndla Community Development – Working to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and promote inclusive energy policies.
- Mining Affected Communities in Action (MACUA) – Representing communities impacted by mining activities and fighting against environmental exploitation.
- Sukumani Development Group – Promoting community resilience through sustainable resource management and advocacy.
These organisations brought invaluable frontline insight, strategic resistance, and hopeful visions to the dialogue on energy profiteering and climate justice. Their participation underscored the critical role of community-led movements in shaping equitable energy futures.
Key Demands and Calls to Action from the People’s Hearing
Following the presentations, testimonies, and artistic expressions, the People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers 2025 concluded with a set of powerful demands aimed at government bodies, industry stakeholders, and international institutions:
- Immediate cessation of fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting funds to renewable energy projects that benefit frontline communities.
- Implementation of binding policies to hold energy profiteers accountable for price gouging and environmental harm.
- Investment in community-owned renewable energy initiatives that create jobs and ensure energy sovereignty.
- Legal protections for environmental defenders and activists combating energy injustices.
- Transparent and inclusive energy planning processes that center marginalized communities in decision-making.
The event emphasized that achieving a just energy transition requires systemic change, solidarity, and a people-powered approach that challenges entrenched power dynamics within the energy sector.
Why This Hearing Matters: Connecting Climate Justice and Energy Equity
The People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers serves as a crucial example of how grassroots mobilization can confront the intertwined crises of climate change and economic inequality. By documenting lived experiences and demanding accountability, the hearing not only exposes the harm caused by unchecked energy profiteering but also presents a hopeful roadmap toward sustainable and just energy futures.
This event acts as a beacon for policymakers, activists, and the public, highlighting that the climate emergency is inseparable from social justice and that effective solutions must uplift those most impacted. As global climate negotiations continue, the voices and visions articulated at the hearing contribute significantly to shaping a future where energy justice is a reality for all.
Resources and Further Reading on Energy Profiteers and Climate Justice
To deepen your understanding of the topics discussed at the People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers 2025, explore these valuable resources:
- 350.org – Global Climate Movement
- EnergySage – Renewable Energy Education
- Climate Justice Alliance
- UNDP Sustainable Energy Goals
Conclusion: Joining the Movement for a Just Energy Future
The People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers 2025 – We Can’t See the Sunset was a vital gathering that illuminated the deep connections between energy profiteering, climate injustice, and the urgent need for systemic change. Through art, testimony, and community solidarity, the hearing galvanized a diverse coalition committed to demanding accountability and pushing forward a just energy transition.
As the world grapples with escalating climate impacts and widening inequality, events like these demonstrate the power of grassroots voices in shaping equitable solutions. The fight against energy profiteering is far from over, but with continued activism and policy reforms, a sustainable and just energy future is within reach.
Table of Contents
- The Urgency of Addressing Energy Profiteering and Climate Justice
- Multifaceted Programme: Art, Testimonies, and Community Mobilization
- Grassroots Organisations Leading the Fight for Climate Justice
- Key Demands and Calls to Action from the People’s Hearing
- Why This Hearing Matters: Connecting Climate Justice and Energy Equity
- Resources and Further Reading on Energy Profiteers and Climate Justice
- Conclusion: Joining the Movement for a Just Energy Future
this post by: opensecrets.org.za
