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World Conference of the People on Climate Change
John Vidal, Environment Editor, The Guardian UK
Wednesday 13 January 2010
…Bolivia, one of a handful of poor countries which openly opposed the deal in Copenhagen, has invited countries and non-governmental groups which want a much stronger climate deal to the World Conference of the People on Climate Change.
The conference, to be held in Cochabamba in Bolivia from April 20-22, is expected to attract heads of state from the loose alliance of socialist “Alba” countries, including Venezuela and Cuba. ALBA, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America countries, was set up to provide an alternative to the US-led free trade area of the Americas.
Bolivia this week urged leaders of the world’s indigenous ethnic groups and scientists to come. “The invitation is to heads of state but chiefly to civil society. We think that social movements and non government groups, people not at decision level, have an important role in climate talks,” said Maria Souviron, Bolivian ambassador in London.
The meeting, which is intended to cement ties between the seven Alba countries, is also expected to persue the idea of an international court for environmental crimes, as well as the radical idea of “mother earth rights”. This would give all entities, from man to endangered animal species, an equal right to life.
“Our objective is to save humanity and not just half of humanity,” said Morales in a speech at Copenhagen. “We are here to save mother earth. Our objective is to reduce climate change to [under] 1C. [Above this] many islands will disappear and Africa will suffer a holocaust … the real cause of climate change is the capitalist system. If we want to save the earth then we must end that economic model.”
Relevant links
The Economics of Happiness
1 – 19 February 2010
After Copenhagen: Opportunities and challenges
1 – 19 March, 2010
Earth Jurisprudence By Ian Mason originally published in Resurgence Magazine
Earth Jurisprudence and Community Resilience: Learning from Africa 2009 course at Schumacher College
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Bolivia and the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the Caribbean (Alba) countries’ proposed alternative World Conference of the People on Climate Change is greatly welcomed and plants a seed of hope following the failure of industrialised countries to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, let alone adopt a holistic and integrated approach to addressing climate change at the recent Copenhagen Summit.
The failed Copenhagen Summit affirms a growing realization that real solutions to climate change cannot lie in the corporate mindset of Governments but must come from the leadership of hearts, minds and hands of the peoples. A key challenge for this decade will be to grow local and webbed up solutions that enhance, rather than undermine, the wellbeing and resilience (ability to adapt to change) of both Nature and humans. Indigenous peoples and local communities who are living in ways that are compliant with Nature’s laws, and are socially just and culturally diverse, are potent sources of inspiration for Earth- centred living. There is a clear need to continue to share positive initiatives. For example the Transition Town Network working on community sufficiency, and the Gaia Foundation and partner organizations working towards Community Ecological Governance by reviving traditional ecological knowledge and restoring sacred sites of critical ecological, cultural and spiritual importance – which the Altai indigenous communities in Russia believe are acupuncture points in the body of the Earth.
If we are to fulfill our personal and collective responsibilities of passing on a healthy Earth to our children, then we must live according to the laws of Nature – our source of life, wellbeing and laws, and respect the rights of all beings within the wider Earth Community. Remembering the wisdom of our ancestors, such as Thomas Berry, who calls for a mutually enhancing relationship with Nature and Earth – centred governance systems, and Ghandi’s principle of non-participation in systems of violence, such as the industrial process, will guide us in this challenge.
— Carine Nadal · Jan 19, 11:43 AM · #