In Vanuatu, a Climate Change and Human Rights workshop was held onboard the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, where Vanuatu President Baldwin Londsdale welcomed close to 40 delegates and civil society groups from Pacific Island nations.
They were joined by representatives from the Philippines including former national climate negotiator Naderev “Yeb” Saño and Dolores, Samar Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo, who showed their solidarity with the Pacific Islands communities battered by Cyclone Pam in March. They also shared their experiences from super typhoons in the Philippines such as 2013’s Haiyan and 2014’s Hagupit.
“It is now more important than ever before that we stand united as affected communities in the face of climate change, rising sea-levels and changing weather patterns. Let us continue to stand and work together in our fight against the threats of climate change,” said Londsdale.
Human-induced climate change is forecast to unleash increased hardship in the Philippines and Pacific Island nations due to stronger storms and cyclones.
A new study suggested that with climate change, storms like Haiyan could get even stronger and more common.
It projects the intensity of typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean to increase by as much as 14% – nearly equivalent to an increase of one category – by century’s end even under a moderate future scenario of greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenpeace believes those most vulnerable will continue to suffer, representing a violation of their basic human rights.
“Climate change is a borderless issue, gravely affecting millions of people worldwide,” said Zelda Soriano, Legal and Political Advisor from Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
The UN Human Rights Council has recognized that climate change has serious repercussions on the enjoyment of human rights as it poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world.
“In this light, we view climate change as a social injustice that must be addressed by international governments and agencies, most especially those responsible for contributing to the climate crisis,” she added.
Recent research has shown that 90 entities—the largest multinational and state-owned producers of crude oil, natural gas, coal and cement since 1854—have contributed the largest cumulative global carbon and methane emissions.
These 90 entities are responsible for an estimated 914 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of cumulative world emissions of industrial CO2 and methane between 1854 and 2010, or about 63 percent of estimated global industrial emissions of these greenhouse gases.
Climate Justice campaigner from Greenpeace Southeast Asia said these big carbon polluters have enriched themselves for almost a century with the continued burning of coal, oil and gas.
“They are the driving force behind climate change. Time is running out for these vulnerable communities and the world’s big carbon polluters have a moral, and legal responsibility for their products and to meaningfully address climate change before it is too late,” she said.
In a symbolic act of solidarity, the newly-formed coalition of the harmed, signed the People’s Declaration for Climate Justice which will also solidify their intent to pursue Climate Justice, especially in the months leading to the Paris COP.
Tuvalu delegate Puanita Taomia Ewekia said climate change is not a problem for one nation to solve alone, all our Pacific Island countries are affected as one in our shared ocean.
She said government must stand up for their rights and demand redress from these big carbon polluters for past and future climate transgressions.
Source: Manila Standard Today | 09 June 2015
