Apr 22, 2009

EES Week 11: International Community Called to Listen


   climate change      Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
Climate Change Open Letter
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To the President and Member States of the Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

It is widely accepted that global warming is occurring as a result of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. Its effect is felt universally.

Industrialised countries contribute the most to manmade greenhouse gas emission, but their impacts have been most keenly felt by indigenous communities.

These are communities that, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have been forced onto the ‘least fertile and most fragile land’ as a consequence of their historical, social, political and economic exclusion.

The effects of climate change are being felt by indigenous peoples from the Arctic to the Caribbean. Inuit livelihoods are disappearing as quickly as the snow, Caribbean Islands are at risk of drowning and the tribes of Borneo can only watch as their rainforests catch fire.

Put simply indigenous peoples are at the frontline of climate change. There is a moral duty to protect those vulnerable from climate change, and action needs to be taken now.

We, the undersigned, propose that the solution lies in dialogue and cooperation; cooperation between those at the frontline of climate change, and the Governments of those nations primarily responsible for it.

Human rights are central to this partnership, and it is crucial that indigenous peoples are empowered, and participate as active agents and not considered passive victims. They must be included in policymaking in order for their knowledge to be incorporated into any adaptive strategies developed.

In order to facilitate this, indigenous communities must gain permanent representation at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme.

In this way the voices of indigenous peoples will be heard and have a real impact on the international debate for the climate change regime post 2012; debates that will affect their livelihoods.

The UN acknowledge that the ‘right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law,’ and believe that its ‘realization is an essential condition for the effective enjoyment of individual human rights.’

This will only be realised when indigenous groups are able to fully participate as equals. Therefore, on Earth Day 22 April 2009, we the undersigned call upon the UNFCCC to initiate a programme whereby this can be achieved.

 

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                                Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)   

Climate Change Open Letter
    Signed,   Ms. Julia Bonds
Goldman Prize North America 2003
Co-director Coal River Mountain Watch

Mr. Tarcísio Feitosa
Goldman Prize South and Central America 2006

Mr. Orri Vigfússon
Goldman Prize Islands and Island Nations 2007

Mr. Anders Wijkman
Member of the European Parliament

Ms. Champa Devi Shukla  
Goldman Prize Asia 2004

Ms. Rashida Bee
Goldman Prize Asia 2004

Mr. Tsetsegee Munkhbayar
Goldman Prize Asia 2007

Dr. Corneille E. N. Ewango,
Goldman Prize Africa 2005
Environmentalist & Tropical Forest Ecologist and Forest Management.

Dr Johannes Blokland,
Member of the European Parliament
Vice-chair of the Environment Committee

Ms. Libia R. Grueso C.  Goldman Prize 2004 por Centro y Sur America,  
Proceso de Comunidades Negras PCN, Colombia.

Mr. Willie Corduff
Goldman Prize Europe 2007

Ms. Manana Kochladze
Goldman Prize Europe 2004
Association Green Alternative

Ms. Anne Kajir
Goldman Prize Islands and Island Nations 2006