pathways, February 2010
"I am wanting leaders who will not be bought or sold;
leaders who in their inmost soul are true and honest;
leaders who do not fear to call a mistake by its right name ...
leaders who will stand up for the right though the heavens fall."
Pelenise Alofa (PCP delegate, from Kiribati)
In the face of massive disappointment in Copenhagen -- at the world in general and Australia in particular -- the Pacific Calling Partnership has resolved to "continue undaunted" in its advocacy for Pacific Island neighbours who continue to suffer climate change injustice.
PCP delegation leader Good Samaritan Sister Geraldine Kearney (Sydney,
pictured right with Maria Tiimon [left] from Kiribati at an NGO justice rally) said that although the outcomes were not promising, the trip was fruitful.
"We were on a mission," she said. "The fire in the hearts of our valiant representatives kept this mission alive.
"And it was fruitful because our participation in side events, our involvement with multi-media and press conferences, and our solidarity with the Kiribati and Tuvalu Governments, other small island states and NGOS, continued to ignite the passion in each of us that we must fight even more fearlessly for climate justice."
For the two weeks of the Copenhagen 2009 UN Climate Change Conference late last year, the Pacific Calling Partnership's delegation put the human face of climate change on to the international stage in the hope that the overwhelming international attention there would contribute to building up a groundswell of concern for the effects climate change is having on low lying Pacific Islands.
The human face of climate change
"When we think about climate change, we often focus on economy, science, politics, emissions trading schemes, and other associated topics! However, have we forgotten one important factor; the human face of the affects of climate change?
I am Tangaroa Arobati!
This is my country Kiribati!
This is my island of Tarawa!
This is the human face of Kiribati!
In conclusion as the world gets hotter and hotter, these are my personal fears:
So what is the ultimate price my people will have to pay?
There will be an increase in tropical diseases
My islands will get smaller and smaller.
Reduction of land will lead to possible RELOCATION ... but where? Old people do not want to leave their land, their ancestors.
My islands will eventually disappear! My culture will be lost; lost to my people and to the world as a whole.
Everyone in this room ... you and I can make a difference by reaching out to each other in true partnership. Climate change is a global issue. It requires a global response; a commitment to ensuring the human rights of our children and our children's children
We hold each other's future in our hands!
Tangaroa Arobati, Kiribati
Sr Geraldine said, "Being present at COP 15 was a great experience to witness, and be part of, so many dedicated grass-roots people and organisations working to make a difference in their corner of the world ... There was a profound sense of solidarity crying out for an end to climate injustice.
"The array of various people of many nationalities distinctive by their traditional cultural costumes made visible the fact that we are all citizens of the global village - would that our leaders are accountable to each one's human rights."
Sr Geraldine said that as the snow continued to fall in the second week, in the midst of the summit disarray, delegation members continued to meet each morning to pray and plan strategically.
"Like thousands of other NGOS we, too, were locked out of the Bella Centre, but amidst riots, demonstrations and mounting despair we held out in firm hope, never giving up on an opportunity to speak, listen, and act."
She said that at the final dinner she was moved to tears at the deflation and disappointment of the President of Kiribati, Mr Anote Tong.
"I personally felt the pain that occurs when neighbour does not reach out to neighbour in times of dire need. Australia had truly let down her neighbours.
If we do not take up our responsibility to our Pacific neighbours, and then who will? We are I believe only at the beginning of the greatest moral struggle of our time.
The Pacific Calling Partnership delegation consisted of eight people.
Participants from indigenous communities in Pacific Island Nations and in Australia:
- Tangaroa Arobati, from Kiribati; a geography teacher & participant in the Pacific Calling Partnership delegation to the Bali summit in 2007.
- Pelenise Alofa, from Kiribati; Managing Director, Kauaoki Foundation Enterprise (SDA) and Chairperson, Church Education Director's Association in Kiribati (CEDAK).
- Maria Tiimon, from Kiribati; currently working in Sydney as Pacific Outreach Officer for Pacific Calling Partnership.
- Patricia Corowa, an Indigenous Australian who is also of Pacific Island descent (Vanuatu); retired public servant and not-retired activist.
The non Indigenous Australians are:-
- Geraldine Kearney SGS, Advocate for Social Responsibility, Good Samaritan Sisters
- Phil Glendenning, Director, Edmund Rice Centre,
- Jill Finnane, Eco Justice Coordinator Edmund Rice Centre.
- Tom Zubrycki, film-maker.
Members returned determined to continue bring to the international arena the message that the world needs to address the human cost of climate change. The attitude can be summed up by delegation member Jill Finnane, "The people of the Pacific Islands have shown wonderful leadership and courageous solidarity. They are not prepared to be considered as expendable and why should they?"
further reading:
Edmund Rice Centre COP15 report (What PCP did at COP15 and other reports)
Demanding our politicians' best
On the international stage
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
JUST COMMENT ... Urgent: a fair and effective carbon pollution reduction scheme
Edmund Rice Centre
This Is Bigger Than Climate Change. It Is a Battle to Redefine Humanity George Monbiot
The Guardian (UK) December 15, 2009
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