Shaira Panela
Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France next week, simultaneous march in different countries outside of Paris will push through calling for climate justice and an end to carbon pollution. In the Philippines, a movement for climate justice will join the world tomorrow (November 28) to clamor for urgent climate action as more than 195 countries converge in France’s capital city to try to hammer out a global climate deal by December 11.
“Filipinos are already marching for climate justice now. More of us will march in Quezon City and other cities across the country this weekend because the Paris climate talks will start next week,” said Denise Fontanilla of the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development, a non-government organization listed as one of the observers during the COP21 in Paris, France this coming week.
The People and Environment Against Coal-based Energy (PEACE) Caravan, led by coal-affected communities have already started marching from Semirara and Caluta Islands, Antique going to San Jose, Mindoro on Nov. 24. This group will then move to Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, and then finally in Malacañang Palace by Nov. 28.
Similar mobilizations will also commence on Nov. 28 in Cebu, Leyte, various cities in Mindanao, and in Quezon City.
In Quezon City for one, the main themes of the marches are six climate-related issues such as energy transformation; right to food, land and water; justice and reparations for affected peoples; protect our common home (after Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si); jobs and just transition, and youth. Organizers expect at least 10,000 participants to this movement from various sectors including the youth, NGOs, religious groups, trade unions and even celebrities.
Greenpeace Philippines will also be joining thousands of people to march in key cities in the Philippines to stand up for the climate. This is the Filipinos’ largest climate mobilization activity, the Greenpeace said in a statement.
” We aim to spark a convergence of social movements, organizations, and communities that will advance just, ambitious, and sustainable climate solutions that will benefit both people and the planet,” the Greenpeace said.
Fifty more major marches and over 2,000 other events across 150 countries comprise the Global Climate March.
“All these actions will be held on the eve of COP21 to show governments and the rest of the world that a growing and increasingly diverse movement is demanding a fair and just global climate deal,” said Fontanilla.
Fontanilla added, “Our survival is non-negotiable.”
report by Shaira Panela
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