NEWS
EVENTS
Thousands Campaign at London’s Climate March
An Issue For All Of Humanity:
Over 70,000 people in London marched for climate change on Sunday
Carbon emissions, deforestation and poverty
Climate change is affecting each and every one of us. As the UN talks approach in Paris, known as COP21, the world works towards confronting the urgency of the issues.
Decisions and agreements need to be made now as we are approaching the point of no return.
If action isn't taken immediately the world's temperature will rise more than 2 degrees and huge parts of the world will suffer from drought, hunger and disease to an unimaginable extent.
The refugee problems of today are nothing compared to what the world will face if humans can't live in most of the world and the population continues to rise as it will.
On Sunday the 29th November, hundreds of thousands gathered in London to say stop destroying the world.
London marched in solidarity to look after this world, covering it's streets with witty banners and meaningful placards. People dressed up as plants and a huge ‘globe flavoured’ ice-cream cone was there to mirror the ‘melting’ state of our planet.
Celebrity Emma Thompson, singer Charlotte Church and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood marched alongside people from all walks of life for change. The atmosphere was revolutionary.
Why it’s so important now?
Naomi Klein’s book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs The Climate explores how climate change is the most dangerous threat to humanity. She states that ‘our economic system and our planet are now at war’ or, at war with all life on earth, including human life'.
'To avoid collapse we need to lessen our use of resources; what our planet demands to avoid collapse is to stop economic expansion'. Climate marches all over the world are addressing this concern before the most important talks in history.
Global warming threatens millions in Bangladesh. 40% of its 150 million people live in poverty due to climate change jeopardising food output. Additionally, when it rains 50% of the landmass disappears due to its river system. If no change occurs, countries like Bangladesh will completely sink.
Furthermore, Hurricane Sandy which hit the United States was the most destructive and deadliest in the 2012 Hurricane Season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in US history.
Who said what?
Sam, a representative for NGO Global Justice Now outlined climate change being one of the root causes of global poverty around the world.
It is more than likely to affect people who live where sea levels are rising or crops are failing due to extreme weather. In Ethiopia there is a drought occurring and people have to flee due to the impact of climate change. However, not all can easily travel in order to escape.
We need change. We need to keep on going after the negotiations in Paris end. As government interests are always that of the fossil fuel corporations and short-term profits, we need to continue to pressurise government's that this is unacceptable
We must stress the significance of driving forward renewable energy. People at the march suggested that the government support energy efficiency, eco-building in all new houses and particularly community energy initiatives so that people can control their own energy needs rather than large corporations.
What you can do?
Although the decisions made by the United Nations are pivotal, we as individuals must play our part:
1 ) By choosing renewable power, eating organic foods and being energy efficient we can make a difference.
2) Make sure to donate and get involved in campaigns such as future climate marches – an abundance of people speaks volumes.
3) Vote out politicians who don't support effective climate policies.
The negotiations take place from 30 November to 11 December 2015. However, we need to look beyond the summit in Paris and continue to always keep climate change at the top of the government’s agenda and all of ours.
