Citizens take part in the march on the Global Day of Action against Climate Change.
Archbishop Vincent Concesseo flagged off the 6 km rally from
Rajghat (2) to Parliament Street. He said, "The time for everyone
to act is now - especially the leadership." This was part of an
unprecedented mass mobilisation demanding climate action. Indians
joined millions of people across the world on this historic
occasion. People played musical instruments, sang, and beat on
plates and drums, to indicate that people aren't going to accept
anything short of a real deal as an outcome of the Copenhagen
talks. Divya Chaudhary, an MBA student from IILM, Lodhi Road said
she felt she has to take a stand and joined the rally as part of
the WWF vote for the earth campaign.
"Millions of people in India are vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change. Our monsoons are being hit, and so are our glaciers
receding rapidly. We cannot squander this opportunity to avert
runaway climate change. Our message to the 120-odd Heads of State
who arrive next week in Copenhagen is loud and clear: The time to
change the future is now," said Naveen Mishra from Global Climate
Campaign.
"It is clear that the citizens of India will no longer be silent
spectators while world leaders decide the fate of our planet. We
want them to take action now and not later. Runaway climate change
is going to render millions more homeless in India. As a person who
lives on the street, that is not a future I would wish on anyone,"
said Vipin from the Beghar Foundation. (3)
As part of the Global Day of Action, Greenpeace organised
simultaneous protests in more than 15 cities across India. As a
highpoint of the march they unfurled a 700 metre long banner with
messages from citizens across the country from Kochin to Kashmir.
The banner will become part of the 'sign a real deal' wall at the
Climate Satyagraha Camp at the Constitution Club from the 13th
onwards.
In India, actions around the Copenhagen talks are being
organised by the Climate Satyagraha Camp, a civil society coalition
(4) formed to give Indian voice to the Climate Summit taking place
in Copenhagen from 7-18 December, 2009. Science indicates that
world greenhouse gas levels need to start decreasing by 2015 at the
latest, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The outcomes
of the Copenhagen Summit will impact the lives of many generations
to come.
Despite some key industrialised countries lowering expectations
for a deal in Copenhagen, the first week of the talks has been
dominated by a determined push for a legally binding agreement by
developing countries, which are literally fighting for their
survival.
For further information, contact
Greenpeace India: Vinuta Gopal, +91 98455 35418 <
>
Beghar Foundation: Vipin, +91 96501 12293
Global Climate Campaign: Naveen Mishra, +91 99107 02114 <
>
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Notes to Editor
(1) The World Wants a Real Deal is a mass mobilisation with over 3,000 events taking place in more than 125 countries. At candlelight vigils, marches and special events at temporary walls built in key capitals, people from all walks of life will write messages, post photos and sign their names onto the call for a fair, ambitious and legally binding climate treaty. The 12 December event in Copenhagen was organised as part of a Global Day of Action spearheaded by AVAAZ and 350.org, as part of the tcktcktck coalition. So far, the tcktcktck petition has been signed by more than 11 million people from every country in the world.
tcktcktck is an unprecedented global alliance, representing hundreds of millions of people from all walks of life. It is made up of leading international, national and local organisations addressing environment, development, poverty, human rights, health and humanitarian issues. It represents faith-based groups, youth groups, trade unions and individuals all calling for a fair, ambitious and binding climate change deal in December 2009 in Copenhagen. The world is ready!
(2) Rajghat is the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi.
(3) The Beghar Foundation works for the rights of homeless people in New Delhi.
(4) The Climate Satyagraha Camp coalition members include: Greenpeace, Oxfam India, WWF, Christian Aid, Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN), Sustainable Environment & Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), Global Climate Campaign (GCC), Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, Ekta Parishad, Indo-Global Social Services Society (IGSSS), Delhi Greens, Shehri Adhikar Manch, Jamghat, Insaaf, Nishtha, Pravah, Khoj Delhi, Global Gandhi Forum Citizens’ Council, Action Aid, 350.org, Centre for Social Markets (CSM), Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy (CLRA), as well as many climate-affected community organisations and other solidarity partners.