Mannar, Sri Lanka, 10 October 2026  — In one striking display of resilience and solidarity, ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), more than 200 members from climate-impacted communities from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Senegal gathered at Keeri Beach in Mannar to form “The Rising,” a large-scale participatory art installation demanding accountability from the major fossil fuel companies most responsible for the climate crisis.

Supported by Greenpeace South Asia and choreographed by internationally acclaimed ocean artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar, “The Rising” is performed in a united voice against big fossil fuel corporations who continue to drive climate change, amassing profits, while communities from the global south continue to face its adverse impact. Each participant represents their own or their community’s journey from climate vulnerability to climate action.

For communities in Mannar, the climate crisis is already changing everyday life. Generations of families have depended on fishing, agriculture and the surrounding coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods. But rising temperatures, changing rainfall, flooding, sea level rise and declining fishing harvests are placing growing pressure on livelihoods, health and food and water security.

Ramsiya Begam, a Mannar resident pointed out that, “There is a clear difference between the climate and weather patterns we see now, compared to how it was before. We have been feeling intense heat, more than we have ever before, starting from the past couple of years. The weather has changed significantly from what it was like before. When it used to rain, we felt the environment cool, but now the rain only makes the air hotter and more uncomfortable. Also, this extreme heat is affecting everyday life and our livelihoods, causing sun burns and rashes, and doubling, sometimes tripling our water bill because we have to bathe multiple times a day to stay cool.” 

Mannar is not alone. Across the Global South, communities and workers are living the climate crisis through dangerous heat, floods, drought, changing oceans, crop losses, falling incomes and displacement. Communities in Mannar are maintaining a Climate Register, tracking declining fish catches, damaged crops, and changes in soil and water quality, building an evidence base rooted in their own lived experience. And, communities from the global south have similar stories to tell. Now, the frontline communities are asking for climate accountability, leading the call to make the wealthiest polluters pay.

“Frontline communities, like those gathered here today, are bearing the worst impacts of a crisis they did almost nothing to cause, while the companies most responsible continue to report record profits,” said Campaigner Cherika Ranasinghe for Greenpeace South Asia. “’The Rising’ is a call for establishing a Climate Future Fund financed by big fossil fuel companies, supporting communities facing climate loss and damage while these companies commit to reducing the pollution they create. Climate accountability is not charity. It is a legal and financial obligation, and it starts with “Make Polluters Pay.”

For artist Subodh Kerkar, the work is an extension of years spent creating with communities who depend on the sea. “Art has the power to share a powerful message that connects all humans and moves us all to take action,” said artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar. “With this installation, people and communities are gathering to create a testament to their resilience and power, turning experience into collective action, with a message that must travel far and wide, and reach all people.” 

As governments prepare for COP31, communities from the Global South are calling for climate negotiations to move beyond promises and recognise the responsibility of those who have profited most from fossil fuels. “The Rising” is their voices being sounded for the world to listen to, calling for change.

About Mannar: 
Located at the North-West of Sri Lanka, Mannar is an island that has been identified by the World Bank as one of the most at-risk districts in Sri Lanka due to climate change. Seventy per cent of the nearly 125,000 people living in Mannar rely on agriculture, while 25 per cent rely on fisheries for their income. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, are causing significant impact to their quality of life.

More quotes from Community members:

Sunita, India.
“Every summer the heat gets harder to survive. I’ve had days I couldn’t work because of the heat, and that means days without pay for my family. My health has suffered, this heat is making our lives worse. We didn’t create this crisis, but we are the ones paying for it with our bodies and our livelihoods. I came to Mannar to stand with other communities and say clearly: the companies profiting from this crisis must pay for what they’ve caused.”

Selvartnam Dilaxan, Mannar
“Mannar is my home, and I have watched it change — storms that come harder, water that reaches further inland, fish catches that keep shrinking. Cyclone Ditwah showed us how fast everything we depend on can be taken away. We are not waiting for someone else to act. We are documenting what is happening to us and demanding that the big oil and gas companies driving this crisis take responsibility for it.”

Restituto del Rosario, Philippines
“In my community, typhoons used to be something we prepared for once a season. Now, with that we are also facing extreme heat. We rebuild constantly, but with heat–it makes ordinary days unbearable. As our livelihood is dependent on fishing, the extreme heat is hitting our livelihood hard. We did not create this crisis, but we live with its cost. Standing here in Mannar with communities from across the world, our message is simple: the fossil fuel companies responsible for this must pay.”

Amanullah Porag, Bangladesh
“Where I live, rising water is not a prediction — it is already taking land, homes and livelihoods. Families are being pushed to move, again and again. This is not a natural disaster, it is the result of decisions made far away from us, by companies that have profited while we lose everything. We came to Mannar to stand in solidarity with global south communities as accountability cannot wait any longer.”

Mama Fatou Samba, Senegal
“Drought and unpredictable rains have already changed how my community farms and survives. We have contributed the least to this crisis, yet we are among the first to lose our land, our food security, our way of life. Being part of this artwork in Mannar is our way of telling the world: we will not stay silent while polluters avoid responsibility.”

Vinzealhar Ainjo Nen, Papua New Guinea
Representing the people of Morobe Province, of Papua New Guinea. She will be sharing the stories of her people, the indigenous community of Watut 

“For generations, my people have lived with the land and the nature around us, but that has changed. Severe weather events, forest fires, and lack of water is adversely affecting my community. It is not our actions that are the cause for this, but the acts of those who do not recognise nor care for the hardship we face because of their choices. I came to Mannar because our voices must be heard, and listened to.”

Media Contacts:
Nibedita Saha | [email protected]
Shanuka Kadupitiyage | [email protected]