Pacific Climate Warriors in Fiji know which side of history they belong on. Mass mobilization is one of the best ways to shock the entire system into action. There have been anti-war marches, anti-nuclear marches, marches for civil rights, and more. On September 21, we stand in solidarity with those marching for climate justice.
Photo credit: Fenton Lutunatabua
This article [1] was written by Fenton Lutunatabua from 350.org [2], an organization building a global climate movement, in the lead-up to the People's Climate March and global mobilisation, and is adapted for republication on Global Voices as part of a content sharing agreement.
More than 100,000 are expected to take to the streets of New York on September 21 to participate in the People's Climate March [3] just two days ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit. Worldwide more than 2,000 events in 150 countries are planned throughout this week as part of the People's Climate Mobilisation. This is a key moment: scientists warn us that global warming is spiralling out of control. We need to see immediate action now. There’s no time to keep kicking the can down the road. Thus time for action, not words.
The climate crisis is particularly relevant to the people in the Pacific, with sea level rise threatening their very existence. In the Pacific Islands, from Tonga to Tuvalu to Tokelau, people are rallying calling for action, not words to protect the Pacific Islands. As they are marching they are also preparing to send 30 Pacific Climate Warriors with their canoes [4] to block the world’s largest coal port in Australia in October.
Below is a photo series from the Pacific Climate Warriors of Fiji in preparation for their actions as part of the People's Climate Mobilisation.
The People's Climate March is part of a larger movement for climate justice. People are doing work in their communities every day to confront climate change, and it is time for us to come together and march. We’re calling for more than climate action: we’re calling for climate justice. We want action that protects the poorest and most vulnerable in our society and solutions that prioritize those who have born the brunt of the problems.
Photo credit: Fenton Lutunatabua
The People’s Climate March will be about lifting up the voices of people who are already feeling the impacts of climate change and pollution. We know that people need to be at the heart of climate solutions. The old energy economy put power in the hands of corporations. The new energy economy should put power back in the hands of the people.
Photo credit: Fenton Lutunatabua
It is time show the world that we are coming together. We are demanding something, which we know, is in our reach — a safe future and an economy that works for people and the planet.
Photo credit: Fenton Lutunatabua