Occupy the Phonelines for Climate Justice
Three weeks ago, governments from around the world met in Durban, South Africa for the 17th UN Climate Change Conference, COP17. Just days before the international summit began, a community from nearby KwaMashu had their houses destroyed and all their possessions and food stolen from them by their government. They were told they were "dirtying" the image of Durban for the COP17 conference by city officials ashamed of their own inhabitants. The next night, as members of this community crouched in the rain under plastic bags in the spaces where their houses used to stand, Mwempi Caka caught a chill and died soon after. To this day, this community of grandmothers, mothers, babies and sons sleep each night on the floors of the kind neighbors that surround the empty land where their own houses once stood.
After two weeks of intense negotiations, the COP17 Conference ended—leaving the world without any international treaty to address climate change. Many critics have said that “this conference didn’t change anything”. The 31 families, who lost their homes and all their possessions because of COP17, know this is not true. What the conference clearly delivered is a prime example of the manner that governments are reacting to climate change: with blatant disregard for basic human rights. This grave injustice to the community from KwaMashu and the death of Mwempi Caka reminds us that while the climate crisis and its impact cannot be underestimated, they cannot serve as an excuse to continue a legacy of injustice.
Climate Justice for the 99%
While some of the 350 crew is working hard in Durban to create a moment for more ambition and strong climate targets with our friends and allies here at the UN climate talks and beyond our friends back home work hard on building the movement by making new connections and meeting exiting new friends and allies:
Global days of action are opportunities to bring together our voices calling for a common goal or issue for political change, and when it comes to climate change, undoubtedly we need it more than ever - locally, nationally and globally. This year thousands of people gathered all over the world from the Nicaragua, to Durban, to London, calling for climate justice. Given the lack of progress at the 17th round of the United Nations climate negotiations in South Africa this topic couldn't be more apt as a reminder of what this process should be trying to achieve - the survival of all peoples and countries. Moreover, given the location of the talks, in one of the world's most vulnerable and sensitive regions to climate change and with the least resources to adapt, this call couldn't resonate more.
March for Climate Justice
It was a tough first week here in Durban, South Africa -- the government negotiations just aren't at all where they need to be. But those negotiatoins aren't all that's going on here. From COY, the conference of youth, to OccupyCOP17, to the march yesterday (below) with thousands and thousands of people filling the streests of Durban -- we are seeing the climate movement continue to rise up and call for what science and justice demand.
This is where the change we need will come from...
Photo Credit: Speak Your Mind // Julian Koschorke -- by the wonderful folks at Change&Switch.
African youth are caravanning to Durban for climate justice!
Dar es Salaam is about to rock with a climate concert put on by 160 youth in the hot and humid capital of Tanzania! These youth are part of the caravan heading to Durban for COP 17 - with the message of "We Have Faith - Act Now for Climate Justice".
They come from many different countries in Africa and have been joined by youth from the EU. On Monday, their convoy of buses left Nairobi, Kenya to travel through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Botswana to South Africa and Durban to coincide with the upcoming climate summit. Along the way, they'll be camping overnight in different locations and spreading awareness with the locals they meet.
They'll also be hosting more concerts in the big cities they pass through, and they particularly want to sensitize other youth to the impacts from climate chaos and the need for youth to bring their voices to their leaders to ensure a just and sustainable future.
One of these intrepid youth is Winnie Asiti, a long-time organiser with 350.org, who is also part of our Sauti campaign. Click here to read more of Winnie's own story, and we'll keep you posted as she sends us news from the caravan!
The We Have Faith campaign is calling on the leaders attending COP 17 to treat the Earth with respect, resist disorder and live in peace with each other, including embracing a legally binding climate treaty.
You can find out more on the campaign and follow the progress of the caravan here: https://www.wehavefaithactnow.org 
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