The Call: World People's Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights

Copenhagen offered nothing to the ordinary people — especially those living in so-called developing nations. (The "developed" nations still have much to develop ... like compassion, a conscience, a wee bit of ecological literacy perhaps.) So we were cheered to read this "Call" from Bolivian president Evo Morales to support, promote and possibly attend the People's World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights, in Cochabamba (don't you love that name?) 19-22 of April, 2010.

I figure any conference that even mentions the rights of Mother Earth has got to be okay. Here is the convocatoria (or call) to participate:

Enero 5, 2010

Considering that climate change represents a real threat to the existence of humanity, of living beings and our Mother Earth as we know it today;
Noting the serious danger that exists to islands, coastal areas, glaciers in the Himalayas, the Andes and mountains of the world, poles of the Earth, warm regions like Africa, water sources, populations affected by increasing natural disasters, plants and animals, and ecosystems in general;
Making clear that those most affected by climate change will be the poorest in the world who will see their homes and their sources of survival destroyed, and who will be forced to migrate and seek refuge;
Confirming that 75% of historical emissions of greenhouse gases originated in the countries of the North that followed a path of irrational industrialization;
Noting that climate change is a product of the capitalist system;
Regretting the failure of the Copenhagen Conference caused by countries called “developed”, that fail to recognize the climate debt they have with developing countries, future generations and Mother Earth;
Affirming that in order to ensure the full fulfillment of human rights in the twenty-first century, it is necessary to recognize and respect Mother Earth’s rights;
Reaffirming the need to fight for climate justice;
Recognizing the need to take urgent actions to avoid further damage and suffering to humanity, Mother Earth and to restore harmony with nature;
Confident that the peoples of the world, guided by the principles of solidarity, justice and respect for life, will be able to save humanity and Mother Earth, and
Celebrating the International Day of Mother Earth,
The Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia calls on the peoples of the world, social movements and Mother Earth’s defenders, and invites scientists, academics, lawyers and governments that want to work with their citizens to the People's World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth’s Rights to be held from 20th to 22nd April 2010 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The Peoples’ World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth’s Rights has as objectives:
1) To analyze the structural and systemic causes that drive climate change and to propose radical measures to ensure the well-being of all humanity in harmony with nature
2) To discuss and agree on the project of a Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights
3) To agree on proposals for new commitments to the Kyoto Protocol and projects for a COP Decision under the United Nations Framework for Climate Change that will guide future actions in those countries that are engaged with life during climate change negotiations and in all United Nations scenarios, related to:
- Climate debt
- Climate change migrants-refugees
- Emission reductions
- Adaptation
- Technology transfer
- Finance
- Forest and Climate Change
- Shared Vision
- Indigenous Peoples, and
- Others
4) To work on the organization of the Peoples’ World Referendum on Climate Change
5) To analyze and develop an action plan to advance the establishment of a Climate Justice Tribunal
6) To define strategies for action and mobilization to defend life from Climate Change and to defend Mother Earth’s Rights.
Bolivia, January 5th, 2010

Evo Morales Ayma
President of the
Plurinational State of Bolivia

To lend your personal or organizational moral support to this important venture, visit the Adhesiones page and fill in the form.

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Remember that "hope" word that I got so tired of? Well, is anyone else feeling an upswelling of interest in and attention to the climate change emergency? Young people are coming alive, older folks are wondering how to get involved, deniers are denying in ever increasingly idiotic ways (which shows that we must be doing something right). What I'm trying to say is that something's in the air ... and this People's Conference (and People's Referendum idea) might just be injecting some true hope into the climate change discourse.