On August 13th, youth and civil society organisations gathered around the world, to stand in solidarity with our Pacific family and champion support for the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) campaign, taking the world’s biggest problem to the world’s biggest Court. At the UN General Assembly in September this year, Vanuatu will be asking members to support its resolution asking the ICJ to give an Advisory Opinion on human rights and climate change – and they need our support!
In Sydney, Australia, supporters were honoured to witness cultural performances from First nations and Pacific people, and Greenpeace Australia Pacific Activist and Volunteer Coordinator, Shiva Gounden shared a few words on what an Advisory Opinion would mean for Pacific peoples and frontline communities.
“What we are asking is for the International Court of Justice to clarify what states need to do at a minimum to protect the rights of both current and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change.”
“In doing so, the Advisory Opinion will strengthen existing international processes and spaces” and “It will be the strongest clarification any judicial body can pronounce on the existential threat of the climate crisis and what nations must do.”
“We thank you for your support on this journey. The week of Global actions with our Vuvale (family) from across the world has been truly empowering. ”
In Fiji, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, as part of the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO), was joined by around 70 volunteers from around the country, to clean the Nukuwatu shorefront, just outside the Fiji’s capital (Suva), and this was followed by a solidarity march along the stretch of Lami town.
“We are here today, as part of a global alliance/family that is calling on nations around the world to join us, to vote YES for climate justice” – Senior Campaigner, Sepesa Rasili
“In our Pacific communities, the climate crisis impacts our human rights everyday – daily lived experience. It continues to affect our source of livelihood, our health and our environment. This activity is an opportunity to amplify our voices.” Rasili said.
And in Vanuatu, approximately 100 women from various villages in Tanna, gathered to learn more about the ICJAO. The day was filled with open discussions and a training activity that gave space for the participants to curate & add their own voices to the call for climate justice.
If there is power in the world to save humanity from an environmental disaster, it is the power of the people.
The endorsement of the ICJAO campaign, by all member states at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, along with the support from CARICOM Countries, is proving that this is a fight that is shared by frontline communities around the world. This is our chance to protect our basic humans, our cultures, the legacy of our ancestors and the survival of our descendants.
We invite you to add your voice to this call. Sign our petition and come aboard our canoe on this journey.
[button href=”https://www.greenpeace.org.au/act/pacific-climate-justice-2″ style=”flat” size=”medium” color=”#6aca25″ hovercolor=”#cccccc” textcolor=”#000000″]Sign Our Petition[/button]
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