Monday, November 29, 2010

Which way for Cancun? From the Copenhagen Discord to the Cochabamba Accord, by Amb. Pablo Solon & Megan Morrissey

Which way for Cancun? From the Copenhagen Discord to the Cochabamba Accord

AMBASSADOR PABLO SOLON OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
MEGAN MORRISSEY, ASSISTANT TO AMBASSADOR PABLO SOLON

Cancun should be about those responsible for climate change committing to reduce greenhouse gases. It sounds like a strange thing to say. Unfortunately our experience in past climate talks is that emission reductions is often the last thing discussed. Instead valuable time is spent trying to shift responsibility from those..

04webwho have caused climate change to those suffering the effects, and looking for ever more creative financial mechanisms for multinational corporations to make profits from climate change.

These constant attempts to deviate from our critical task of preventing runaway climate change were most starkly exposed at the COP15 climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009. After days of blocking any progress on the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding agreement on climate change; the US, EU and a small handful of hand-picked countries met in a secretive location to draw up a voluntary agreement, misnamed the Copenhagen Accord. Bolivia and many other nations opposed the Accord, because it ignored the views of more than 160 countries and because it would move us backwards rather than forward.

The UN's own research has shown that the Copenhagen Accord's voluntary pledges would lead to temperature increases of 4 degrees Celsius - a level that many scientists consider disastrous for human life and our ecosystems. An internal report by the EU of its own commitments suggested that, thanks to various loopholes, the EU could actually increase its emissions by 2.6% by 2020. This is hardly a step forward and is why the Accord was rightly denounced by millions of people worldwide.

During the Copenhagen climate talks, President Evo Morales of Bolivia observed that the best way to put climate change solutions at the heart of the talks was to involve the people. In contrast to much of the official talks, the hundreds of civil society organisations, communities, scientists and faith leaders present in Copenhagen clearly prioritised the search for effective, just solutions to climate change against narrow economic interests.

So Bolivia decided to put its words into action, and host a Peoples Summit on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth in April 2010. The summit in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba was open to everyone, and was attended by more than 35,000 people from more than 70 countries including representatives of 40 governments. More than 17 working groups developed innovative and effective proposals to both reduce greenhouse gas reductions and tackle the root causes of climate change. The Bolivian government then agreed to formally present these demands within the UNFCCC negotiations.

The Cochabamba Accord includes the following key demands:

1. 50 % reduction of greenhouse gas emission by 2017.

2. Stabilising temperature rises to 1C and 300 PPM

3. Acknowledging the climate debt owed by developed countries

4. Full respect for Human Rights and the inherent rights of indigenous people

5. Universal declaration of rights of Mother Earth to ensure harmony with nature

6. Establishment of an International Court of Climate Justice

7. Rejection of carbon markets and commodification of nature and forests through the REDD programme

8. Promotion of measures that change the consumption patterns of developed countries.

9. End of intellectual property rights for technologies useful for mitigating climate change.

10. Allocation of 6% of developed countries' national gross product to actions related to addressing climate change

The Cochabamba conference was inspiring in contrast to Copenhagen, because no-one was excluded and because it put the interests of stabilising the climate before the interests of business and profit. As the Cancun talks start, there is a long uphill road to climb if the UN is to re-emerge with its credibility in responding to the most critical crisis humanity has faced. The first step it could take is to stop listening to the interests of powerful corporations and instead listen to the demands of the peoples in Cochabamba.

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 2010 12:36)

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Youth for Climate Justice During Cop16! In Cancún and at Home

I spent this weekend at the Conference of Youth, which took place at the Universidad del Caribe, at the end of the road on Avenida Bonampak, a little outside of downtown Cancún. On the way there, you think you are going to fall off the coral reef and mangroves that are underneath the asphalt, pavement and cement buildings - or were. It looks like the end of the world.

After 2.5 h in the minivan, we got to Cancunmesse (actually it's kind of a clusterf*ck) this morning and then had to take another shuttle bus back to the Moon Palace. Policia everywhere. Most of the delegations from LDCs, poorer countries, also the NGOs, we all can't afford the $350 a night at places like Moon Palace - especially for two whole weeks. So we are staying in places downtown, doubling up in rooms, and so forth. And it took two hours to get from there to the official negotiation spaces and most of the people on the bus, getting into the Moon Palace at 1030 am this morning, were all people from African countries. Meena Raman and Martin Khor from Third World Network were also in the bus.

Youth for Climate Justice is rolling to the COP with the Indigenous Environmental network and Grassroots Global Justice Alliance.

Members on the ground in Cancún and throughout the United States include:

In Navajo country, Black Mesa Water Coalition, a Navajo/Diné and Hopi youth organization, shut down one of the largest open face put mines in the country and is also the first reservation in Indian Country to pass green jobs legislation. Nikke Alexis our person on that. The closing of the Peabody coal mine was a major win, the result of an intense campaign that took over a decade.

Kandi Mossett from Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara in Fort Berthold North Dakota always has a new death in her community every time I see her. I see Kandi every 2 or 3 months. That is the cost of fossil fuel production, extraction for Native communities and the communities who live next to refineries, pipelines, power plants. Her reservation is less than a thousand people. This is genocide. The first time it was a trucking accident, another time it was cancer, and so forth and so forth. Kandi is a cancer survivor and a sister I am proud to support.

Lilian Molina comes from the Little Village in Chicago which is next to one of the largest coal fired power plants in North America. The cost to the mostly Latino (Mexicano, central american and puerto rican) comunity there is in asthma and cancers. Lili will be in Cancún advocating on behalf of and for the Little Village in the women and climate change or the Youth spheres, and her compatriot in the United States, Raquel Nuñez, and hosting a powerful action in Chicago on December 7.

Joaquin Sanchez, Jr. has been working on issues of youth in environmental justice as well as the intersection of the queer rights, immigrant rights and economic justice sectors since I have met him. This dynamic and thoughtful young queer is most recently emerged from the statewide organizing against Proposition 23 in California, and will be working on the inside to promote positions that keep our communities safe, especially the communities that have been experiencing the impacts of the industries that caused climate change. He will be keeping a blog that examines the negotiations in relationship to a queer analytical perspective. http://pachajota.wordpress.com

Kari Fulton and Ellen Choy are the co-founders of checktheweather.net and will be working within the Youth (YOUNGO) space. Kari has extensive connections with the African Youth delegations and other youth delegations to be watching include the small island nations. In the past, she has worked on covering the African and African descendent peoples and perspectives in the negotiations at COP15 in Copenhagen. Likewise, Ellen and I will be building across the board, but also trying to suss out the Asian contingencies that are aligned with this worldview as well as handling quite a bit of media and communications roles to support the various delegations, as well as developing our own media. We were both on the ground in Copenhagen and again in Cochabamba.

Julien Terrell is the Organizing Director for Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice in the Bronx, New York. YMPJ's programs in the Bronx include green roofs, community gardening and water recreation. I met him in Cochabamba and was immediately impressed by the depth of his knowledge and practice to environmental justice and youth organizing, to his community and family, and to the movements in which we move. YMPJ is one of the key coordinators of actions in New York City for Dec 7 Day of Action.

As I am closing, Bolivia - Pablo Solon - just gave an opening statement saying that Mexico must not be a repeat of Copenhagen, that the final document gets introduced until 3 am in the morning, and similar dynamics. 

 

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Rumbo a Cancún:

November 25, 2010

On this day, most of my friends and family both give thanks for our families and communities and for the meaningful work we get to do in our lifetimes. Sometimes this coincides with our paid work and sometimes not. For me, it's both!

I am in the fancy airport in D.F., or Mexico City, waiting for my transfer flight to Cancún, where I will be meeting up with some of the advance team of folks from the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN). I am excited and honored to have been asked to collaborate with IEN on their media work for this upcoming 16th Conference of the Parties, or COP 16, of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The meeting takes place from 29-november through 10-december.

This is the first of many blog posts that I will be posting from México introducing these unlikely negotiators and observers where, as Martin Khor said after Copenhagen last year, we are "not only negotiating the future of humanity and the earth but also the future distribution of the GDP of the world."

 

We are calling the delegation the "Grassroots Solutions to Climate Justice" Alliance for North America. We are Indigenous and Native peoples from North America, youth and young people from frontline and fenceline communities, economic and racial justice representatives from the same (where incinerators, pipelines, oil rigs, refineries, chemical plants, power plants, uranium mines, nuclear power plants, coal mines, in Indian Country and Appalachia, in urban America and the Gulf Coast, are located), and environmental justice organizations and leaders.


The blog posts will include updates from the inside of the negotiations, but also updates from members of our delegations who are on the road, meeting with indigenous and small farmer organizations and communities along the way, from caravans with La Via Campesina, that originated in Chiapas, Acapulco and other points.


It is fitting that we begin the coverage with a profile of the Indigenous Environmental Network, or IEN. At home in the United States, most people are preparing meals and gathering together families of all kinds for what is called Thankgiving, but is also called Thanks-taken, or Indigenous People's Genocide Day, or Day of Mourning. Where I grew up, in the Northeast, the myth of Pilgrims sharing a feast in peace with local Native peoples was taught to us in the public schools. In fact, local Native peoples took pity on the starving Europeans who didn't know how to farm or fish well enough to save their own lives, and were in return exterminated, had their lands stolen, and their hirstories erased from the dominant narrative. So for me, the passion to tell our stories from our communities, the underside of modernity, of colonization and colonialism, comes from knowing that once we know the full story, we must re-imagine who we are as a society and culture and deeply change structures - economic, political, social, cultural - in order to move towards justice.

The Indigenous Environmental Network is one of the leading organizations and formations within the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus in UN proceedings on climate change. Indigenous Peoples are among the leading constituencies that have developed, articulated, and held a climate justice perspective as observers in the UN process. IEN will have several media-worthy actions. They are also in many ways the (unsung) intellectual leaders and political strategists behind which much of the rest of the alignment follows.

 

Tom Goldtooth has been following these proceedings since Rio, over 20 years ago. He is an experienced negotiator in arenas including the UNFCCC, but also in the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples and the World Conference on Sustainable Development.


Goldtooth anticipates that the REDD agreements will be one of the major flashpoints of this negotiations. Mexico and many other governments would like to push through some sort of REDD agreement. Many other folks from small farmers to indigenous peoples, to youth and other constituencies from the communities where these polluting facilities are located, where their communities suffer the daily impacts of rare cancers, asthma, and premature death, say that REDD and associated programs lets corporations - and governments - off the hook by allowing them to continue polluting while likely kicking poor land based communities off their lands somewhere "else."


IEN will have a talented inside team of peoples impacted by fossil fuel extracting and producing industries such as the Tar Sands in northern Alberta and people from communities whose homelands are disappearing under a rising ocean on the north slope of Alaska.

 

And, below, a note form the compas in the Gulf Coast.

More later. Gotta go catch my plane. See you in the interwebs or on the streets!

* * * * *

A Special Thanksgiving For Mississippi's Gulf Coast
by Liana Lopez

 

Gulfport, MS - Residents along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, a region still struggling to recover from the worst hurricane disaster in American history and more recently, the worst American oil spill, have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday.
  
A little more than a week ago, H.U.D. Secretary Shaun Donovan joined Governor Haley Barbour and Mississippi Center for Justice attorney Reilly Morse in the coastal city of Gulfport to announce that $132 million would be made available for lower-income, disabled and elderly Katrina victims still suffering with unmet housing needs five years after the storm.

 

Five years after Hurricane Katrina, fair housing advocacy groups and the state department had already identified 4,400 families that would likely benefit from the extra funds when the declaration was made last week - families that had previously been denied state assistance.
  
In fact, $93 million was assigned specifically for folks that were “already in the system” while only $40 million was set-aside for new applicants.

 


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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gearing up for Cancún; Shell bankrolls REDD: Indigenous Peoples and environmentalists denounce

In advance of the climate change talks in Cancún that will begin next
week, this blog will be posting profiles of people and organizations -
and issues - to watch in the climate change negotiations.

REDD will certainly be one of the hot button issues this round.

These are the stories of the unlikely observers and negotiators,
people from some of the poorest communities across North America and
Turtle Island. While many people know that there are communities in
the global South who suffer from global ecological destruction, they
often forget about the communities who have been bearing the costs of
industrialization in the industrialized countries in "the North" for
the last 50 to 150 years. Often, the communities at risk or feeling
the drastic impacts of climate destabilization now in the global South
are literally the families and communities of the ones suffering in
the global North.

They are youth, women, Native and Indigenous Peoples, immigrants,
people of color, poor and working poor people from the communities
where oil rigs, drills, refineries, pipelines, incinerators,
landfills, toxic and hazardous waste sites, uranium and coal mines are
located, and the communities suffer from the ecological devastation
wrought by these industries and facilities.

Tune in, starting tomorrow, for profiles of the organizations and
individuals from the U.S. social movements going to Cancún, because
they know that "not only are we negotiating the future of humanity and
the earth, we are also negotiating the future distribution of the GDP
of the world."

* * * *

PRESS RELEASE

9/7/10

   For Immediate Release

Contact: Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Environmental Rights
Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (+234)8037274395

 Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director, Indigenous Environmental Network
(218)760-0442

 Shell bankrolls REDD

Indigenous Peoples and environmentalists denounce

Oil giant Shell, infamous for the genocide of the Ogoni People and
environmental destruction in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is now bankrolling
REDD,
a false solution to climate change that puts forests in the carbon
market
and has been denounced as potentially the “largest land grab of all
time.”

REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) allows
polluters like Shell, Rio Tinto and Chevron-Texaco to buy their way
out of
reducing their greenhouse emissions at source by supposedly conserving
forests. However, according to the Indigenous Environmental Network,
REDD is
rife with “perverse incentives” to convert natural forests into
monoculture
tree plantations and to actually increase deforestation.

Shell, Gasprom and the Clinton Foundation are funding the landmark
REDD
Rimba Raya project on 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) in the province of
Central
Kalimantan in Indonesia. According to Reuters, the Rimba Raya project
marks
"a milestone" in the development of a global market in forest carbon
credits.

Shell’s REDD carbon offset project could be quite a money maker.
Reuters
calculates that “At about $10 a credit, that means about $750 million
over
30 years.”

Renowned Nigerian environmentalist Nnimmo Bassey, Director of
Environmental
Rights Action and Chair of Friends of the Earth International, has a
long
history of opposing destructive oil extraction activities. “We have
suffered
Shell’s destruction of communities and biodiversity as well as oil
spills
and illegal gas flaring for decades. Now we can add financing REDD for
greenwash and profits to the long list of Shell’s atrocities.”

Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental
Network,
noted that “Shell already committed genocide against the Ogoni People
of the
Niger Delta. REDD allows Shell and other polluting corporations to
expand
fossil fuel extraction and continue destroying the climate and
violating
Indigenous Peoples’ rights worldwide. As we speak, Shell is trying to
expand
its oil drilling operations in environmentally sensitive offshore
Alaska,
despite the protests of Alaska Natives.”

“Shell is compounding its devastating impacts on Mother Earth and
Indigenous
Peoples by financing REDD which may result in the largest land may
grab of
all time and more genocide against Indigenous Peoples,” Goldtooth
warned.

According to Goldtooth, “Most of the forests of the world are found in
Indigenous Peoples’ land. REDD-type projects have already resulted in
land
grabs, violations of human rights, threats to cultural survival,
militarization, scams and servitude.”

For Teguh Surya, Campaign Director of WAHLI–Friends of the Earth
Indonesia,
REDD is simply “pathetic eco-business.” “Shell must not use our
beautiful
forests to greenwash the environmental crimes and human rights abuses
it has
committed in Nigeria and elsewhere.”

Last week, the 300 million-strong international peasant and farmer
organization, Via Campesina, rejected REDD and denounced that forest
conservation should not be used as “an excuse” so that “countries and
corporations continue contaminating…” Furthermore Via Campesina noted
that
“carbon trading has proven extremely lucrative in terms of generating
investor dividends, but has completely failed in reducing greenhouse
gases.”

CITATION: David Fogarty and Sunanda Creagh. Indonesia project boosts
global
forest CO2 market.
Reuters. Tue Aug 24, 2010.######

      BOLETÍN DE PRENSA

9/7/10

   Contacto: Nnimmo Bassey, Director Ejecutivo, Environmental Rights
Action/Amigos de la Tierra Nigeria (+234)8037274395
 Tom Goldtooth, Director Ejecutivo, Indigenous Environmental Network
(Red
Indígena sobre el Medio Ambiente)(218)760-0442

 La Petrolera Shell financia REDD

Pueblos Indígenas y ambientalistas denuncian

La empresa petrolera Shell, mundialmente censurada por haber causado
genocidio contra el Pueblo Ogoni y destrucción ambiental en la Cuenca
Níger
de Nigeria, ahora está financiando REDD, una falsa solución al cambio
climático que mete los bosques en el mercado de carbono y que ha sido
denunciado como posiblemente “la usurpación de tierras más grande de
todos
los tiempos.”

REDD (Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación) permite
a los
contaminadores como Shell, la minera Rio Tinto y la petrolera
Chevron-Texacocomprar créditos de carbono provenientes de la supuesta
conservación de los
bosques y así evitar la reducción de sus emisiones del efecto
invernadero en
el lugar donde se originan. Sin embargo, según la Red Indígena sobre
el
Medio Ambiente, REDD está cargada de “incentivos perversos” para
convertir
los bosques naturales en plantaciones de monocultivos y en realidad
REDD
aumenta la deforestación y la tala.

Shell, la empresa de gas natural Gasprom y la Fundación Clinton están
financiando el proyecto tipo-REDD Rimba Raya sobre 100,000 ha en la
provincia de Kalimantan Central en Indonesia. Según Reuters, el
proyecto
Rimba Raya marca "un hito" en el desarrollo de un mercado mundial de
créditos de carbono forestal.

Este proyecto REDD de Shell podría sacar muchísimas ganancias. Reuters
calcula que “A una tasa de 10 dólares por cada crédito de carbono, se
podría
ganar hasta $750 millones en 30 años.”

Reconocido ambientalista nigeriano, Nnimmo Bassey, Director de
Environmental
Rights Action y Presidente de Amigos de la Tierra Internacional, tiene
una
larga historia luchando contra las actividades destructivas de la
extracción
petrolera. “Shell nos ha traído puro sufrimiento, la destrucción de
comunidades y biodiversidad, así como los derrames petroleros y la
quema
ilegal de gas desde hace décadas. Ahora podemos añadir el
financiamiento de
REDD para lavar su imagen y sacar ganancias a la larga lista de las
atrocidades de Shell.”

Tom Goldtooth, Director Ejecutivo de la Red Indígena sobre el Medio
Ambiente, señaló que “Shell ya cometió genocidio contra el Pueblo
Ogoni en
la Cuenca Níger. REDD permite que Shell y otras empresas
multinacionales
expandan la extracción de combustibles fósiles y sigan destruyendo el
clima
y violando los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas del mundo.
 Actualmente,
Shell está intentando perforar en las costas de Alaska a pesar de las
protestas de los indígenas de Alaska.”

“Shell no solamente está perjudicando a la Madre Tierra y los Pueblos
Indígenas sino ahora está financiando  REDD que puede resultar en la
usurpación de tierras más grande de todos los tiempos y más genocidio
contra
los Pueblos Indígenas,” avisó Goldtooth.

Según Goldtooth, “La mayoría de los bosques del mundo se encuentran en
las
tierras de los Pueblos Indígenas. Los proyectos tipo-REDD ya han
resultado
en despojos de tierra, violaciones de derechos humanos, amenazas a la
supervivencias cultural, militarización, estafas y servidumbre.”

Para Teguh Surya, Director de Campanas de WAHLI–Amigos de la Tierra
Indonesia, REDD es simplemente “un eco-negocio descarado y patético”
“Shell
no debe utilizar nuestras selvas hermosas para el lavado verde de los
crímenes contra el medio ambiente y los abusos de los derechos humanos
que
Shell ha cometido en Nigeria y otros lados.”

La semana pasada, Vía Campesina, una organización internacional de 300
millones de campesinos, rechazó REDD y denunció que la conservación
forestal
no se debe agarrar como “excusa” para que “países y corporaciones
sigan
contaminando…” Vía Campesina también subrayó que “el comercio de
carbono ha
probado ser extremadamente lucrativo en términos de generación de
ganancias
para los inversionistas, sin embargo ha fallado rotundamente en la
reducción
de gases de efecto invernadero.”

CITA: David Fogarty y Sunanda Creagh. Indonesia project boosts global
forest
CO2 market.
Reuters. 24/8/10.######

 Graphic- Shell bankrolls REDD- FINAL.jpg
2942KViewDownload

 Shell bankrolls REDD - Press Release-FINAL-english.doc
47KViewDownload

 Petrolera Shell financia REDD - Boletin de Prensa - FINAL.doc
47KViewDownload

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Gearing Up for Cancún Climate Talks: Indigenous Environmental Network, La Via Campesina, Bolivia

Indigenous Peoples organize climate action for Cancun summit

By Brenda Norrell

Photo: Michelle Cook, Navajo, Cochabamba, Bolivia 2010

As Indigenous Peoples prepare for the UN Climate Summit in Cancun, Bolivia announced that the climate change efforts of Indigenous Peoples in Cochabamba, Bolivia, resulted in the United Nations establishing the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014.

Native people from the Americas are preparing to travel by caravans, establish tent cities and organize marches in Mexico City and Cancun, for the climate summit, Nov. 29 -- Dec. 10.

Far from being naïve about the official negotiations in Cancun and the opposition of exploiting corporations and governments, Native people are bringing their own media to broadcast their voices to the world.

The Indigenous Environmental Network will broadcast live, by way of Earthcycles, http://www.earthcycles.net . In Cochabamba, IEN exposed the fraud of carbon credits and REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.) IEN led efforts to protect forests, land, air and water, and uphold sovereign ancestral rights.

Ofelia Rivas, O’odham, is among the grassroots Indigenous Peoples from the US/Mexico border who will take the voices of the people to Cancun. Rivas was cochair of the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

La Via Campesina announced Indigenous Peoples, farmers and their allies are arriving in Cancun by caravans from throughout Mexico.

La Via Campesina’s forum and mega-march takes place in Mexico City on November 30. On December 2 in Cancun, Via Campesina opens the national-international camp of Indigenous Peoples, farmers and their allies. On December 4 to 10, at its camp, is the "Global Forum for the Earth and for our Peoples: Environmental and Social Justice Now!" A mega-march in Cancun takes place on December 7.

Meanwhile, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, said its initiatives with climate change and Indigenous Peoples resulted in the United Nations General Assembly approving by consensus a draft resolution, A/C.3/65/L.22/Rev.1 , in which countries agreed to hold a World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014.

The Conference, which will take place at the end of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, 2005 – 2014, aims to exchange criteria for the fulfillment of the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The resolution aims at solutions to the problems faced by Indigenous Peoples in areas including culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and socio-economic development.

The UN resolution makes reference to the first World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, organized by the Plurinational State of Bolivia in Cochabamba from April 20th to 22nd, 2010.

President Evo Morales welcomed 35,000 to the conference in Bolivia and the majority were Indigenous Peoples. The 17 working groups produced declarations, including the Peoples Agreement and Declaration of Indigenous Peoples, establishing standards for climate change and the protection of Mother Earth.

The UN resolution was co-sponsored by the following nations: Argentina, Australia, Benin, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Upon its adoption, the following were added: the United States, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Estonia, Spain, Albania, Chile, Greece, Congo, Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Paraguay and Luxembourg.

Updates at Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

Watch live at Earthcycles, Nov. 29--Dec. 10, 2010

http://www.earthcycles.net

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL CO. Settle Clean Air Act Lawsuit

Look what rolled across my inbox just now!

                                                                     

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:         FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Thursday, November 18, 2010               Luke Metzger, Environment Texas 512-743-8257

Neil Carman, Sierra Club 512-663-9594

Josh Kratka, Esq., NELC 617-747-4346

 

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL CO.

AGREE TO SETTLEMENT OF CLEAN AIR ACT LAWSUIT

 

Chevron Phillips Would Cut Emissions from Cedar Bayou Plant in Baytown, Texas

 

$2 Million Penalty Payment Would Fund Local Environmental Health Initiative

 

HOUSTON – Sierra Club and Environment Texas announced today that they have filed a proposed Consent Decree in federal court that would settle their Clean Air Act lawsuit against Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.  If approved by U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas, the settlement agreement would bring significant changes to the company’s Cedar Bayou Chemical Plant, a complex of manufacturing facilities located in Baytown that is one of the largest in the Houston area.  The agreement would require:

·         mandatory reductions in air emissions from “upset” events;

·         extensive operational upgrades;

·         enhanced monitoring of air emissions;

·         payment of a $2 million penalty, which will fund a local health project.

 

                In 2009, the environmental groups settled a similar Clean Air Act lawsuit against Shell Oil Company for violations at its Deer Park refinery and chemical plant complex.  Shell similarly agreed to reduce upset emissions, and paid a record $5.8 million penalty.

 

“This settlement agreement represents a second major victory in our fight for clean air on Texas’s Gulf Coast,” said Neil Carman, Clean Air Program Director for Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter.  “We urge other companies in the region to take note of Chevron Phillips’ willingness to work constructively with us in developing solutions to problems at the Cedar Bayou facility – problems that are not unique to Chevron Phillips.”

 

“Today’s settlement demonstrates once again the crucial role that citizens can and must play in the enforcement of environmental laws in Texas,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas.  “This agreement will provide a double benefit to residents in the Houston Ship Channel area:  cleaner air, and a program to treat people with health issues that may have an environmental component.”

 

The lawsuit, filed in August 2009, focused primarily on illegal air emissions arising from so-called “upset” events:  equipment breakdowns, malfunctions, and other non-routine occurrences.  The groups alleged that hundreds of Clean Air Act violations at the Cedar Bayou facility since 2003 resulted in the release of more than a million pounds of air pollutants, including toxic chemicals such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene.

 

Air quality in Harris County is consistently ranked as among the worst in the nation, particularly for ground-level ozone, or smog.  The 1,200-acre Cedar Bayou plant, located along Interstate 10, is one of the largest sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among the 275 industrial plants in Harris County.  VOCs emitted by industrial facilities during upset events – most notably ethylene, propylene, 1,3-butadiene, and butenes, which form the vast majority of upset emissions from the Cedar Bayou plant – have been found to play a particularly significant role in causing many high ozone days in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area.    

               

Highlights of the proposed settlement include:

 

·         A strict annual cap on “upset” emissions, to take effect immediately (the 35,000-pound annual cap represents an 85% reduction from the 500,000 pounds of pollutants released during upset events in 2008);

·         Automatic monetary penalties for violations of the annual emissions cap or other emission limits in the plant’s Clean Air Act permits;

·         Extensive operational upgrades to reduce flaring and prevent upsets;

·         Enhanced VOC monitoring in key areas of the plant to detect vapor leaks of dangerous pollutants, such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene.

 

In addition, Chevron Phillips would pay a $2 million penalty for its past violations.  The groups believe this is the second-largest penalty in an environmental citizen enforcement suit in Texas history, after the 2009 Shell settlement.  The entire penalty payment will be used by the Baylor College of Medicine to fund a multi-year environmental health project in the Ship Channel area.  Baylor will collaborate with existing clinics and hospitals to provide clinical services (including a mobile health clinic) to an underserved population, and will provide continuing education to physicians and other health professionals regarding a comprehensive, integrated environmental health assessment and management approach.

 

The Clean Air Act’s “citizen suit” provision, which allows private citizens to enforce the Act in federal court, requires a judge to wait 45 days before signing a proposed consent decree to allow time for the U.S. EPA to review and comment on it. 

 

Environment Texas advocates for clean air, clean water, and preservation of Texas’s natural areas on behalf of approximately 5,000 members statewide.

                Sierra Club has approximately 24,000 members in Texas who are dedicated to exploring, enjoying, and protecting Texas’ environment and natural resources.

                The groups are represented by: the National Environmental Law Center; attorney David Nicholas of Newton, Massachusetts; and Houston attorney Philip Hilder.

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BREAKING [video]: A Call for Help Led to Deportation Proceedings: Domestic Violence Victim Confronts Director of Secure Communities

Dear friends,

One week away from being in Cancún with an amazing crew of people of color (including youth, women and Indigenous Peoples from all over Turtle Island), where I will be writing and reporting on these delegations and their goals.

In the meantime, news from the migrant justice frontlines: friends at the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (http://www.nnirr.org) have documented that over the last several years that women have been targeted in particular ways under the increasing dragnet of immigration enforcement and deportations. This year's report will be released the week of December 10.

This press release and video demonstrates exactly the reasons that sheriff's departments all over the country have refused to participate in the Secure Communities program, or similar 287(g) poli-migra programs: if victims of crimes calling for help have legitimate fears of being deported for calling for help, then the police and sheriff are unable to fulfill their mandates to protect the public good.

In my understanding, under the law there are different kinds of infractions: things that are criminal - like murder and rape - and acts that are civil infractions - like parking tickets. While I also have critiques of the ways that we think about criminality in the U.S., the distinction is a big one. Immigration-related infractions have always been considered civil infractions, not criminal ones. That's why using the police as ICE (migra) is so dangerous - it is mixing and confusing two categories of law that are supposed to be separate.

In the meantime, please watch and think about this. What are the effects of this system on our families, in all the ways that we are family?

Luv,
Diana

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PRESS RELEASE


~ Please forward widely ~

contact: B. Loewe, NDLON. 773.791.4668

Domestic Violence Victim Confronts Director of "Secure Communities"

A Call for Help Led to Deportation Proceedings.

http://pitch.pe/102558, watch the video at

11.18.2010– Maria Bolanos, a domestic violence victim who's call for help led to deportation proceedings, confronted David Venturella, director of the immigration enforcement program, "Secure Communities," at today's Woodrow Wilson Center panel discussion.

Bolanos demanded the program be ended and that her case be dropped immediately. "I do not want to be separated from my child. I am not a criminal. I ask that you terminate my case and all those under secure communities."

Watch the dramatic video here

Her case and others like it highlight the dangers of the rapidly expanding federal program that matches fingerprints of those taken into police custody with the federal immigration database.

ICE is forcing the program upon and refusing to honor at least three counties who have voted to not participate in the program due to its secretive nature and evidence of its damage to community and police relations. Those counties (Santa Clara, CA, San Francisco, and Arlington, VA) cite examples like Bolanos as reason for opting out of participation.

Like when Michelle Obama had to answer to an elementary school student who asked why the president is sending families without papers away, this is another instant where the administration's policies are confronted face-to-face with the broken families their policies create.

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Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

Monday, November 15, 2010

for the travelers in my life

Here is a letter from radiation experts to John Holdren, Obama's assistant in science and technology, on their concern over the safety of the new airport scanners in use throughout US airports and courthouses (not sure in other countries?).  These new scanners are apparently delivering very strong exposure to the skin and the tissue immediately underlying the skin:

An activist has designated Nov 24 (the US holiday when people travel to have Thanksgiving dinner with family) as national opt-out day on these scanners, mostly on the grounds that it invades privacy (see photos in this link):

National Opt-Out Day Called Against Invasive Body Scanners

My advice is to refuse going through the scanners, and request a manual pat down, but the new pat down rules apparently is more invasive (using open hand as opposed to back of hand, as previously done).  Different airports may still use different practices...

I also encourage folks to print out multiple copies of the scientists' letter, bring it with you to the airport, and distribute it among people in the cue for the security check (and ask them to pass it on down the cue when they're finished reading).  You could ask as many people as possible to refuse the scanner, which could send a stronger message to the airport authorities.

Maggie

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

TODAY: News Roundup from the Justice Frontlines: Tar Sands, Coal Slurry and Mangroves exploding; look out tomorrow 1 pm MT for some Immigrant rights news!

Just got back from an amazing & refreshing weekend at the National Women's Studies Association Conference in Denver, CO. Denver reminds me of Portland. Apparently it snowed right after I got out on a place to sunny SoCal. Land of old-like-new car care. Watched La Mission on Netflix this weekend. Cried and sniffled through at least half of it. Missing my folks in the Bay and loving the new lives and landscapes we-all bring into being together.

1. Fort McKay (Alberta, Canada). Tar Sands sludge uncontainable and leaking into the muskeg - poisoning wildlife and water and against the needs and demands of First Nations indigenous communities: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/11/14/edmonton-tailings-pond-cnrl.html

2. Appalachia. Coal slurry poisoning rural communities water supplies are suing Massey Coal! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/15/massey-lawsuit-over-700-a_n_783835.html?ref=tw

3. Explosion at hotel in Cancun caused seven deaths, caused by building on top of mangroves.

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Introducing: This year's Brower Youth Award winners!

I was on this year's selection committee and honored to be able to support the work of these young environmentalists.
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http://checktheweather.net/2010/11/08/introducing-the-2010-class-of-brower-youth-award-winners-the-most-diverse-class-yet/

Introducing the 2010 Class of Brower Youth Award Winners: The Most DIVERSE Class Yet!

This past October the Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative awarded the 11th annual Brower Youth Awards honoring six change makers between the ages of 16 and 22 for their work on environmental issues. Ellen and I happened to be in the building for the show and were excited to see the amazing regional and cultural diversity of the winners. SO without further ado, we would like to introduce you to the 2010 Brower Youth Award Winners!

For the rest of the article, see: http://checktheweather.net/2010/11/08/introducing-the-2010-class-of-brower-youth-award-winners-the-most-diverse-class-yet/

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Pretty fabulous statement from Collective Latin American Feminism and the WPCCC

I think this statement is a powerful enunciation of feminist principles and analysis within a collective liberation framework. one thing that I see missing is the power and insight of some of the indigenista feminist and queer leaders who I have met or heard about over the years. However, this document is poetic, and also articulates  version of feminism that is linked to collective autonomy, self-determination and liberation. In particular there is a clear articulation against private property, something that is largely missing in the discourse and imagination of the political progressives and left in North America. ~diana

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www.kaosenlared.net

Pronunciamiento del Feminismo Comunitario latinoamericano en la Conferencia de los pueblos sobre Cambio Climático

En Tiquipaya cercana a Cochabamba, Bolivia, nos hemos encontrado con otras mujeres que estaban sintiendo y pensando lo que nosotras estábamos diciendo...
Asambleas del Feminismo Comunitario | Para Kaos en la Red | 22-4-2010
www.kaosenlared.net/noticia/pronunciamiento-feminismo-comunitario-latinoamericano-conferencia-pueb
... a partir del documento que presentamos en la mesa 152 como asambleas del feminismo comunitario  y de los aportes de compañeras latinoamericanas, indígenas y  de otras compañeras y hermanas feministas, surge este pronunciamiento que sabemos que no ha sido escuchado por los  muy patriarcas organizadores de  esta "Cumbre". Varones que han discutido entre sí para medir fuerzas entre  institucionales y "alternativos" en mesas supuestamente "censuradas"... Varones que han gritado que quieren el dinero, los fondos de  "los del Norte" como reparacìón a lo que nos han hecho a los sures... 

Esto, entre muchas otras cosas,  queremos decirles a hermanas, compañeras, lamngen, y también a hombres antipatriarcales. Esto quisimos pronunciar por y con la Pachamama, Mapu...:

PRONUNCIAMIENTO DEL FEMINISMO COMUNITARIO EN LA CONFERENCIA DE LOS PUEBLOS SOBRE CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO

Desde el feminismo comunitario

Entendemos a la Pachamama, a la  Mapu,  como un todo que va mas allá de la naturaleza visible, que va mas allá de los planetas, que contiene a la vida, las relaciones establecidas entre los seres con vida, sus energías, sus necesidades y susdeseos. Denunciamos que la comprensión de Pachamama como sinónimo de Madre Tierra es reduccionista y machista, que hace referencia solamente a la fertilidad para tener a las mujeres y a la Pachamama a su arbitrio patriarcal.

“Madre Tierra”, es un concepto utilizado hace varios años y que se intenta consolidar en esta Conferencia de los pueblos sobre Cambio Climático con la intención de reducir a la Pachamama –así como nos reducen a las mujeres- a su función de útero productor y reproductor al servicio del patriarcado. Entienden a la Pachamama como algo que puede ser dominada y manipulada al servicio del “desarrollo” y del consumo- y no la conciben como el cosmos del cual la humanidad sólo es una pequeña parte.

El cosmos, No Es, el “Padre Cosmos”. El cosmos es parte de la Pachamama. No aceptamos que “casen”, que obliguen al matrimonio a la Pachamama.En esta Conferencia hemos escuchado cosas insólitas como que el “padre Cosmos” existe independiente de la Pachamama y hemos entendido que no toleran el protagonismo de las mujeres y de la Pachamama, y que tampoco aceptan que ella y nosotras nos autodeterminemos. Cuando hablan del “padre Cosmos” intentan minimizar y subordinar a la Pachamama a un Jefe de Familia masculino y heterosexual. Pero, ella, la Pachamama, es un todo y no nos pertenece. Nosotras y nosotros somos de ella.

Comunidad

Concebimos a la comunidad como ser en sí misma, con identidad propia. Mujeres, hombres, tierra, territorio, animales, vegetales. Verticalmente,arriba –cielo, espacio aéreo y todos sus seres vivos-, abajo –subterráneo, vida animal, vegetal y mineral. Y horizontalmente, aquí –donde nos movemos todos los seres vivos humanos, animales y vegetales- la extensión de la tierra y el territorio de la comunidad hasta los límites que ella y otras comunidades designen.

Cuando hablamos de las comunidades estamos hablando de todas las comunidades. Urbanas, rurales, territoriales, políticas, sexuales, comunidades de lucha, educativas, comunidades de afecto, universitarias, comunidades de tiempo libre, comunidades de amistad, barriales, generacionales, religiosas, deportivas, culturales, comunidades agrícolas, etc.

Creemos que todo grupo humano puede, si lo decide, construir comunidad, eliminando la propiedad privada sobre los medios de producción, reconociendo el trabajo de todo tipo, comenzando por el doméstico; repartiendo el trabajo de manera equitativa, en relación a las capacidades, habilidades, deseos y necesidades de cadaintegrante, asumiendo los productos y beneficios que cada integrante crea y elabora -sean estos abstractos o concretos- como bienes comunes e individuales.

Hablamos de comunidad y de las mujeres y hombres de los pueblos indígenas, sin embargo no idealizamos la comunidad actual en la que persisten las relaciones de dominación y donde las mujeres somos la yapa de los hombres. Las comunidades actuales son patriarcales y por ello es que estamos proponiendo otra forma de comunidad, horizontal y reciproca, donde las y los integrantes sean reconocidos y respetados como individuos autónomos

Una comunidad no es una suma de individualidades, si no otro lugar dinámico, más que la suma. La comunidad nutre a quienes caminan con la comunidad, y ella, a su vez, es alimentada por el trabajo, el desarrollo y elaboraciones individuales y colectivas que se dan en su interior.

Los haceres comunitarios tienen rostros, cuerpos, voces específicas –únicas- y son llevados a cabo realizando los talentos y capacidades individuales. Para que la gente elabore, reflexione y piense, requiere libertad y reconocimiento. También cada una y cada uno, asume las necesidades comunitarias y busca fortalecer ese espacio de pertenencia y afecto que es su comunidad. Se produce en la comunidad -más allá del cariño o no que en particular se tengan las y los integrantes-, un afecto por esa otredad: la comunidad.

La comunidad es un ser distinto a todas y todos y a la vez es todos y todas porque la pertenencia tiene una dinámica propia, un engranaje que produce cercanía afectiva, intelectual, valórica y reconocimiento del derecho a disentir de cada integrante. La crítica, la discusión, la diferencia de opiniones, explícitas y responsables, no se viven como agresión en la comunidad que ha hecho procesos comunitarios honestos y respetuosos.

Reciprocidad

A la comunidad, la rige el principio de reciprocidad no sólo con la tierra y el territorio sino entre sus integrantes, y entre sus integrantes y la comunidad como una otra.

La reciprocidad no es lo mismo que intercambio de posesiones. No es: “me das y te doy”, si no una manera de relación ética. Tampoco es dictadura impositiva a partir de amenazas físicas y/o afectivas. Comunidad, como la vemos, es una relación en la que aunque nadie esté obligada u obligado todos y todas son habitadas por la impronta que los alinea con la comunidad de pertenencia. Así el sentimiento de percibir al otro y a la otra como digno e igual y el impulso natural de buscar su satisfacción será parte de la manera psicosocial de funcionar comunitariamente.

Los y las integrantes de la comunidad tienen apego entre sí –no por sangre o genes, sino por historia, memoria, territorio, valores, expectativas -. El Vivir Bien del hermano o la hermana de la comunidad es una responsabilidad y un deseo de todas y todos.

Así mismo, cuando una persona comunitaria brinda a otra un bien concreto o simbólico, lo hace desarrollando su propio don y habilidad de brindar. Esto le alegra a la vez que le enaltece éticamente y le asegura que cuando ella –él- lo requiera estarán disponibles los bienes materiales y simbólicos para su Vivir Bien.

Cuerpo y Autonomía

La comunidad es un cuerpo que se pertenece a sí mismo y que tiene una dinámica propia en la cual cada integrante es único y necesario, a la vez que autónomo o autónoma, pues la autonomía será el principio que garantizará a cada persona, igualdad en dignidad y derechos, y que probará la coherencia ética de una comunidad que no oprime a sus integrantes obligándoles a ser idénticos o a llevar a cabo usos y costumbres patriarcales, transgresores y de coerción. El cuerpo es el instrumento con que los seres tocamos la vida, ese cuerpo merece espacio y tiempo concreto y simbólico solo por estar en el mundo, así la comunidad respeta ese espacio y ese tiempo y es más, lo sustenta con afecto por su propio ser. Cada cuerpo en la comunidad, en el sentido general y dinámico, es una parte del ser comunitario.

El cuerpo de la comunidad está constituido por mujeres y hombres como dos mitades imprescindibles, no jerárquicas, recíprocas y autónomas una de la otra, pero en permanente coordinación.

La autonomía como principio antipatriarcal está enmarcada en el contexto de la anti-jerarquía tanto en el sentido concreto como en el sentido simbólico, ya que autonomía no significa desligarse de los otros y otras, no quiere decir desinteresarse por la comunidad, pero sí constituye un proceso continuo de coherencia consigo misma.

Autonomía implica un ser y existir desde el propio mundo íntimo y personal en comunidad con el mundo público –con el mundo comunitario-. Implicaría hacerse cargo de la propia manera de ver, oír, sentir para aportarla a la comunidad, porque la comunidad no tiene jamás acceso a esa mirada, a esa escucha, ni a ese sentimiento único. Es sólo la propia persona comunitaria la que tiene acceso a su íntimo y personal y como tal lo comparte con generosidad con las demás.

Así, ser autónoma, autónomo, es un beneficio para sí misma –para sí mismo- por la coherencia, dignidad y libertad que le significa a la persona. También es un beneficio del que la comunidad no puede prescindir ya que se nutre de esa autonomía para mirar el mundo por los ojos de cada integrante. Cada integrante ve desde sí y hay tantas miradas como integrantes. Así, ver distinto no es conflicto, si no la oportunidad de buscar la riqueza y armonía de las miradas de todas y todos para fortalecer la solidez de la comunidad. Un cuerpo comunitario de idénticos además de ser débil, no logrará desarrollar saberes, tecnologías ni ningún proceso eficiente, pues no hay aportes diversos que contrastar y coordinar.

Par político en vez de complementariedad

El par comunitario mujer-hombre, es un par político, no de género ni erótico-afectivo.

Par de génerosignificaría una complementariedad desigual –una dicotomía- en la cual “lo femenino” complementa a “lo masculino” con todas las atribuciones y/o asignaciones patriarcales que ello significa: mujeres reproductoras, fuerza de trabajo doméstica y sostenedora afectiva del desequilibrio entre hombres y mujeres; y hombres proveedores y poseedores de los privilegios que le entrega la fuerza de trabajo doméstica y afectiva que perpetua la dependencia de las mujeres. También hablaría de dictámenes de usos y costumbres ética y estéticamente rígidos y fortalecedoras del género como constructo patriarcal de femenino-masculino.

Par erótico-afectivo, por otra parte significaría, heterosexual, es decir, la obligatoriedad sexual amorosa de que hombres y mujeres se apareen, negando así la diversidad de deseos eróticos, sexuales y amorosos homosexuales y lésbicos.

La comprensión y propuesta de comunidad que hacemos desde el feminismo comunitario observa en primer lugar, que la vida de todas y todos se maneja en tres ámbitos que no son espacios estancos ni contradictorios, si no que son dinámicos y en constante alimentación y conflicto mutuo: El ámbito íntimo, personal y público y esto tiene como eje central la sexualidad.

La relación que reclamamos de parte de las comunidades es una de respeto y dignidad, que significa antes que nada ausencia de daño.

Pachamama no es propiedad

Generalmente una comunidad es parte de un territorio determinado, aunque también puede que su territorio sea una elección nómade y lo que haga esa comunidad sea interrelacionarse con un territorio y sus recursos, temporalmente. En cualquier caso, la relación con la pachamama es una relación recíproca y no de propiedad. La gente es parte de la pachamama y la pachamama no es propiedad de nadie. Ella es propia de sí misma y a la vez es nuestra madre, pero que la pachamama sea nuestra madre no quiere decir que tengamos que arrebatarle sus cualidades y a los seres que constituyen su naturaleza como minerales, animales y vegetales para el enriquecimiento, la plusvalía o el lujo.

La pachamama garantiza la vida de la comunidad, sin ella no hay vida. Por ello, a su vez la comunidad, trata con respeto a la pachamama, sin depredarla, sin eliminar, torturar y perseguir a los seres que están ella. Tampoco la enajena, vende o compra, y en coherencia con ello no hay títulos de propiedad, si no apenas definición de límites comunitarios que respeten los límites de las comunidades vecinas.

Los procesos autonómicos en el mundo, muestran esta necesidad creada de propiedad, la necesidad de desmembrar a la Pachamama, de parcelarla y repartirla como botín. Si bien la autonomía puede ser entendida como una democratización del poder de decisión, como la profundización de la descentralización, es en su materialidad reclamada también desde los pueblos indígenas que ven condicionado su accionar en el marco de un Estado Neoliberal y Patriarcal que no les deja más opción que demandar la propiedad sobre su territorio, sobre aquel cosmos, árboles, piedras y animales que conviven equilibradamente con ellos y ellas; este Estado no les deja más opción que exigir títulos de propiedad para enfrentarse legítimamente con las corporaciones y transnacionales a las cuales, el mismo Estado, les ha arrendado este su espacio vital para explotarlo y depredarlo.

Es necesario entonces, desmontar el Estado Patriarcal y Neoliberal en sus concepciones perversas para poder –como pueblos- interactuar con un par político, un igual que sólo prevé el bienestar colectivo e individual, que no lo determina, oprime y norma, como hacen los estados hoy.

No creemos en reclamar tierra para las mujeres, si no en anular la propiedad patriarcal, la decisión unilateral y el control masculino sobre la tierra, el territorio, los mares, los lagos y el cielo. Creemos en abolir la guerra que depreda, sustrae territorio y hace de las mujeres su Botín de guerra.

Depredación de la pachamama y maternidad obligatoria de las mujeres

Una cosa es que la pachamama nos sostenga y nos contenga, que esté dispuesta o tenga la potencialidad para nuestra alimentación, creaciones y recreación, y otra que sea “derecho” y propiedad del ser humano explotarla, comprarla, venderla, enajenarla o depredarla.

Lo mismo con las mujeres, una cosa es que tengamos la capacidad de parir y otra que sea obligación o prohibición. Si una comunidad manipula el cuerpo y la maternidad de las mujeres le está arrebatando el derecho a la autodeterminación. La prohibición de interrumpir los embarazos no deseados o amenazantes para la vida y la integridad física y psicológica de una mujer, es violencia concreta y simbólica contra todas las mujeres. El control sobre el proceso de gestación-embarazo y parto de parte de los estados, gobiernos y otras instituciones, es un privilegio patriarcal que se sostiene sobre el género y la violencia contra las mujeres, y que reclamamos que la comunidad no repita.

La depredación de la tierra es una operación del neocolonialismo, el capitalismo,el neoliberalismo y sus instituciones como las trasnacionales, el Banco Mundial y sus políticas de ajuste, y todo ello se sostiene sobre el clasismo, el racismo, las invasiones y la deuda externa. Si cada pueblo tuviera derecho a autodeterminarse dentro de los límites de la pertenencia a la pachamama y no al revés –que la tierra le pertenezca- no habría depredación, invasiones ni propiedad sobre la tierra, el territorio, la gente y los demás seres. La comunidad tiene derecho a la autodeterminación dentro de los límites de la autonomía de cada una de sus integrantes y cada mujer tiene derecho a autodeterminarse en libertad y voluntad asumiendo el ser comunitario y la reciprocidad con él. La mujer no está obligada a parir, ni puede prohibírsele parir. El control de su fecundidad y sexualidad le corresponde sólo a ella. El proceso sucede dentro de su cuerpo. Son, su salud, su cuerpo, sus deseos los que se resienten a partir de partos, abortos, maternidad, relaciones sexuales y matrimonio. Así contravenir esta realidad significa daño y violencia de género.

Cambio Climático y Responsabilidad Social

El Cambio Climático no es un proceso natural de la Pachamama, ni de autorregulación ni de autodeterminación, elementos coartados por la humanidad que no la concibe como un ente con vida y con derechos. El Cambio Climático es consecuencia de la actividad humana, de los excesos humanos concebidos en el marco de un modelo de desarrollo depredador que se sostiene con el consumo de combustibles fósiles y con la deforestación y violentación de la naturaleza para ampliar las ciudades de cemento. Un sistema capitalista y patriarcal donde todo es mercancía, todo puede ser propiedad privada y tener un precio, y toda consecuencia de la actividad humana puede ser reparada o modificada con la ciencia y la tecnología. Es consecuencia de un sistema que se siente creador como punto cumbre de su poder y que en realidad ha socavado las condiciones mínimas para perpetuar la vida en un cosmos armónico; para nosotras la Pachamama.

Los efectos del Cambio Climático son diferentes para las mujeres y tienen mayor intensidad, a partir de su rol socialmente asignado, donde la producción, alimentación y cuidado de la familia es central; la crianza de las wawas y el trabajo fuera de la casa que no implica que se deje de hacer el trabajo denominado doméstico. Esto la confronta con mayor intensidad frente a los cambios del clima. En las áreas rurales su trabajo agrícola y de pastoreo se complica, debe recorrer más distancias para encontrar más forraje, debe trabajar más en la tierra para devolverle su productividad, debe hacer cálculos permanentes para sembrarantes o después según se avecinen lluvias o heladas, en un clima incierto, todo a partir de sus saberes cotidianos. En las ciudades, la dinámica de las mujeres también se ve afectada, el cuidado de la salud de los hijos demanda más tiempo y conocimiento, el aprovisionamiento de alimentos-que yano llegan del área rural en la misma época, que no llegan siempre en el mejor estado por calor o frío extremos, y cuyo precio se incrementa también mereced a los cambios de clima-, demandan de ellas más tiempo, más trabajo y recreación permanente de sus conocimientos para confrontar una nueva realidad.

Esta asignación inequitativa de roles y tareas para sostener a la sociedad, la entendemos como patriarcal, y es desde esta misma lógica que hoy “el mundo” piensa enfrentar al Cambio Climático.

Evidentemente unos países, los que se autodenominan desarrollados, han depredado, contaminado y violentado a la Pachamama más que otros. El 75% de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero que causan los cambios climáticos son producidos por estos países, sus industrias, élites y corporaciones, entonces, surge el concepto de Deuda Ambiental, nuevamente una visión capitalista que cree que la vida arrebatada y destruida por la actividad de estos países puede ser compensada con dinero, es decir, buscan ponerle un precio.

Pero ¿Quiénes recibirán dinero a cambio del daño causado al planeta? Desde una lógica bastante simplona, los malos del norte le pagarán a los buenos del sur para reparar su daño, para seguir causándolo con menos críticas y mayor legitimidad, pues pagan por eso. Lo pueblos del sur deben utilizar este dinero para conservar la naturaleza y para inventar una nueva forma de vida que dañe menos a la Pachamama. Para el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, el Banco Mundial y otros organismos especializados en “cooperar” o más bien imponer “soluciones” a todo tipo de problemáticas, económicas, de derechos, de género y hoy ambientales, son las mujeres las llamadas a ser protagonistas en este empeño, es decir, el dinero de un posible Fondo Global, será destinado a transferencias de tecnología, especialmente a las mujeres, para la adaptación y mitigación de los cambios climáticos, pues son una realidad y hay que enfrentarlos.

Nuevamente la visión patriarcal que entiende al hombre como cultura y a la mujer como naturaleza, se impone para asignarnos una responsabilidad más “reparar el daño que causaron al planeta”, una más a nuestras múltiples responsabilidades de arduo trabajo y mínimo reconocimiento. Si nuestras visiones y conocimientos no han sido asumidas en el análisis de la problemática ambiental, hecha por los estados y organismos “especializados” no seremos nosotras “ejecutoras de sus soluciones”.

Desde el feminismo comunitario demandamos que todos y todas quienes han contribuido al calentamiento global, contaminación y por ende cambio climático asuman su responsabilidad en la medida que les corresponda, unos o unas más que otros, seguramente.

Desde el feminismo comunitario nos negamos a aceptar que son las mujeres quienes deban ser “capacitadas” con tecnologías de los “países desarrollados” para sanar a la Pachamama. No vamos a asumir solas, una responsabilidad que es colectiva y social. No. Consideramos que pagar por la violencia ejercida contra la Pachamama no es una alternativa, cargarle la responsabilidad a la mujer, tampoco lo es; creemos que se debe partir de un trabajo colectivo en el que todas y todos, las comunidades, los países y los estados reconozcan, asuman y respeten a la Pachamama como un todo que tiene vida y que genera vida también. Un todo capaz de regenerarse y autorregularse si respetamos su autodeterminación. Un todo del cual formamos parte y que nos cobija en su ser, siendo nosotras solamente cuidadoras y cuidadores circunstanciales que nos nutrimos y alimentamos de ella, respetándola. No la parcelamos ni exigimos derecho de propiedad. La tecnología y el dinero deben estar al servicio de experiencias gestadas desde esta concepción para encarar el Cambio Climático.

Desde esta mirada feminista comunitaria, reiteramos que no queremos dinero a cambio del daño causado a la Pachamama nia las mujeres. Aceptar dineros será como una bomba de tiempo, significara que sigan explotando y pagando por la explotación. Queremos la restitución de derechos. Ya no se puede reparar el daño causado, pero se puede restituir los derechos de la Pachamama y para ello desmantelar el patriarcado con sus estados, sus ejércitos, sus trasnacionales, su lógica jerárquica y toda la violencia que ello significa para las mujeres y la Pachamama. Tampoco aceptaremos que nos responsabilicen a las mujeres por la depredación, lo que tenemos ante nosotras y nosotros es una tarea comunitaria. O sea, de todas y todos.

http://mujerescreandocomunidad.blogspot.com/

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

Inspiring words for Monday: Love Force

Today, I bring you the inspiring words of Adrienne Marie Brown, who was the keynote at the Movement Generation dinner on Friday which I missed because I live down here in LA.

Movement Generation “The Future” Keynote

[there are her prep notes]

before i speak about my vision of the future, i want to tell you how amazing movement generation is – even if i don’t do a good job tonight, give them your time and money and support.

i got trained by movement generation as a part of the ruckus society (we’re sort of sister networks).

at first, they scared me – the way i have been scared before hearing environmental truths, but much more comprehensively and specifically. but unlike the other times i have been terrified by our coming dystopia, they had solutions to share with me, and they were able to point out what the false solutions were and why we needed to stop engaging in them.

they gave me a new commitment – to personally transforming my relationship with the planet, with sustainability. i mean – from what i eat to the very personal – they made it hard for me to flush a toilet because i know how valuable that resource of water is, and it’s become an issue we discuss in my family!

For the rest of the speech: http://adriennemareebrown.net/blog/?p=1649

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Youth Climate Justice Movement!

Peace, Fam, 
This just in from the fabulous folks at checktheweather.net!

* * * * *
The Youth Climate Justice Movement is Doing BIG Things This Month...


Greetings, Peace, Love and Eco-Friendly Hair Grease :),

This upcoming week will showcase big honors for Ellen Choy and I (Kari Fulton), the co-founders ofChecktheweather.net  and for fellow advocates for Climate and Environmental Justice. 

On Thursday November 11, 2010, Ellen Choy will be awarded the Robert Redford Art in Activism Award for her work as an educator, Climate Justice activist and deejay in the Bay Area. For those who have ever had the opportunity to work with Ellen you know that she is an amazing individual, dedicated to using her work to empower others in her community. She is also one of the flyest deejays I know and is steady building the soundtrack for this world we are creating. 

If you are in the Bay area, California: You can watch Ellen receive her award live and in person on Thursday November 11, 2011 from 7-9pm at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco. The awards ceremony will be hosted by Newark, New Jersey mayor Corey Booker. To buy tickets click here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/120735

As for me, this Sunday November 7th, 2010 at 8pm est./7pm cst.  BET will air the Black Girls Rock Award Show. The ceremony will honor a host of phenomenal Black women from every walk of life. I am super honored and humbled that they felt like adding my name to list of such amazing women. I get a shout out with the MAD (Making A Difference) Girl honor during the show for my work as EJCC's National Youth Campaign Coordinator engaging young people around the country and the world on environmental and climate justice issues.  

I am even more excited that Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Alpha Chapter wanted to host a watch party at my Alma Mater, Howard University and thought I should be in the room :). Over the past three and a half years working with EJCC I have had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with amazing people like you. At times it has been a really tough and emotional ride and I appreciate all the support and guidance along the way. Honestly this recognition has almost nothing to do with me and more about realizing that there is still SO much work we can and should build on to continue growing the movement for Environmental and Climate Justice. I am excited about the future and the possibilities that can come with growing our work together. 

If you are in Washington, DC area: I would love if could join the Gentlemen of Phi Beta Sigma and I at Howard University's Bethune Annex From 7:30-10pm in the Seminar Room for a viewing party of the Black Girls Rock for more information read please view the event page here:
I have also attached the flier. 

Finally, Ellen and I would  like to give a big shout out and much love to a number of other youth Climate Justice activists who have also recently been honored for their work. 
BIG Love To:
  •  EJCC director Nia Robinson for being featured in the new book Do it Anyway.
  •  Murad Awawdeh of UPROSE who won the Brooklyn Do Gooders Award,
  •  Nikke Alex of Black Mesa Water Coalition for being recognized by Ecover Magazines in their 30 under 30 list
  •  All the winners of the 2011 Brower Youth Awards, the most diverse group in the history of the New Leadership Initiative Brower Youth Awards!
For more information on all of these victories and the continued work of young leaders who are redefining what it means to "go green" please visit Checktheweather.net!   

*Oh yeah and look out for our fancy Checktheweather.net newsletter Coming SOON!*

Many Blessings,
Ellen Choy and Kari Fulton 
Checktheweather.net 

Posted via email from Decolonizing Environmentalism

BREAKING: Oscar Grant Trial

Twitter is blowing up as the sentencing results for Mehserle / Grant Trial roll in. While ABC7 reports about how sad the family looks, I want the rest of the world to see and understand the outrage of all the young people in Oakland and Los Angeles, and young Black folks around the country, and how they are responding.

2 yrs for mehserle? watch out. it ain't over. 

Damn. Wrong, wrong, wrong. RT @ Mehserle got 2 years and gets credit for 146 days he served  (live stream) BREAKING

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? RT @  Minimum sentence two years 146 served.

 garbage garbage garbage!!! This is a fucking travesty! The system is guilty... This isn't right. Pig rides free. Fuck this!!!

SHIT. RT @: Mehserle got 2 years and gets credit for 146 days he served  (live stream) BREAKING

HE ONLY GOT TWO YEARS??!?!?!!?!!! RT @ Minimum sentence two years 146 served

2 years...with 146 days served going towards that....damn shame...

"They shoot us in the back, but they can't look us in the eye," several people at Ogawa yell   l

Mehserle is going to get months, not years for murdering Oscar Grant  just saw verdict so wrong

@ you know it's different...Vick killed DOGS, Mehserle only killed an unarmed black man with a daughter...DUH 

RT @ He ripped a man from his family, tore away his life and he WALKS. HE WALKS 

maximum woulda been 15yrs... RT @ Two years state prison. 292 counted as served.

This is a tragic case of the secret code between cops and judges looking out for eachother's backs. Fucking tragic! 

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