-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of T Peter Sent: April 19, 2008 3:28 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Reader-list] Fisher people demand justice for climate refugees
Press release19-04-2008 Fisher people demand justice for climate refugees South Indian fishing community conference on Climate change and Fisherpeople's livelihood was held on 17th April 2008 at Rotary Community hall,Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district. This event was organized by TamilnaduFisher workers Union (TFU), Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation(KSMTF) and Voices from the Margins (VFM). Mr. T. Peter Dass, President,Tamilnadu Fish workers Union (TFU) delivered welcome address and he pointed out that fisher people are facing sea erosion as a result ofclimate change. This public event is recognized as the first one organized by the affected community against Climate Change and fisher people have decided to launch public protest for their sufferings as a result ofclimate change. Mr.M.Pakkirisamy, district revenue officer inaugurated this workshop and in his Chief Guest address said that sea level is rising in the last pastdecade at an unimaginable rate of increase. Sea level is expected raise 5 meters in the next 50 years and it is going to affect the fisher people.There is a need to change the consumption pattern to avoid the expansion of the hole in ozone layer. Mr. K.P. Sasi, activist film maker wondered what the government is doing to stop the carbon emission? There is a need to change the production process of the industries, agriculture and the energy systems. Nothing is done so far to the people affected by climate change and marginalized people who are becoming refugees as a result of ecological impacts thrustupon them. Dr. A.D.Shobana Raj, ecological researcher highlighted the factthat the coastal Kanyakumari district has 56 km long coast with apopulation density of 1500 per sq.km; and the coast line is vanishing. 80% of the water resources in the coastal area have become saline and peopleare facing water crisis because of the intrusion of sea water. 132 coastal sea weeds have disappeared in the last 10 years. If the global temperature rises 2 degree Celsius then it will have impact on micro organisms leadingto several contagious diseases affecting coastal people. Dr. S.P.Udayakumar social activist demanded that our energy consumption pattern should change. The solution for climate change lies in shifting our energy sector from fossil fuel dependent sector to renewable energy. Our transportation pattern should move towards effective and efficientpublic transport system rather than promoting cars which will lead toincrease in carbon emission and vehicular pollution. Mr. Sathya Sivaraman,journalist & film maker stressed the need to pinpoint who emits more carbon and who should pay for carbon credit. USA is responsible for 25% ofcarbon emission and it should take the responsibility in compensation to the victims of carbon emission and climate change. The relationship of Human species to Earth should be the equivalent to child and mother, but this species has taken up the role of the destroyer of the earth and other species. Carbon emitting industries should be changed and if this is not possible all such industries should be closed. After the people's response, Mr. T.Peter president KSMTF demanded that chemical farming practices, polluting industries and carbon emitting lifestyle should be stopped since the fisher people are the most affected bythe climate change. Today, this public event is organized with the conviction that the affected communities can not remain in halls but there is a need to launch mass public protest not just for their survival alonebut for the entire humanity locally, nationally and internationally. In the concluding session Mr. S.M.Prithiviraj, Convener, Voices from the Margins explained how the marginalized farmers of the Tamilnadu are affected by climate change in recent heavy rains as a result unusual low pressure in Arabian Sea. Fisher people are affected by changes in pattern of fish catch, reduction in fish wealth, and loss of working days as a result of climate change and tidal waves and their houses are washed away by intruding sea in many places of South India. Why should the fisherpeople pay for the impacts of climate change entirely created by other vested interests? The conference ended with a resolution questioning the polluting industries, chemical farming practices, non-renewable energy sectors,carbon emitting life style and the need for taxing the polluters to paythe price for ecologically affected fisher people and other marginalized communities. Press release issued byTamilnadu Fisher workers Union (TFU) Ph:09443294198 Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation (KSMTF) Ph:09447429243and Voices from the Margins (VFM)Ph:09843080963_________________________________________ reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.Critiques & CollaborationsTo subscribe: send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with subscribe in the subject header.To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> !DSPAM:2676,4809c950227565341120542! _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list Futurework@fes.uwaterloo.ca http://fes.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
