Up close and personal, it is hard to hide from the reality that we are all sinking beauties.
And so it is impossible not to be moved by the poignantly powerful interactive, “Sinking beauties”, which details the devastating impact of rising seas levels on over 50 Small Island Developing States (SIDSs), where climate change is causing water levels to increase at a rate four times higher than anywhere else on the planet.
The infographic, designed by the India Environment Portal, was released two weeks before the September 23 UN Climate Summit to draw attention to the communities most vulnerable today to unabated climate change.
One discovers, for example:
• a small town in the Soloman Islands has already begun the groundwork to relocate its people to a neighboring island
• much of Vanuatu, located in the earthquake and volcanically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", has already relocated further inland
• In vacation paradises like Antigua and Barbuda, where tourism accounts for 75% of GDP, degradation of their beaches, coral reefs and mangroves plantations already threaten economic stability on both islands
• the National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) designed for the nine islands of Tuvalu, identifies seven immediate and major threats to its survival: these include loss of coastal habitat and mandatory evacuation of communities; contamination of fresh water supplies and loss of agricultural land due to salinization; increased health risks due to vector and water borne illness and epidemics; significant increase in investment in disaster assessement, recovery and early warning systems. ("Between 1970 and 1990, only three tropical storms, hurricanes or cyclones stroke Tuvalu. However, between 1990 and 2005, the islands experienced thirteen similar meteorological events." (source)
The project debuts in conjunction with the publication of The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report:
What’s in it for Small Island Developing States?which finds:
The climate is already changing and SIDS are already feeling the impacts.
Further climate change is inevitable in the coming decades
Climate change is affecting SIDS’ growth and development.
Climate change poses an existential threat to some SIDS.
Adaptation can reduce the impacts of climate change, but there are limits and risks involved.
The economic cost of adaptation to climate change is high in SIDS relative to the size of their economies.
SIDS stand to benefit from further integration of climate adaptation, mitigation and development approaches.
Transformation to a low-carbon economy implies new patterns of investment International cooperation is vital to avert dangerous climate change and SIDS governments can promote ambitious global action.
(Source:
Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
While Sinking Beauties focuses on the most at-risk nations, another fascinating project shines a brilliant spotlight on the most vulnerable of us all: The world citizens of tomorrow.
Ask Why, Why Not is engaging youth aged 13-21 (those who have the most to lose from the climate crisis) in a contest which could earn them a space at the podium at the Climate Summit to ask world leaders difficult questions and demand real answers. Participants are being asked to submit a video stating their question and explaining why they consider the most important issue to be addressed at the UN Summit.
Submit your video by September 9 and sign up to demand "real action on climate change."
Here are a few examples:
Thailand
India
South Africa
My choice? Dana from the Philippines and her call for a New York Protocol:
Philippines
Save the Date! System Change Not Climate Change
If you're in the New York area for the September 21 People's Climate March, the New York City Climate Convergence is holding an alternative summit between September 19th and 21st, tasked with addressing the "root causes of the climate crises; a social-economic system that values profits above people, planet and peace. As the corporate captured UN proposes false solutions like carbon trading and sets meager greenhouse reduction targets, we will show the world what tackling global warming from the bottom up looks like."
Speakers include Naomi Klein (350.org), Vandana Shiva (Navdanya), Jacqui Patterson (NAACP), and Jill Stein (Global Climate Convergence/Liberty Tree Foundation).
Organizers are looking for volunteers to assist during the conference.
Sign up For the People's Climate March Now!
New York City, Sunday, September 21
Have you signed up yet to participate in the Peoples' Climate March? The September 21 March is being held two days before the UN Climate Summit, where government and corporate leaders will convene to discuss taking action to address climate change.
Tens of thousands are expected to march in New York City and over 700 groups and organizations are participating.
Let's make September a game-changer for the climate movement. Sign up now for a bus, train, or ride shares (or volunteer transport.) Individuals, campuses, churches and organizations are registering to host marchers.
Sign up here!!! --> People's Climate March