Fighting For Our Survival and Inspiring Political Action

Fighting For Our Survival and Inspiring Political Action

Early this morning, Monday July 3rd, climate activists gathered in Albert Park, to loudly and proudly hold rainbow flags covered with messages of climate justice, strength & ambition for the high-level attendees of the Climate Action Pacific Partnerships conference (CAPP) being held at the Grand Pacific Hotel over the next two days.

The dawn standing march, organised by the Pacific Island Climate Action Network (PICAN), was a colourful show of Pacific Island civil society support for the Pacific Leaders in tackling the root causes of climate change, and implementing real and timely solutions.

Matisse Walkden-Brown, Head of the Pacific for Greenpeace, organiser of the event and PICAN member, said:

“It’s still possible to avoid climate chaos. We want to remind our Pacific leaders of that. There are still options, decisions, ahead, that can and will, change the course of history. Our leaders have our local support to make those ambitious choices. We stand firmly behind their bravery. Fiji is the President of the Conference of Parties this year - we can be as progressive as our political representatives allow. The Pacific doesn’t have to be silent, censored or sidelined. We cannot. This is our time! This is a COP for the people, not the polluters.”

In a show of solidarity, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Paula Bennett, came to meet and greet the diverse group of climate activists.

The colourful standing march also caught the attention of Hollywood movie star, Shailene Woodley, who made her way to Albert Park to thank the team for their hard-work and promote the movement on her social media.

Noelene Nabulivou of DIVA for Equality, the Women and Gender Constituency (WGC) Liaison to the COP23 Presidency said:

“This is a time for solid proposals, real courage and political will. The peoples of the world including from climate frontline states here in the Pacific, cannot afford any less. People from diverse backgrounds are here inside and outside this crucial meeting because this is about our survival and future.”

© Scoop Media