Climate Action for the Roof of the World is a campaign on environmental degradation in Tibet launched on October 20 by the Tibetan Government in Exile, or Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in the runup to the United Nations Conference of Parties summit (UN COP21) in Paris, France next month.
The campaign urges world leaders who are gathering at the summit to recognise Tibet’s importance to the environmental health and sustainability of the planet and to make this a factor of a strong global climate agreement at COP21.
Scientists have been calling Tibet the Third Pole་due to its ice reserves, second only to the Arctic and Antarctic. Yet over the past 50 years, the temperature of the Tibetan Plateau has increased by three times the global average. Tibet is facing the impact of climate change at a higher rate than elsewhere in the world, with resultant melting glaciers, deteriorating permafrost, degrading grassland and increasing desertification. The consequences of these changes will affect Tibet and the 1.3 billion people in Asia who are dependent on the rivers flowing from Tibet.
A video recorded message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama was screened at the campaign launch. “This blue planet is our only home and Tibet is its roof. As vital as the Arctic and Antarctic, it is the Third Pole” said His Holiness in the message, adding “The Tibetan Plateau needs to be protected, not just for Tibetans but for the environmental health and sustainability of the entire world.”
There are three strands to the campaign, all participatory: Thunderclap which is looking to gain 500 supporters for Tibet Climate Action for the Roof of the World by November 28; a “Roof of the World” photo challenge which invites people to post photos on social media of themselves forming a roof over their heads with their hands; and a people’s climate march in Paris which will take place on November 29.
In his message His Holiness also said “There has been a lot of human waste problems created by people. So those problems created by human beings, logically we humans have the responsibility to reduce…and eliminate these problems, this is not political matter or religious matter but these are ultimately survival of humanity”.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay with Kalon and Secretaries of DIRR at Press Conference
Photo:Tibet.net
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the CTA, said: “Tibetans must have a say on what happens to their land; Tibetan nomads are the expert custodians of the alpine pastures and their knowledge and experience must be recognised. China’s recently introduced Environment Protection Law must be used as a legal framework to hold the Chinese government to account. This law should be fairly and rigorously implemented in Tibet.”
Dr Vandana Shiva, the renowned Indian scholar and environmentalist, has commented on the issue, saying “The Tibetan Plateau needs to be protected and Tibetans must be the stewards of their own land so they can take care of the Roof of the World which supports half of humanity”. She added: “His Holiness is sounding the warning bell for the health of the planet and we need a groundswell of support for climate action for the Roof of the World as world leaders gather in Paris.”
Tibetan non government organisations are not far behind in voicing their concern. The Tibetan Women’s Association and Students for a Free Tibet, India are preparing for three days of events in Delhi,to be coordinated by International Tibet Network. There will be street theatre and a demonstration in front of the UN Office in Delhi on November 27, a seminar at the India International Centre on November 28 and they will be leading the People’s March on November 29. The events will highlight environmental degradation in Tibet, illegal mining, damming and the forceful resettlement of Tibetan nomads. “Through these activities we are spreading awareness of Tibet’s critical environment situation as well as sending our support to the Tibetan delegations attending the summit in Paris” said Jyotsna George, SFT’s Campaign Director, India.
Traditionally Tibetan people have lived a very sustainable lifestyle with minimal waste. Before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, there were no big factories, no mining companies and no dam projects. Tibetans have a strong connection with nature, instilled by their belief in the sacred mountains, rivers and purity of nature. Since the Chinese invasion of 1950,this sustainable lifestyle that protects and respects the environment is disappearing at an increasing rate.
The 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11), otherwise known as “Paris 2015”, will be held in France from November 30 to December 11. COP21 will be a crucial conference, aimed at achieving a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries.
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