COP27: Climate Crisis/Grassroots Power!

The dire impact of the climate crisis is there for all to see and can make us feel powerless. Yet in the past year, there has been significant progress in pressurising States to take action, proving that if we work together, we can make a difference. For example, momentum is building for global treaty to phase out fossil fuels.

With COP27 taking place in Sham el-Sheikh on 6-18 November the world will once more be focussed on the climate crisis. Fighting for attention will be important questions, such as justice for those most impacted and the role of community-led solutions.

In the build-up to COP27 Amnesty International is organising a panel discussion Climate Crisis / Grassroots Power! bringing together community activists from across the Asia-Pacific to address these questions and discuss how their communities are countering the impact of climate change; the role of education and art in tackling the crisis; and the legal fight for the damage many are already experiencing.

Following the panel discussion will be an after-panel conversation for those interested in engaging with the panellists and other participants on responding to the climate crisis and forms of activism. See registration details below.

COP 27: COP is an annual UN climate conference where states take important decisions on how to tackle the climate crisis and presents a good opportunity for environmental activists and organisations to pressurise governments to tackle the climate crisis.

Speakers:

Maria Jaya Ariola (Amnesty International Youth Leader, Philippines)

Derek Cabe (Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement, Philippines)

Vishal Prasad (PISCC, Fiji)

Hanae Takahashi (Climate Live, Japan)

Moderator:

Adelaide Xerri (Amnesty International Youth Leader, Australia)

Joining the event:

You can watch the panel discussion live on either the Facebook Event page or Zoom.

To watch on Facebook follow this link to the FB Event page: XX

To watch on Zoom you will need to register. This is recommended for those who wish to take part in the after-panel conversation as it will not be livestreamed to the Facebook Event page and spaces are limited to 100 participants. You can register for the Zoom event via this link:

Speakers:

Maria Jaya Ariola (Amnesty International Youth Leader, Philippines);

Maria is a climate justice activist and community organiser based in Bacolod, Philippines. She is a member staff on the Human Rights Education Program at Amnesty International Philippines and one of the project leaders protecting vulnerable communities affected by the climate crisis. Maria has been involved in numerous campaigns to counter environmental destruction, including against coal fired powerplants, plastic pollution and forest exploitation.

Derek Cabe (Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement, Philippines)

Derek Cabe is a coordinator for the Coal-Free Bataan Movement. She is a community organizer and is currently working with the residents of Bataan in the campaign to hold San Miguel Corporation accountable for the violations of its coal plants. She is also one of the petitioners in the landmark case that launched the national inquiry of the Commission of Human Rights that declared climate change as a human rights issue in the Philippines.

Vishal Prasad (PISFCC, Fiji)

Vishal is a campaigner with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). He campaigns for an advisory opinion on climate change and human rights from the International Court of Justice that seeks clarification on state obligations. He graduated from the University of the South Pacific and is now based in New York.

Hanae Takahashi (Climate Live, Japan)

Hanae is co-representative of Climate Live Japan. She is a writer, photographer, and organizer. She has contributed for The Japan Times and has worked with BBC.

Moderator:

Aderlaide Xerri

Adelaide is currently the Co-President of Amnesty International for South Australia/Northern Territory. Her professional background in is event and project management, whilst continuing her studies for a Bachelor of Arts in Humanitarian Aid and Development. Adelaide joined Amnesty International in 2019 and has served as the Australian Amnesty Global Assembly Youth Delegate and currently serves on the International Issues Committee. Her issue of focus is the Climate Change and Justice sector and has just organised and facilitated an international training workshop on Climate Change and Health for all Amnesty supporters.