A call for Davids

The chances of a deal being struck this year, at the climate summit in Cancun, Mexico, are “very, very low” because of the persisting differences between the west and the developing countries. “We may have a political statement in Cancun,” Jairam Ramesh said. “We may have a little more detailing of the Copenhagen accord. But are we going to get an international agreement? The answer is clearly no.”

The statement of Jairam Ramesh, Indian Environment & Forest Minister is clearly depressing with no sign of hope. With every passing day it is becoming clear that Cancun is also going to end up as a “tea party” with lot of tamasha.

Now one thing is going to be pretty clear that the symbolic activism promoted by civil society in the North which claims itself to be international has failed and failed on a large scale. Forming numbers, switching off lights, dancing in public places, commemorating days is not the way to ask for radical action. Something more need to be done. Blame will also go to our prominent “activists” based in India & developing south, who talk about Gandhi but leave his lifestyle for others to follow. Many from the same lobby have a lot to say about Marxism and plight of proletariat class but prefer to live in bourgeois houses. The carbon footprint of “Messiahs or Saviours” of planet earth is also very high & similar to that of an American from high income group.

The words of Sheikh Farid (Sufi Saint) “Farida Je Tun Akal Latif Hain/ Kaale Lekh Na Lekh/Apnane Gireban Mein/Sir Nevan Kar Dekh” are very much relevant for all the “environmentalists” & those who call themselves as “climate activists.” It is the high time to seek retrospection; bring the real voices out instead of taking old stinking hypocrites as leaders, if we want something worth while in Mexico.

The issue of Climate Change will be hard to digest in the coming future. As Mr. Dunu Roy (of Hazard Center) rightly points out that we the people from the urban middle class are the most vulnerable species on earth. Forget about “cute” polar bears or “mighty” Bengal tigers, now even our future is at stake. It is for us to now take rigorous course of action which calls for change and pressurize world leaders to do something. We have enough time, Mexico is faraway, lets brainstorm and figure out alternatives which includes the interests and well being of all those who are going to suffer with the worst of the climate emergency.

Cancun should not merely end up as conference of “parties,” but instead a call for all Davids to take on Goliaths!

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2. GM Crops – a Nightmarish Prospect
3. Harvesting Despair – Perspectives
4. Partners and Supporters
5. Selling India by the pound–The hidden story of Operation Green Hunt