The article below is the call issued by Bolivian President Evo Morales for the People's World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights to be held in Cochabama, Bolivia, over April 19-22. A number of Australians are already planning to travel to Bolivia to attend. If you are interested in taking part in the Australian contingent, email weekly.greenleft@gmail.com. For more information on the conference, at which the Bolivian government expects as many as 10,000 people to attend, visit pwccc.wordpress.com or email info@cmpcc.org
* * *
Considering that climate change represents a real threat to the existence of humanity, of living beings and our Mother Earth as we know it today; noting the serious danger that exists to islands, coastal areas, glaciers in the Himalayas, the Andes and mountains of the world, poles of the Earth, warm regions like Africa, water sources, populations affected by increasing natural disasters, plants and animals, and ecosystems in general;
Making clear that those most affected by climate change will be the poorest in the world who will see their homes and their sources of survival destroyed, and who will be forced to migrate and seek refuge;
Confirming that 75% of historical emissions of greenhouse gases originated in the countries of the North that followed a path of irrational industrialisation;
Noting that climate change is a product of the capitalist system;
Regretting the failure of the Copenhagen Conference caused by countries called "developed", that fail to recognise the climate debt they have with developing countries, future generations and Mother Earth;
Affirming that in order to ensure the full fulfillment of human rights in the 21st century, it is necessary to recognise and respect Mother Earth's rights;
Reaffirming the need to fight for climate justice;
Recognising the need to take urgent actions to avoid further damage and suffering to humanity, Mother Earth and to restore harmony with nature;
Confident that the peoples of the world, guided by the principles of solidarity, justice and respect for life, will be able to save humanity and Mother Earth, and celebrating the International Day of Mother Earth,
The government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia calls on the peoples of the world, social movements and Mother Earth's defenders, and invites scientists, academics, lawyers and governments that want to work with their citizens to the Peoples' World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights to be held from 20th to 22nd April 2010 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The Peoples' World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights has as objectives:
• To analyse the structural and systemic causes that drive climate change and to propose radical measures to ensure the wellbeing of all humanity in harmony with nature.
• To discuss and agree on the project of a Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights.
• To agree on proposals for new commitments to the Kyoto Protocol and projects for a COP Decision under the United Nations Framework for Climate Change that will guide future actions in those countries that are engaged with life during climate change negotiations and in all United Nations scenarios, related to issues including: Climate debt; climate change migrants-refugees; emission reductions; adaptation; technology transfer; finance; forest and climate change; shared vision; and indigenous peoples.
• To work on the organisation of the peoples' world referendum on climate change.
• To analyse and develop an action plan to advance the establishment of a Climate Justice Tribunal.
• To define strategies for action and mobilisation to defend life from climate change and to defend Mother Earth's rights.