October 17, 2017
Young activists seek climate change voice
A group of young Maori and Pasifika climate change activists is raising funds to get the first indigenous youth delegation from Aotearoa to a major United Nations conference in Germany next month.
Fiji is the host nation of 23rd Conference of the Parties in Bonn, and Te Ara Whatu sees it unique opportunity for young Pacific indigenous activists to networks with others from around the world.
Spokesperson Noah Te Rama Thomas Pene says indigenous peoples of the Pacific have a long history of colonisation under the European powers.
That brought with it pollution and abuse of land, water and air, colonial violence, and ongoing militarisation.
Indigenous populations the world over are also paying the price for carbon colonialism as they bear the brunt of climate change.
Mr Pene says tackling climate change means standing up to big money and fighting capitalism where it exploits land for resources.
It’s an opportunity to use indigenous practices and reclaim cultural approaches towards living within a sustainable environment.
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