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In My Name
Thursday, September 25, 2008 | 
Posted by
Oxfam Action Corps NYC |
Today, Oxfam Action Corps NYC members stood with Bono, Will.i.am, Kristin Davis, Mary Robinson, and others to ask the world leaders to end poverty in their names. See their videos here. One Oxfam Action Corps NYC member, Cathy Capobianco, described the experience: "I felt honored to be a part of a moment in time to say to the world, In My Name I will do all that I can to help end global poverty, and keep the "support" and pressure on our World Leaders. I do believe that if everyone did their part, we could see an end to this heartbreak. No child should go to bed hungry, nevermind die form malnutrition. How can we live with ourselves if we allow this to continue. I am committed to this cause with all my heart."
In September 2000, at the United Nations Millennium Summit, world leaders agreed to the Millennium Development Goals, a set of time-bound and measurable goals for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals is September 2015 -- we must act now if we want to achieve these goals by their deadline.
Climate Wrongs and Human Rights
The climate crisis is likely to cause widespread violation of rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to a new report released today by international humanitarian organization Oxfam.
Oxfam’s report, "Climate Wrongs and Human Rights", sets out a new vision for a rights-based approach to climate change policymaking and highlights where current climate change negotiations are far from delivering what’s needed. Oxfam is submitting the report to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is now reviewing the relationship between international human rights and climate change.
“People have an inherent right to a safe, secure, and healthy life, but this right is being threatened by the global climate crisis,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Carbon emissions from industrialized countries have human and environmental consequences. As a result, climate change is violating the basic human rights of millions of the world’s poorest people to life, security, food, health and shelter.”
The organization called on climate change policies at national and international levels to be based on existing human rights principles.
“National and international leaders must recognize and address the harm to people occurring today and that will continue as a result of climate change,” said Offenheiser. “The principles of human rights provide a strong foundation for policy making, as all states must respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and these principles must be put at the heart of a global deal to tackle global climate change.”
But current negotiations are currently off track to deliver the needed policies, according to Oxfam. The report asserts that adaptation financing for poor countries is being woefully under-resourced and that rich countries are failing to deliver sufficient finance and technology to help poor countries shift to low-carbon pathways and realize their right to development. Developed countries, led by the G8, are proposing merely to halve global emissions by 2050, when a cut of at least 80% in emissions by 2050 is necessary to prevent a catastrophic 2°C temperature increase that is likely to cause widespread violations of rights.
“If international negotiations do not deliver needed remedies for ongoing human rights violations caused by climate change, poor countries may be forced to explore other options, such as the possibility of litigation,” said Offenheiser. “Rich country polluters in developed countries have been aware of their liability for many years now. If they fail to cut emissions and help people now, they could face legal action later.”
The authors of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could never have imagined having to deal with such a complex global challenge as climate change, so human right laws and institutions must evolve fast to keep up, according to Oxfam. While lawyers should push to have international courts recognize future injury and joint liability for climate-change damage, existing human rights principles are clearly sufficient to guide rich countries’ policies to cut their emissions and finance adaptation.
“Urgently cutting emissions is the only way to respect and protect human rights from being violated by the impacts of climate change, and funding adaptation for the poorest people is the only remedy for those whose human rights have already been violated,” said Offenheiser.
Oxfam’s report, "Climate Wrongs and Human Rights", sets out a new vision for a rights-based approach to climate change policymaking and highlights where current climate change negotiations are far from delivering what’s needed. Oxfam is submitting the report to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is now reviewing the relationship between international human rights and climate change.
“People have an inherent right to a safe, secure, and healthy life, but this right is being threatened by the global climate crisis,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Carbon emissions from industrialized countries have human and environmental consequences. As a result, climate change is violating the basic human rights of millions of the world’s poorest people to life, security, food, health and shelter.”
The organization called on climate change policies at national and international levels to be based on existing human rights principles.
“National and international leaders must recognize and address the harm to people occurring today and that will continue as a result of climate change,” said Offenheiser. “The principles of human rights provide a strong foundation for policy making, as all states must respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and these principles must be put at the heart of a global deal to tackle global climate change.”
But current negotiations are currently off track to deliver the needed policies, according to Oxfam. The report asserts that adaptation financing for poor countries is being woefully under-resourced and that rich countries are failing to deliver sufficient finance and technology to help poor countries shift to low-carbon pathways and realize their right to development. Developed countries, led by the G8, are proposing merely to halve global emissions by 2050, when a cut of at least 80% in emissions by 2050 is necessary to prevent a catastrophic 2°C temperature increase that is likely to cause widespread violations of rights.
“If international negotiations do not deliver needed remedies for ongoing human rights violations caused by climate change, poor countries may be forced to explore other options, such as the possibility of litigation,” said Offenheiser. “Rich country polluters in developed countries have been aware of their liability for many years now. If they fail to cut emissions and help people now, they could face legal action later.”
The authors of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could never have imagined having to deal with such a complex global challenge as climate change, so human right laws and institutions must evolve fast to keep up, according to Oxfam. While lawyers should push to have international courts recognize future injury and joint liability for climate-change damage, existing human rights principles are clearly sufficient to guide rich countries’ policies to cut their emissions and finance adaptation.
“Urgently cutting emissions is the only way to respect and protect human rights from being violated by the impacts of climate change, and funding adaptation for the poorest people is the only remedy for those whose human rights have already been violated,” said Offenheiser.
Don't Miss Our Upcoming Meetings!!
Join Oxfam Action Corps NYC as we meet to discuss how we can make a big impact this election season. We will be discussing ways in which we can encourage those running for office to do something to protect those affected first and worst by climate change. We will also be planning our public screening of the Sisters on the Planet documentary, showing the effects of climate change on women all over the world and what they are doing about it, and could use your thoughts, ideas, and volunteer energy as we put together this big event. We will be meeting at the McNally Jackson Books, downstairs, 52 Prince Street (bn Lafayette & Mulberry) (http://mcnallyjackson.com) on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7pm. Mark your calendars for our next meeting on Wednesday, October 1st at 7pm at McNally Jackson Books.
The Northern Manhattan Climate Justice Coalition, a project of Oxfam Action Corps NYC, will be meeting the second Wednesday of every month, starting on Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 6:30, in Washington Heights at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) is Northern Manhattan's representative in the US Congress and is also the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which will help decide the fate of vulnerable communities around the world facing climate change. This means that folks who live or work in Northern Manhattan are in a strategic position to advocate for justice! To participate in this project or to find out more, call Isaac at 347-756-1856.
The Northern Manhattan Climate Justice Coalition, a project of Oxfam Action Corps NYC, will be meeting the second Wednesday of every month, starting on Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 6:30, in Washington Heights at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) is Northern Manhattan's representative in the US Congress and is also the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which will help decide the fate of vulnerable communities around the world facing climate change. This means that folks who live or work in Northern Manhattan are in a strategic position to advocate for justice! To participate in this project or to find out more, call Isaac at 347-756-1856.
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