Tungshang Ningreichon
The wind mocked me as I swept; Dried leaves and weak twigs Papers and wrappers It gently blew on my face with the chill and bite of a frosty December morning It said ‘why do you resist and fight against what you cannot stop’ I started to think ‘You seem to think and talk a lot, On how to save and conserve How to lessen the burden Of the guilt and crime Of your wealth and greed That does not know wisdom and justice’ I paused. ‘You call it climate change But remember! We have not changed ever since we took form We gave all that we had We are still the same It is you who changed hearts And stopped thinking Of your children and posterity You took what you could More than what you need And applied your maths and profit We carried the load and bore the brunt Now you turn to us and say We must protect!’ We nod! ‘Your finest engines, your smartest techniques and your negotiations will have little impact. Change your heart the seasons will be kinder then the sun warmer it will cease to tan and burn The cold will be milder and memorable Yes the climate will change with your heart’ I smiled Hope smiled too My grandfather spat! And said what a weather It has never been this cold. He spat again.
Of COP21 and indigenous peoples and rights
Climate change; an outcome of human actions that affects everyone has turned states into negotiators. The narratives of COP 21 did not embrace human rights, especially the rights and voice of the indigenous peoples whose ways of life have aided in reducing the impact of climate change.
The Indigenous peoples protect their land, forests and territories; resist and fight destructive development activities and are key in controlling climate change impacts yet they continue to remain marginalized. Climate conferences will not be meaningful till the indigenous peoples are taken on board.
