[Reader-list] Fisher people demand justice for climate refugees

[T Peter]

Press release
19-04-2008

Fisher people demand justice for climate refugees

South Indian fishing community conference on Climate change and Fisher
people's livelihood was held on 17th April 2008 at Rotary Community hall,
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district. This event was organized by Tamilnadu
Fisher workers Union (TFU), Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation
(KSMTF) and Voices from the Margins (VFM). Mr. T. Peter Dass, President,
Tamilnadu Fish workers Union (TFU) delivered welcome address and he
pointed out that fisher people are facing sea erosion as a result of
climate change. This public event is recognized as the first one organized
by the affected community against Climate Change and fisher people have
decided to launch public protest for their sufferings as a result of
climate change.

Mr.M.Pakkirisamy, district revenue officer inaugurated this workshop and
in his Chief Guest address said that sea level is rising in the last past
decade at an unimaginable rate of increase. Sea level is expected raise 5
meters in the next 50 years and it is going to affect the fisher people.
There is a need to change the consumption pattern to avoid the expansion
of the hole in ozone layer.

Mr. K.P. Sasi, activist film maker wondered what the government is doing
to stop the carbon emission? There is a need to change the production
process of the industries, agriculture and the energy systems. Nothing is
done so far to the people affected by climate change and marginalized
people who are becoming refugees as a result of ecological impacts thrust
upon them. Dr. A.D.Shobana Raj, ecological researcher highlighted the fact
that the coastal Kanyakumari district has 56 km long coast with a
population density of 1500 per sq.km; and the coast line is vanishing. 80%
of the water resources in the coastal area have become saline and people
are facing water crisis because of the intrusion of sea water. 132 coastal
sea weeds have disappeared in the last 10 years. If the global temperature
rises 2 degree Celsius then it will have impact on micro organisms leading
to several contagious diseases affecting coastal people.

Dr. S.P.Udayakumar social activist demanded that our energy consumption
pattern should change. The solution for climate change lies in shifting
our energy sector from fossil fuel dependent sector to renewable energy.
Our transportation pattern should move towards effective and efficient
public transport system rather than promoting cars which will lead to
increase in carbon emission and vehicular pollution. Mr. Sathya Sivaraman,
journalist & film maker stressed the need to pinpoint who emits more
carbon and who should pay for carbon credit. USA is responsible for 25% of
carbon emission and it should take the responsibility in compensation to
the victims of carbon emission and climate change. The relationship of
Human species to Earth should be the equivalent to child and mother, but
this species has taken up the role of the destroyer of the earth and other
species. Carbon emitting industries should be changed and if this is not
possible all such industries should be closed.

After the people's response, Mr. T.Peter president KSMTF demanded that
chemical farming practices, polluting industries and carbon emitting life
style should be stopped since the fisher people are the most affected by
the climate change. Today, this public event is organized with the
conviction that the affected communities can not remain in halls but there
is a need to launch mass public protest not just for their survival alone
but for the entire humanity locally, nationally and internationally.

In the concluding session Mr. S.M.Prithiviraj, Convener, Voices from the
Margins explained how the marginalized farmers of the Tamilnadu are
affected by climate change in recent heavy rains as a result unusual low
pressure in Arabian Sea. Fisher people are affected by changes in pattern
of fish catch, reduction in fish wealth, and loss of working days as a
result of climate change and tidal waves and their houses are washed away
by intruding sea in many places of South India.  Why should the fisher
people pay for the impacts of climate change entirely created by other
vested interests?

The conference ended with a resolution questioning the polluting
industries, chemical farming practices, non-renewable energy sectors,
carbon emitting life style and the need for taxing the polluters to pay
the price for ecologically affected fisher people and other marginalized
communities.

Press release issued by
Tamilnadu Fisher workers Union (TFU)Ph:09443294198
Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation (KSMTF)Ph:09447429243
and Voices from the Margins (VFM)Ph:09843080963