THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO GLASGOW
THE world came to Glasgow on Saturday to protest against climate change. An estimated 100,000 people were on the streets for the COP26 Coalition climate justice march.
As well as tens of thousands of people from Glasgow, Scotland and the rest of the UK, there were people from around Europe and every continent highlighting the havoc that climate change is wrecking in their region.
The march took place a day after thousands took part in the Fridays for Future youth climate march.
The damage caused by the richest western nations in Europe, the USA and by China, leading to death and destruction in poorer, smaller less powerful nations was at the forefront of the march.
People had travelled thousands of miles, some to come to the COP26 at the SEC as well as the protest march, others purely for the march itself.
They marched from Kelvingrove Park and through the city centre to Glasgow Green for a rally.
There were groups representing people from dozens of countries including Sudan, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, India, Tibet and indigenous people in the Americas.
Many were speaking out against practices like deforestation and forcing people from their homelands for mining in areas that major companies are exploiting for their natural resources.
Regina Hansda, Alice Barwa, Ruby Hembrom, and Shubham Tigga came to Scotland from India for the protest.
They were highlighting the destruction of the Hasdeo Forest in central India and the clearance of indigenous people.
Regina said: “It is being destroyed for coal mining. The COP leaders say they are agreeing a deal to stop using coal, but this is happening now. We will not leave our lands.”
Jesus Vasquez came to the city from Puerto Rico.
He was here with Organizacion Boricua, an international collective highlighting the damage caused by the activities of western companies in poorer countries.
Jesus commented: “In the Global South we are vulnerable to climate change. We are experiencing rising sea levels, drought, and hurricanes.
“Hurricanes Irma and Maria left 3000 dead and we had no electricity for a year.
“If the global north, USA, Europe and China keep doing what they are doing it will get even worse for us.”
Silvia Holten of World Vision came from Berlin for COP26 and to join the march.
She said the leaders are trying to “cheat” and find ways not to act on their promises.
She said: “They have agreed on some issues but are always trying to cheat and step out somehow.
“In the two weeks of COP, 100,000 children will have died (around the world) because of the lack of a health service and the effects of climate change.”
Sylvia added: “I’ve been to previous COPs in Bonn and Paris. Previous promises have not been met. I do not trust them anymore.”
Ugyen Wangchuk is a Tibetan living in Sheffield, who had travelled to Glasgow.
He said: “There is a huge reserve of fresh water in Tibet. But there is a lot of mining that is causing damage and human rights are compromised.
“We are using COP26 to tell people what is going on in Tibet. It is a shame that China is not at COP26.”
Antonio Munoz Carazo travelled from Costa Rica with a 12-strong delegation to hear what is happening at COP26 and to join the protest in Glasgow.
He said: “We are here to learn about the negotiation process and understand the decisions that are being made. When we go back, we will get involved in discussions about the decisions.
“Climate change is mostly caused by developed countries but affecting developing countries. In Costa Rica we have had floods, storms and drought.
“Developing countries suffer the most and it is more difficult for them to recover. We want justice from the countries that are causing the problems and we are not receiving it.”
Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Marshall Islands climate envoy to the United Nations, spoke at the Rally in Glasgow Green.
She said: “We need the biggest emitters to be held responsible. We need financing to implement the solutions we are currently developing ourselves through our national adaptation plan. We contribute 0.00005% of the world’s global emissions – we did nothing to contribute to this crisis, and we should not have to pay the consequences.
“We need to keep up the pressure that COP26 doesn’t allow offsets or endanger human rights and the rights of indigenous people.”
We did nothing to add to this crisis, and we should not have to pay for the damage