BRUSSELS: 15:00, 6 December 2012
Young People from 12 European countries held a theatrical demonstration in Brussels to demand that Europe acknowledge its historic responsibility for causing the climate crisis and commit to equitable, ambitious and just reduction targets.
As the Philippines reels from shock of super typhoon Bopha, the EU is plays a key role in preventing delegates at the UN climate negotiations in Doha, Qatar from reaching an outcome that will protect the most vulnerable communities from the worst affects of the climate crisis.
With the death toll already standing at over 270, and 170,000 people displaced across the country, the Philippines delegate highlighted how “instead of getting ready for Christmas, we will be counting our dead.”
At the Brussels Christmas market, young people stood in solidarity with the Philippines and highlighted how Europe´s inaction is having a catastrophic impact around the globe.
The creative action used red ´climate impact´ dots to visualise how the impact of the EU´s emissions fall disproportionally on those developing countries which have the least responsibility for causing climate change.
Climate impacts include food insecurity, forced migration and extreme weather event such as the typhoon which has devastated the Philippines.
“Climate change is already having huge global impacts, with the burden falling hardest on those most vulunerable communities who did least to cause the crisis” said Saara Pullinen, spokesperson for the activists.
“Inaction will continue to cause devastation. The EU must live up to its historic responsibilities for causing the crisis and take strong action on climate change,” Saara concluded.
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CONTACT for further information and to arrange interviews
Nick Beall (in Brussels) Tel: +32 492694148
nick.beall@ukycc.org
High quality images available upon demand