Philippines lead negotiator in Doha in tears as he appeals for real action on climate change

“I ask of all of us here, if not us, then who? If not now, then when? If not here, then where? “ —Naderev M. Saño

No 630 Posted by fw, December 8, 2012

“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” Naderev M. Saño, Doha Climate Conference, December 6, 2012

The lead negotiator for the Philippines at the Climate Conference in Doha, Naderev Saño, could not keep back the tears as he made a passionate appeal for real action on climate change.

This impassioned personal appeal was made in this morning’s closing plenary of the Kyoto Protocol by the Philippines lead negotiator. The Philippines has been devastated by Typhoon Bopha with the death toll now topping over 300 and another 400 listed as missing. After delivering his country’s final official KP intervention, Filipino lead negotiator Naderev M. Saño made the following plea to his peers:

“Finally, Madam Chair, I speak on behalf of 100 million Filipinos, a quarter of a million of whom are eking out a living working here in Qatar. And I am making an urgent appeal, not as a negotiator, not as a leader of my delegation, but as a Filipino. I appeal to the whole world, I appeal to leaders from all over the world, to open our eyes to the stark reality that we face. I appeal to ministers. The outcome of our work is not about what our political masters want. It is about what is demanded of us by 7 billion people. I appeal to all, please, no more delays, no more excuses. Please, let Doha be remembered as the place where we found the political will to turn things around. Please, let 2012 be remembered as the year the world found the courage to find the will to take responsibility for the future we want. I ask of all of us here, if not us, then who? If not now, then when? If not here, then where?”

His remarks were met with loud applause. [But no action].

SEE ALSO

• Governments produce blank pages in Doha for planet’s future; La Via Campesina farmers are cooling the planet, La Via Campesina Press Release — (Jakarta, 6 December 2012) – “As the climate negotiations come to a close, the industrialized countries insist on inaction for the next decade, finding even more ways to escape their historical responsibility, create more carbon markets including one on agriculture and to keep business as usual of burning the planet. While governments continue to prioritize the interests of industry and agribusiness peasant farmers continue producing to feed the world’s people and the planet.” (Click on linked title to read complete report).

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