Tuesday, February 7, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Columns

‘Why are we here?’: Climate activists shunted to COP27 sidelines

AFPbyAFP
November 8, 2022, 12:00 am
in Columns, Opinion
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

“Last year, at the COP26 in Glasgow, tens of thousands of demonstrators from all over the world marched to demand ‘climate justice’”

By Bassem Aboualabass

Ugandan youth activist Nyombi Morris arrived in Egypt for the UN’s COP27 climate summit with high hopes of being part of the campaign for environmental justice.

But it didn’t take long for Egypt’s stiff security measures to shatter his dreams, as rights groups warn the North African country has stifled protests with “dozens” of arrests.

“I was so happy when they announced that COP would be in Africa,” said Morris, who founded the Earth Volunteers youth organization campaigning for “climate justice”.

“I thought maybe I would get a chance to be at the room where the negotiations are taking place.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Instead, “with the questions we received at the airport, it will not be easy for us to continue with our plan,” the 24-year-old said.

In 2008, when Morris was 10, devastating flash floods hit Uganda’s eastern Butaleja district — an area where the illegal extraction of riverbank sand for construction was common. Some 400 people, including Morris’s family, lost their homes.

Morris, who has said the digging “exacerbated flooding already made worse by climate change,” said they had to move to the capital Kampala.

“I am here to represent my mother who lost a farm, who lost a home,” he said. “I am here to ask for compensation for my community.”

‘Abusive security measures’

Activists wanting to demonstrate at COP27, held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, must request accreditation 36 hours in advance, providing information such as the names of the protest organizers and details of the proposed march.

Approved demonstrations are only allowed during working hours, and in a specific purpose-built area.

That accreditation process is risky, Morris fears.

“When they started asking about our locations, where we will be staying, our passports, our names, we were worried,” he said.

“What if they follow one of us and (we) get arrested?”

He cited the case of Indian climate activist Ajit Rajagopal, who was arrested after setting off to march from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh. He was later released after an international outcry.

Human Rights Watch on Sunday warned that “dozens of people” calling for protests had been detained.

“Egypt’s government has no intention of easing its abusive security measures and allowing for free speech and assembly,” the watchdog said.

Rights groups say at least 138 people have been arrested ahead of a rally slated for November 11 —planned nationwide but not in Sharm el-Sheikh —against what they decry as repression and sharp increases in the cost of living.

‘Watching online’

Africa is home to some of the countries least responsible for planet-heating emissions but hardest hit by an onslaught of weather extremes.

On top of security restrictions, Morris lamented that activists like him were excluded from the talks.

“I am watching online because our ‘observers’ badges don’t allow us to enter,” he said.

“I’m like ‘so, why are we here?’”

He said his hopes have faded that having the summit in Africa might make a difference—including in demanding wealthy nations responsible for emissions pay their dues.

“It is not an African COP, it is a polluters’ COP —because it is polluters dominating,” he said.

“Haven’t you seen Coca-Cola here?” he added, referring to one of this year’s official sponsors.

Campaign group Greenpeace has called Egypt’s choice of the soft drink giant “appalling,” blaming the company for much of the “plastic pollution in the world.”

Last year, at the COP26 in Glasgow, tens of thousands of demonstrators from all over the world marched to demand “climate justice.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is skipping COP27, slamming it as a forum for “greenwashing” and saying the “space for civil society

this year is extremely limited.”

On Sunday, ignoring the restrictions, a handful of activists waved banners at the entrance to the summit hall.

“We are trying to promote the veganism to help save the planet from the greenhouse gases.” said Tom Modgmah, a follower of Vietnamese “Supreme Master Ching Hai,” alongside colleagues waving banners.

“Be vegan, make peace,” they read.

Tags: AfricaCOP27 climate summitUgandaUNUnited Nations
ADVERTISEMENT
AFP

AFP

Related Posts

Nearby security challenge

byManila Standard
February 7, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
Nearby security challenge

Less than a week back, Pyongyang’s threat of “overwheling” nuclear force against Washington’s combined military exercises with rival Seoul was...

Read more

Will ICC probe stop Duterte & Bato accountability

byEmil Jurado
February 7, 2023, 12:10 am
0
8
Denying Villafuerte justice

"We, journalists, seek the truth and must be factual and balanced in reporting facts, always truthfully." Considering the Marcos administration...

Read more

A day of reckoning for Duterte et al.

byTony La Viña
February 7, 2023, 12:05 am
0
8
Denying Villafuerte justice

"The day of reckoning is coming for Duterte and others." On March 5, 2018, the Duterte government announced its withdrawal...

Read more

Restoring Pasig River

byMelandrew Velasco
February 7, 2023, 12:00 am
0
8
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"We too can show our love for our country by becoming good stewards of the country’s resources." First, the Tullahan...

Read more

Pro-poor programs

byManila Standard
February 6, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
Pro-poor programs

With the current administration focused on achieving single-digit poverty level by the end of its term of office in 2028,...

Read more

In a pickle

byLito Banayo
February 6, 2023, 12:10 am
0
8
A crisis president

"It was so interesting watching Sen. Chiz tear down the contortions of the economic managers and their factotums in a...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • DENR-EMB seeks zero waste goal
  • MMDA tests EDSA stop-go traffic scheme
  • UnionBank’s SRO
  • Cyberpark 3 project
  • Cignal best player
  • Yulo, Obiena, Filipinas lead PSA’s 2022 major awardees
  • Eala won’t play in 32nd SEA Games
  • Palarong Pambansa to reopen on July 29 with new format

Advertisement

Latest News

Yulo, Obiena, Filipinas lead PSA’s 2022 major awardees

byManila Standard Sports
February 7, 2023, 8:55 pm
0
8
Arcilla foils Seno, bags Naga Open tennis title

World Championship medalists Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena, along with history maker Philippine women’s football team will be the recipient...

Read more

Eala won’t play in 32nd SEA Games

byPeter Atencio
February 7, 2023, 8:50 pm
0
8
Spain legend Pau Gasol named Global Ambassador for FIBA World Cup

For now, playing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games is not part of the plans of Filipina tennis star Alex...

Read more

Palarong Pambansa to reopen on July 29 with new format

byManila Standard Sports
February 7, 2023, 8:45 pm
0
8

By Peter Atencio After getting shelved for almost three years, the Palarong Pambansa is coming back and will have a...

Read more

Remulla named Chef de Mission to Paris Olympics

byManila Standard Sports
February 7, 2023, 8:40 pm
0
8
National MILO Marathon returns March 26 at MOA concert grounds

The Philippine Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday the appointment of Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla as Team Philippines Chef de Mission...

Read more

PhilCycling revamps PH road team, coaching staff

byManila Standard Sports
February 7, 2023, 8:35 pm
0
8
PH Rugby Union elects new officers

The PhilCycling revamped the national team and coaching staff for road during its annual board meeting Tuesday at the Manila...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App