PEOPLE POWER: Most Affected People and Areas #MAPA
by Muthoni Kariuki
The world is waking up and we (Humans) are finally coming to the realization that we are facing the Threat of Extinction. For decades now, we have and continue to destroy our only home, planet Earth. Oh! I hear they are checking out other planets that can support human life. Really! Really! So we can go over there and repeat the self-destruction process that we have oh so very well mastered! Ridiculous!
The climate and environmental crisis is hitting hard. Devastating news every day on the impacts of climate change. We have been forced to have this conversation. It’s not an easy one. Full of jargon and scientific terms and truths that most would rather find an excuse to avoid. But yes that’s exactly what it is…an excuse. We don’t need experts to explain to us what is happening. Just look around you, what do you see? Deforestation, Floods, Wildfires, Pollution, Injustices, Land degradation, Drought. Are you happy with what’s happening in your environment? Is there anything you’d like to see change? Is there something you can do to see that change? The answer is YES. It’s not as hard as you’d like to convince yourself. It starts with Awareness. Be aware of your surrounding and then make conscious daily decisions to make a positive difference in your community.
2021 – Has seen a lot of climate and environmental activities. You might have come across words and topics like COP26 and a rise in climate activism online. Let’s break down a few terms in relation to COP and the Climate for a better understanding and awareness:
COP – Conference of Parties.
PARTIES – Nations/Countries.
UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 21 March 1994. Aims at Preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system.
COP - the main decision-making body of the UNFCCC.
COP 26 – the 26th Conference of Parties.
197 – Nations/Parties agreed to the new Environmental pact, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) .
Global South – Identifies lower-income and often politically or culturally marginalized countries. Also referred to as “Third World” and “Periphery”. Broadly Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Global North – Refers to the socially well-developed countries, located in North America and Europe.
The terms do not describe a geographical south or north.
MAPA – Most Affected People and Areas.
I have become conversant and actively engaged in environmental and climate conversations and spaces. Researching and following closely recent happenings. COP is a great idea…great! But it is undeniable that we have a long way to go. Agreements and treaties signed on many many years ago are yet to be realized. So how do we expect change when we still haven’t fulfilled our earlier promises. It’s all like a Game. There has been too much talk and little action. So little that it’s almost No action. With climate, the countries that contribute the least to the crisis, suffer the most. Firstly, I can’t even start to imagine the amount of funding that goes into organizing a COP. Secondly, the Most Affected including the marginalized, vulnerable and indigenous communities are the Most Underrepresented at COP!
Let me share with you an image of how it all looks like in my head. So, I have this Big problem that I’m facing (and by Big I mean Life Threatening). The root cause is My neighbor’s long history of Injustices from colonization, discrimination, racism, exploitation, capitalism, social and climate injustices, marginalization etc.. trust me the list is Long. We decide to try to find a Solution to My problem but I’m Not included in most of the decision-making process. For example, we set up a meeting but the venue is so far away. This will need a lot of money and other logistics for facilitation. I don’t have the money, in fact, I’m facing extreme levels of Poverty that I’m struggling to afford a meal. So I miss out on this very important meeting that is supposed to be Mostly about Me. My neighbours who are the Root of My Problems get to attend the meeting and in large numbers (of course, they can afford it). They discuss My Problem and make important decisions about My Problem. I’m left Hoping against all Hopes that there’s a Solution to My problem for the sake of My survival. This is how COP looks like to me. I’m sorry if this doesn’t make sense to you because it doesn’t make sense to me too!
Profit Over People. Rich countries are the most represented at COP yet they suffer the least consequences. Rich countries emit the most greenhouse gases. They make fortunes out of it. They have promised to pay billions to poor countries suffering the effects of the climate change. THEY HAVEN’T! Cop 26 happened and there’s been a lot of expressions of disappointment with some calling it a flop. The new Glasgow climate pact introduces new policies and regulations but is it enough? Is it enough to protect the MAPA? Is it enough to compensate the Most Affected People and Areas for the injustices they have and continue to suffer? Is it enough to avoid a Climate Crisis? Was it all worth it?
In the above example…I am the Global South and My neighbours are the Global North (Refer to definitions in the beginning). I am one of the Most Affected People in the Most Affected Areas. My community, a marginalized region in the Eastern part of Kenya that relies on the rain for farming and for their livelihood has suffered harsh effects of climate change. Drought and Famine, Inadequate clean water for the people and the livestock, extreme levels of poverty, Economic, Social, Gender and Climate injustices. For a long time I knew there was a problem but I was not aware of it’s extent or how exactly to tackle it. Those in Power also did not seem to care about My people. It was Money over Meaning. Until I found My Purpose and My Voice. To lead by Serving. I now use my Voice and Platforms to create awareness and highlight the problems and climate injustices affecting my community. To advocate for Mother Earth. I plant trees, many trees, I join other environmental organizations in activities, I contact decision makers for inclusion in policy making processes, I bring together young people to help them be agents of change, I educate people in the village to stop deforestation and to practice social responsibility in their daily lives. I call out irresponsible leaders and exploitation of the marginalized and vulnerable. I strive to make a positive impact on society.
Remember when I said I’m only left to Hope that My neighbors find a Solution to My problem… well now I’m done Hoping. I DEMAND Action. I DEMAND Justice. The difference is that I’m Aware. Aware of what’s happening around me. People are awake. Tired of empty promises. Tired of the Lies. Tired of the green washing. Tired of watching silently from the shadows. Tired of being at Mercy. Tired of Hoping. Tired. Sick and Tired! Individuals, communities, nations, organizations, stakeholders, everyone. We are joining hands, finding our voices and raising awareness on problems affecting us. The climate strikes, the letters to leaders and the media, the calling out of decision makers to uproot the old systems, the maximizing of social media platforms and the commitment towards a larger cause for Humanity. It is working. Leaders are listening. They are noticing. They are getting uncomfortable. They are starting to take action. There’s a shift. The young people are applying pressure, DEMANDING ✔️Responsibility, ✔️Accountability, ✔️Inclusion,✔️ Equality, ✔️Equity, ✔️Action…Action Now! People Power!
We are Staring at Extinction…Unless We #Actnow and #ActFast
I appeal to you, don’t be left out. Inaction can Lead to Injustices. Don’t be part of the Pollution, Be part of the Solution. Be very aware of what’s happening around you. This conversation is not only for a select few. Find a Purpose, Stand up for it. In your own small way, make a difference. Be an agent of change. Your Voice matters and will make a difference. Don’t just Sit Down and Hope… It’s Time to Act Now! PEOPLE POWER!
As the words of Professor Wangari Maathai, ‘ It’s the little things that we do as citizens that will make a difference.’
Noni Kariuki💚
Kenya
https://noniworldwide.wordpress.com
About
Growing up in a rural marginalized community, I faced 1st hand the effects of climate change. Drought, Famine, High temperatures, Inadequate water and extreme levels of poverty. Economic, social, political and climate injustices. For a long time, i knew something had to be done, but it wasn't until I got actively engaged in environmental spaces that I got to understand the extent to which the crisis reached. I found my purpose. To lead by serving. I use my Voice and Platforms as an environmentalist, climate activist and a journalist to create awareness and highlight the injustices in my community, country and the world at large. I found My Power and I give back to Mother Earth in my own small way.