SHROCHIS KARKI

photo source: www.myrepublica.comDespite the sustained political stalemate that has exacerbated over the last year, the Bhattarai government has planted some visible marker
s of “progress.” The road expansion drive in Kathmandu is touted as the cornerstone of this “development.”

It is ironic that the Maoist government’s greatest achievement has been to widen the roads in Kathmandu. They fought a long war under the rubric of rural marginalization but once their path to the city was paved with blood money, they have forgotten their base entirely.

Far too many Nepalis live in terrible circumstances, with little access to education, healthcare, and markets for the state to continue to pour scarce resources to please the capital alone.

Then again, it has become unofficial state policy to outsource rural development to NGOs while the political heavyweights blast their sirens to countless pointless meetings across the capital.

CCJN/RRN Interaction on Climate NegotiationAn interaction programme was organised in Kathmandu, relating to Global Week of Actions today (21 Nov 2012). The programme was participated by diverse groups of Nepalese CS and government representatives including the Minister of Environment (UNFCCC Focal point), human rights activists, journalists and trade union leaders.

The main points raised/discussed during the interaction are as follows:

• No debt creating financing for addressing problems due to climate change. The aid must be grant, it should be new, additional and adequate for reparations. 
• Nepalese hills and mountains (including Himalayan range and the snow cover) are most affected by the consequences of climate change, so the problems should be addressed in priority. It would not only affect people living in Nepal but the whole of South Asia.

Global campaign to demand Climate JusticeThe international climate negotiation is not the only arena of our struggles for climate justice.  But it is a critical one which now more than ever requires much stronger concerted efforts  --  to counter moves by powerful governments, international institutions and global corporations that will bring more harm to people and planet, and to fight for global measures that will stave off catastrophic climate change and enable people to deal with present and future impacts.

To pave the way for more powerful collective campaigning - several organizations worked together on a call for a  "Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice" that is directed at all governments and the international climate talks and effectively combines "inside" and "outside" actions.

The call serves as an appeal and invitation to work together in advancing the demands outlined.  These demands are expressed only in general terms in the Call but certainly should be expanded and substantiated based on unities already reached by climate justice movements and updated to address current developments. We urge you to join the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice and sign on to the call as an expression of your commitment!

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