Vembar Declaration on Climate Change

Vembar Declaration

on combating climate change

TNCT-NAA-SADED and Civil society groups

29th & 30th of  August, 2009

We the Citizens/ the People of world declare the following actions

1. We  will work towards raising awareness, promoting and sensitizing local communities on climate change (including Tribal issues);

2. Listen to the voices of local Peoples’ their aspirations and their dreams (fisher folk, farmers, tribals and other marginalized groups);

3. Strengthening the gramsabhas (local governance body) towards controlling resources and developing action plans for addressing climate change and strategies for engaging with local and international issues;

4. Strengthening democracy at local level through collective and participatory decision making;

5. Organizing  dialogues at different levels for new knowledge about climate change and other related issues;

6. Advocating and creating policies to force government adhere to alternative,  pro-people and pro-community policies.

7. Addressing the local issues with global perspective and strategies;

8. Promote local consumption and avoid transporting farm products to far of places;

9. Develop a consumption index for promoting reduction of emissions;

10. Reviving , Developing  and adopting eco and environment friendly  technologies;

11. Ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the People;

12. Sensitize and train the local Panchayat bodies [government], local communities on issues affecting Adivasis, fisher folk, unorganized labourers, farmers and  the policies affecting these communities;

13. Build the interface and networking between Peoples’ organizations, movements and local Panchayat bodies;

14. Empowering the grassroots organizations on issues of climate change;

15. Engaging media actively for advocacy campaigns at different levels;

16. Nurturing the Ecological values, community knowledge and practices among all including youth and children;

17. Making self commitment towards reducing our ecological footprint

Hereby, unanimously adopt and pledge to abide and implement this declaration, to ensure Justice, Equitable and sustainable life of the entire humanity and Mother Earth.

We also demand the international communities and governments to take concrete targeted measures towards combating global climate change.