Comments on: The Inextricable Link between Climate Change and Human Rights

By: Project TOTO · TOTO Challenge #1 – The Winner!

Project TOTO · TOTO Challenge #1 – The Winner! — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:29:32 +0000

[...] no particular order, the first runner up is Emily French for her The Inextricable Link between Climate Change and Human Rights post. Emily clearly put a lot of research and thought into her post and the result is a [...]

By: Mehreen

Mehreen — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:17:48 +0000

This was a really wonderful read. You have cut through the politics, the misinformation and the confusion surrounding what climate change means for the world and provided the clearest explanation of the situation that I have ever read. You have been given a wonderful opportunity here to open people’s eyes about issues facing impoverished communities and provide the vulnerable with a voice. I cannot think of anyone better suited to the job and your fantastic blog has only strengthened my conviction. Passionate, articulate, worldly, genuine – you have to be everything that ActionAid is looking for, Emily!

By: Candice

Candice — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:22:29 +0000

This is a really fantastic blog and has definitely made me reconsider my attitude to climate change. Despite the fact that we are constantly bombarded with the issue in the media, I think up until now I failed to appreciate exactly why working to combat climate change was so important. Emily, you have perfectly illustrated your argument by calling upon relevant statistics and case studies but without ever rendering your blog dry or dreary. You held my attention throughout, instantly making the inextricable link between climate change and human rights, demonstrating how politicians have all too often failed to supplement their words with deeds and reflecting starkly on what climate change means for the developing world. Your final paragraphs give us a sense of accountability and responsibility to instigate positive change without ever preaching or ostracising the reader. Brilliant work. I hope you get the recognition you deserve.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:58:41 +0000

Dear Emily, your article presents sobering news for us living in the comfort and excess of the First World. It has become blatantly clear that where richer nations have enjoyed the benefits of industrialisation over the last century despite errant disregard for the environment, the poorer nations have had to bear the consequences of climate change. In order that change can be effected, efforts to stop this vicious cycle can no longer rest on the strained voices of independent organisations like Greenpeace. Unless governments of rich nations like Australia are willing to lend their collective authority and make a ‘sacrifice’ in exchange for the inequity that poorer nations have had to endure, our children will pay for our indifference.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:24:58 +0000

Emily – your blog astutely highlights the need for politicians to fulfil their promises. It seems that with Obama’s decision to allow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon emissions with having to pass legislation through the senate, politicians may be stepping up to the plate and doing just that! This instance reflects perfectly how pressure on the right people can get results, and how important it is – as you so clearly said – that we all continue to pressure Kevin Rudd into making a commitment to lowering Australia’s carbon emissions. How fantastic that Obama’s decision coincides with these ActionAid blogs. Exciting news for us all!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:09:29 +0000

This article has a perfect blend of thought-provoking information set against a contextual backdrop of world issues and politics. It helps cut through the volume of unreliable media hysteria and the lackadaisical more interested in their petrol tank to provide clear concise information relevant to the individual and the collective. It is easy to forget the victims ahead with climate change and I enjoy how your article keeps them at the forefront throughout. Another issue that is raised cleverly is the fact that politics presents an inextricable barrier between discussion and action and it is the responsibility of the voters to demand this issue be both brought to the table and resolved.

I look forward to the opportunity to follow your blogs in the future and hope that your use of graceful logic has so adeptly informed others as it has myself.

By: Jemi

Jemi — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:24:34 +0000

Hi Emily
Thanks so much for such a wonderfully enlightening blog. You manage to write intellectually and yet in a way that is still completely accessible to readers. I have to say I had never considered climate change in this light before – the impact that it will have in the developing world is shockingly ignored and I am truly glad gifted writers such as yourself are committing their time and energy to raising awareness. As you observed, it is not that privileged Westerners actively believe that vulnerable individuals should suffer for their actions – the problem is a lack of understanding of what their choices mean for the developing world.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to become the next ActionAid blogger! I truly believe that with your talent and your passion for the cause you have the potential to genuinely assist those in need.
Good luck!

By: Thadsagini

Thadsagini — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:01:31 +0000

Emily, this is stunning work! You’ve linked the issues of climate change and human rights in a way that is intelligent and thoroughly comprehensive. You have the gift of being able to effortlessly communicate with your readers and open their minds to consider issues facing them in the world today. You present facts and case studies concerning the matter while never losing sight of the people at the heart of the crisis. Thank you for helping your readers to understand why combating climate change is so incredibly important. I think we can all agree that, if the situation continues to go unchecked, the suffering the world will witness will be just awful. But as you say, it is not a foregone conclusion – we can still act to make positive change happen!

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:22:00 +0000

Milady,

It’s good to see you giving a voice to the hundreds of millions who will face the brunt of a changing climate induced by the wealthy nations. The Australian mainstream media occasionally highlights the plight of Pacific islanders, but there is little coverage of the poorest countries in Africa and Asia that face truly catastrophic futures if something is not done. This is, I think, one of the simple facts that climate change boils down to: if we don’t do something soon, millions of people will be dead. It’s easy to forget that amidst the politics and statistics, and your article is a timely reminder to everyone.

Also, given how contentious a topic climate change can be, you should be more specific in your sources. You don’t want to see how the slavering hordes of internet trolls will feast on your ‘studies estimate’ sentences.

Keep fighting the good fights Emily. It makes me more hopeful when I reflect that there are people like you putting so much energy and talent into trying to bring about change.

By: Ally

Ally — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:44:30 +0000

So true. What you have written reinforces the tragic fact that the people at the top of the pile are doing so very much less than is required to help the ones at the bottom who will be hit the hardest by the former’s inconsiderate and arrogant conduct. But of course, the rich countries who have exacerbated climate change the most are the countries best equipped to slow down and even reverse the effects of climate change, so well-presented blogs such as yours are crucial. Getting this information out there and writing authoritatively and logically will hopefully convince those that most need convincing, or at the very least it inspires other like-minded individuals to go and do what they can for these people at grassroots level.