Tag Archives: Yeb Sano

From Commissioner to Spiritual Ambassador : Yeb Saño’s Story

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Climate Change, Features

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

yes2

(Image courtesy google images)

Yeb Saño, one of the key negotiators on climate change recently decided to step down from his position as the Commissioner at the Climate Change Commission in the Philippines  and to work with different faith groups across the world, as part of the larger global climate movement ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Paris at the end of 2015. He explained his choice to join the movement, his new work, and the reasons for the need for political will and immediate climate actions to protect the vulnerable groups, as well as the planet.

 Commissioner Turned Spiritual Ambassador

Saño’s new work is with OurVoices as Leader of The People’s Pilgrimage. OurVoices is the global, multi-faith climate campaign created in recognition of the moral urgency of the climate crisis and is a movement that emerged from among people of diverse spirituality and faith from around the world, united by the concern to address the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities and the planet.

“We are exceptionally inspired and enthused that the inter-faith and religious communities, together with many civil society organizations, have fervently embraced this call for climate action and climate justice,” said Saño.

yeb

 Rome to Paris

Saño’s new work will start with crossing San Juanico bridge as a symbolic departure from Tacloban in the  Philippines and heading to Vanuatu,  a country recently devastated by Cyclone Pam. The Pilgrimage will include Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Great Barrier Reef, India, Rome, Africa, and the Americas, amongst others and Saño will not be alone in his travel.

“Throughout my journey, I will be accompanied by religious leaders, faith communities, civil society groups and individuals. Together, we will pay homage to global hotspots that are at risk from climate change, but that in equal measure celebrate compelling examples of climate leadership, solutions and climate resilience,” he explained.

The People’s Pilgrimage will culminate in a 1,500 kilometer, 60-day walk from Rome to Paris to arrive in time for the UN Climate Change Summit.

 Political Will for a Better Future

“The climate crisis is upon us. Already, millions of people have lost lives, homes and their livelihoods as a result of climate change. Yet the actions and commitments of political and industry leaders from around the world remain profoundly inadequate and fail to secure a safe and just future for all,” said  Saño highlighting the immediate need to address climate change.

He also stressed on the need to confront problems as a human family effectively and pursue the future the global community needs for a better world. This vision inludes among others eradicating poverty, building resilient and sustainable communities, protecting the Earth, promoting honor and integrity, and fostering a culture of caring. “The fight against climate change is part of a larger struggle for a more just, equitable, caring, and mindful world. As such, greed, apathy, and arrogance have no place in our pursuit of this bright future,” explained Saño.

“The People’s Climate March is the Real Story” – Yeb Sano

19 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by in Climate Change

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Yesterday I was speaking to Yeb Sano, the Commissioner for Climate Change in Philippines and the Chief negotiator for his country at the UNFCCC negotiations, on his work on Save the Arctic campaign. In my not too registered humour by many, I say, “I hope your crusade for climate change is going well!” to which he responds “It is not MY crusade, it is OUR crusade!”

His response was timely as it was at the dawn of the United General’s Summit on Climate Change which will take place in New York, September  23, at the UN Headquarters.

The Climate Summit aka The Leaders’ Climate Summit

The Summit known as the Ban Ki Moon Summit, The Climate Summit, as well as Leaders’ Climate Summit, is organised with a focus on climate change, and its themes on finance, cities, farming and energy. The United Nations (UN) has published a list of 125 countries which will be represented by their heads of state and government or deputies at the global Climate Summit in New York on September 23.

Half of the Summit’s time is set to be taken up by the Heads of State speeches. Among those confirmed Heads of States attending the event is attend is President Rajapaksa, who will be speaking at the 2nd plenary of the Summit, at the Trusteeship Council Chamber. According to a scenario document issued by UN Secretary General’s office provides that there will simultaneous announcements from around 200 delegates as the Summit, in three separate rooms from 1015-1315 on 23rd of September. Most leaders of the South Asian region, including Nepal, Bangladesh are expected to attend, while the Prime Minister of India, N. S Mod has not confirmed his attendance at the same.

Summit at the Deadline for a Climate Agreement

Speaking on the Climate Summit, Sano says, “The New York Climate Summit’s intention to bring together world leaders comes at a very crucial time as we approach the 2015 deadline for the world to craft a new climate agreement aimed at ensuring that we prevent more dangerous climate change.  This meeting has great potential to build the momentum for governments around the world to come forward with ambitious, concrete, and urgent actions to avert the climate crisis.”

In spite of all the criticism addressed at those leaders who have not yet confirmed their presence, which according to many mark a lack of commitment towards addressing climate change, Sano remains optimistic though holding doubts as to whether the meeting will translate into concrete steps.

“I remain optimistic that leaders attending the Summit would step up to the plate and match political will with what has become a very clear scientific and moral imperative. What is unprecedented for this meeting is that world leaders are now thinking about climate change in the global context and the summit being held in conjunction with the UN General Assembly is a positive sign that political will is being mobilized to confront climate change. As to whether the meeting will translate into concrete steps, that remains to be seen,” he said,

Sano stressed on the need for clear and concrete plans, including those for a low-carbon global economy, renewable energy targets, and climate finance commitments that would pave the way for a global transformation that promotes sustainable development, addresses poverty, and build resilient communities around the world.

 

10155840_10202776956078359_123287552358931383_n

 

The People’s Climate March

Parallel to the Summit, there are also the People’s Climate Marches that are organised around the world, including in South Asia. This weekend unprecedented numbers of citizens are expected to take part in a global protest mirrored in cities around the world to call on governments for accelerated climate action, as heads of state arrive in New York for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s historic Climate Summit.

This international mobilisation demonstrates the growing momentum of the increasingly diverse movement pushing for an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change with good jobs, clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.

march

Speaking on people’s mobilisation on climate change, and the Climate Marches Sano says, “The People’s Climate March is the real story in New York, because it is about people. The People’s Climate March is an important moment that will change the course of history. It is not just a moment – it is a movement.”

Today (September 19) Sano participated in the Climate March in Manila, before rains fell in the city, creating floods. A sign of nature, highlighting the dire need to address the cause of climate change, which impacts us all. A time to address the need for a binding Agreement on climate change.

Sano’s twitter message, while stranded in Manila reads, “Even though we are in neck-deep floods here in Manila, we still stand in solidarity with #PeoplesClimateMarch in New York. #MomentMovement”