Pavillion, KL
you’ve heard of climate change – have you heard of climate justice? so drastic are the impacts of climate change on our earth that it is no longer merely an issue for greenies, it’s an issue for everyone.
we’re already seeing the effects of climate change right before our eyes. we have seen the first climate refugees from Bangladesh fleeing to slums in Dhaka because 80% of their country is underwater. the Tuvalu and Kiribati Islands are sinking, and the Australian government has gone on record saying “we don’t want them.” the Gobi desert threatens China with desertification. millions of Africans, already suffering from under-development, will face the worst of these climate change threats. people can, and will die from the effects of climate change.
the worst of these changes will really hit 30 to 50 years later, perhaps sooner. the older generation – ie, the politicians in power – will be dead by that time. it is the poor, the powerless, the marginalised, the young, the ones who have done nothing to cause this, that will bear the brunt of it. it’s not about tree-hugging anymore, it’s about justice. we, the youth, have a right to climate justice.
this is our aim: to get Malaysian youth fired up about climate justice. Malaysia has the lowest levels of concern in Southeast Asia, and we stand to get into some – excuse my French – serious shit if we don’t start taking action now. if nothing is done, our peat swamps – important carbon sinks – will be auctioned off in November to developers. the Borneo rainforests are already pretty much gone (ergo, the Malaysian tourism ads are total lies). when Singapore starts facing some serious water shortages, guess who they’re going to start picking a fight with?
major environmental organisations, trade unions, scientists and religious groups joined forces to launch a massive global warming campaign aimed at convincing governments to forge a strong agreement at talks in Copenhagen in December. with 100 days until the United Nations-sponsored talks begin, activists are calling on people around the world to join the campaign.
we want you to join that campaign.
so, what can i do?
spread the word. the concept of climate justice is relatively new, so it’s absolutely vital to get people thinking.
..with chalk?
yes! it’s easy, it’s viral, it’s fun to scribble, it’s fun to look at. carry a piece (or several) of chalk with you – long pieces, they wear down quite quickly – and write your message on the pavement. if possible, take a photo and email it to my.chalk.talk@gmail.com, along with your name (or pseudonym), your location and your Chalk Talk location. get creative. write slogans, link to networks like Mycjn, back to Chalk Talk, or even to 350. chalk everywhere, especially crowded areas. link to websites so people have a reference point. or just get people thinking.
isn’t that vandalism?
yes. but it’s very easy to clean – have a big crowd walk over it, and it’ll never have been there.
okay, so what can i write?
anything that gets people thinking and caring about climate change.
What does climate justice mean to you? I’m chalking ’cause I’m choking – get the carbon out! 350.org Don’t want coins, just give me change. You’ll be a climate refugee soon. I’m hot and I’m cold – it’s not Katy Perry, it’s Climate Change. There’s no Planet B. Burn calories not oil. Give me climate justice. I object to NOT saving my planet. Wake up and smell the palm oil. Wake up and smell the oil rigs.
things like that. you could even doodle.
what else can i do?
glad you asked. talk to the Mycjn people. plant trees. pressure your local politicians for green policies. there is strength in numbers: there will be green policies once there is a demand for it. (as the months leading up to elections generally show) turn off the lights when you’re not using them. tell your friends about climate justice. keep chalking, and we’ll keep you updated.
disclaimer
we are not responsible if you get into trouble. chalk wisely! spread the word! you have a right to climate justice!
