World Social Forum on Migration

Climate change forces mostly women and poor farmers to leave homes

Alfredo Acedo

01/02/2011

Opinión

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Fifty million people are being forced into migration because of the climate crisis and its consequences; namely water contamination, soil erosion and poverty. Climate migrants have joined those migrating in search of food, and together they number 200 million. They are mostly women and poor farmers trying to keep their families alive while paying for the actions of the rich minority.

Ivo Poletto is a Brazilian philosopher and sociologist who has dedicated his life to popular education and social movements and is now focusing on the effects of global warming within the framework of the 4^th World Social Forum on Migration 2010 in Quito, Ecuador. He commented that a systemic crisis was under way, the ecological and environmental effects of which were spreading rapidly. “We live in very challenging times: the Earth is sending signals that it can no longer maintain the necessary balance for life,” Poletto declared.

Poletto, currently a coordinator for the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change, noted that in recent years, scientists have realized that this imbalance was and continues to be caused by humans. He stated that this realization is painful, but also a reason for hope. “In the end, it is only in this way that we will be able to take action that changes the course of events and make the necessary transformations, no matter how powerful the opposing forces may be,” he commented.

Poletto, who served for two years in the Lula administration under the Zero Hunger program, stated that those in power should grapple with the forces of the Earth and heed the cries of those affected by global warming. “Millions of people are forced to migrate because of the effects of the climate on their land, such as water contamination, soil erosion and drought. They are paying for the actions of humanity’s rich minority”.

Poletto affirmed that this migration situation, which chiefly concerns approximately 50 million women and poor farmers, is the worst crisis of its kind for humanity. He went further to say that it was essential that migrants be aware of the causes of global warming, so that together they could become an active force in advocating the urgent changes needed to save life on planet Earth. “These changes require responsible action by those consuming the planet’s resources on one hand and, on the other hand, by the greater part of the population which has fallen victim to the consequences of wasteful practices.”

Poletta highlighted that, according to in-depth research, the best-case scenario for the planet predicts a rise in temperature of 2 degrees Celsius between now and the end of the decade, accompanied by extreme climate phenomena. The Earth’s temperature could rise between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, which would raise sea-levels and cause major disturbances to the Earth’s balance, rendering the continuation of life almost impossible on the planet.

“Decisions have to be made now,” he concluded. “There is no time to waste.”

(Translated from the Spanish by Janelle Alexander)

Original Article published 10/10/2010

https://www.alainet.org/en/articulo/149650