r be m ce De 09 20
CLIMATE CHANGE Sing for change! 10 facts on China One Person in China: Xiao Xin Obama, China and Copenhagen - Yes, We Can? Climate Change, Poverty and the Body Bangladesh, Music and Gardens www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange
• We need your Voice Send your voice to the UN. On 7 December, we go to Copenhagen for the UN conference on climate change. Sign your name on www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange and join the Complaints Choir to sing out your concerns.
• 1O Facts on China On a person by person basis, China can be seen as a leader against climate change.
• ONE PERSON in China University student Xiao Xin will go to Copenhagen as an Oxfam campaigner.
• Obama, China, Developing Countries and Copenhagen What is Obama doing against climate change, what is China doing, and what are developing countries doing?
• Climate Change, Poverty and the Body
An Oxfam report on how climate change is impoverishing the body – our food to eat, water to drink, the diseases we have, where we live, and more.
• Bangladesh, Music and Gardens Lead singer from the band Beyond, Paul Wong, visited
Bangladesh (and took the cover photo above). With all the floods there, farmers are now planting on top of water in carefully constructed floating gardens.
COVER PHOTO: People in northeast Bangladesh are at great risk in the climate crisis / Photo: Paul Wong, Oxfam Ambassador and campaigner against climate change
HAVE YOU SUNG TODAY? Please sing. Please speak out. We want your voice.
We will bring these voices to Copenhagen on Tuesday, 7 December, when a crucial United Nations climate change meeting begins. Please register your name, your voice, here: http://www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange/ On 29 November, we sang out about climate change in one of Hong Kong’s busiest streets, and on 2 December, we sang again, at Legislative Council, the building where law is made in Hong Kong. Two lines of the song: Rich: Hang Seng Index's rising, oh yeah, we’re number one Poor: Temperature's rising, we now live in a slum For the full version of the song – in Cantonese – please go to the Chinese version of O.N.E.
All of this has been possible through the power of song. Oxfam has
November and December is dedicated solely to climate change.
been singing with the COMPLAINTS
Oxfam Hong Kong is dedicated
CHOIR, which began on a winter’s
to the fight against climate change.
day in Finland. People were taking a
Around the world, we support farmers,
walk, talking about this or that, saying
fishers and other poor people to assist
how things could be better. In Finnish,
them in adapting to the climate
a group of people complaining is
hazards; we advocate for better local,
called ‘valituskuoro’ which translates
national, regional and global policy;
as ‘a choir of complainers’. Tellervo
and we helped initiate the Harbin
Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen
Alliance, a global network of disaster
decided to take the expression literally
management organisations, as well as
and make a choir. There are now
the Combat Climate Change Coalition,
about 25 Complaint Choirs around
a net work of Hong Kong - based
the world.
groups. We call on our government
In Hong Kong, the first Complaints
to adopt a holistic climate policy;
Choir action was led by 25-year-old
to support adaptation projects in
Vangi Fong on 1 July 2009, a day
poor countries ; and to make an
when residents takes to the streets
unequivocal target for greenhouse gas
for a variety of causes. The song for
emission cuts.
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong: Stanley So of Oxfam Hong Kong holds the megaphone to amplify the song against poverty by the Complaints Choir / Photo: Sam Wong
Join the campaign: www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange Complaints Choir in Hong Kong: http://hkcomplaintschoir.blogspot.com/ Complaints Choir, worldwide: www.complaintschoir.org/
O.N.E December 2009
This year on 15 Oc tober, my
The first time I heard about the
a memory. The villagers told us, “In
Qin family who, like everyone else
birthday, I received a special gift. I was
I DO campaign was in July 2009, at a
the 1970s and 80s, water would easily
in the village, has a small water tank
selected as the ‘I DO’ envoy for Oxfam
national conference at which Oxfam
come, just by digging a shallow hole in
right in their courtyard. Grandpa Qin
Hong Kong and would be heading
Hong Kong climate change campaigner
the ground – nowadays, we can hardly
said, “Three years ago, Oxfam made
to Copenhagen to speak out against
Li Ning hosted a workshop. I was
find any water even if we dig down 10
a deep well in our village, and ever
climate change. I DO is the name of the
especially moved by a photograph
metres for a well.”
since then, we have had water so
campaign, and I certainly do want to
he had taken of a one-year-old child
In the mountains, we met a sick,
easily, and directly to our house. I
end climate change.
sitting in the fields, not playing, but
93-year-old farmer who was picking
no longer have to carry water all the
learning how to transplant rice.
beans. She told us that all of her
way from the faraway mountains.
As a postgraduate student, my research has been on eco-socialism:
I know that Oxfam works with
children were living and working out
Life is so much better now. My family
for over four years, I have been
people who are struggling in their
of the village to make a living, leaving
is raising five cows and seven sheep,
researching climate change. Last
lives, such as poor people who are
her alone at home, “I have to work as
and we were able to rebuild our house
summer, I wanted to see what carbon
affected by climate change, including
long as I’m alive,” she sighed.
last year.”
emissions data and what the various
the impoverished family of the infant.
The villagers did not have access
In another village, Huaxianzi,
production and consumption theories
Something inside me pushed me to
to exact information on the rising
smiling children told us, “We’re about
looked like in real life, so I went to
find him after the workshop and say,
temperatures and statistics on carbon
to move to the new classrooms which
Jakarta to do a two-month internship.
"I want to join Oxfam!"
emissions, but they know that the
are made of brick, and the teacher told us it’ll be warm and bright.”
The reason why I chose Indonesia
I applied to be the envoy, and two
climate is changing. They pointed to
was that the United Nations Climate
months after that workshop, I was
the yellowed crops withered on the
In one Gansu village after another,
Change Conference had just taken
lucky to be selected. I joined Oxfam
ground, saying, “Recently, there is
I saw that while life is not perfect,
place there, in Bali.
to visit project sites in the northwest
more and more drought, and our corn
people are making good positive,
Now, in just a few days, I can
province of Gansu, one of China’s
and wheat can hardly grow all the
changes – they are making a safer,
actually participate in the next UN
poorest areas hit by climate change.
way to harvest. What’s worse, there
better future, with more protection
conference – usually called COP15 – a
We talked with farmers and went
was a sudden hailstorm in July, when
against climate poverty. I believe,
major conference in the negotiations
into their homes and their fields,
the whole crop was smashed to the
and could see with my very own eyes,
towards better international policy.
directly experiencing what ‘climate
ground. That means there will be no
that these positive things can happen
Being the I DO envoy and going to
poverty’ is.
income this year.”
through some practical community
this Copenhagen meeting all feels a
We v i s i t e d a v ill a g e n a m e d
Yet, even though life is such a
bit like a fairy tale, a kingdom where
Xiangquan which means ‘nice spring’
struggle every day, people are not
my dream of fighting against climate
because of its abundant underground
giving up.
change can come true.
water. It turns out the name is part of
In Houlianwan, we visited the
China and Copenhagen:
Poverty and Fairytales By Xiao Xin
projects and through education about climate change. That’s what I want to share with the whole world in Copenhagen.
Xiao Xin, 24, is a graduate student at Nankai University and lives in Tianjin. As a campaigner against climate change as the Oxfam Hong Kong I DO envoy, she has spoken at schools, met with the media, and will soon be in Copenhagen for the UN conference. For more information: Oxfam Hong Kong’s I DO campaign in Mainland China: <http://www.oxfam.org.cn/ ido/> (in Chinese) Xiao Xin’s I DO blog against change: <selenexiao.blog.sohu.com> (in Chinese)
O.N.E December 2009
on China The environmental impact of China is significant, with its large population, large reserves of coal, a fast-growing economy, and not being bound to international greenhouse gas emissions targets. Yet, when determining which countries are responsible for climate change, Oxfam sees it as important to see the facts expressed on a per-capita and cumulative basis.
1 A small proportion of
3 Low emissions in transport
6 Less capacity to respond to
9 Energy efficiency
cumulative emissions
The average person in USA
climate crisis
China has reduced the energy
Over the past century, the 23
takes 18 times as many
In China, 35 per cent of the
intensity of GDP by over 60 per
richest countries – representing
airline flights as the average
population live on less than two
cent since 1980 and targets to
14 per cent of the current
Chinese person and is 50 times
dollars per day, and 10 per cent
reduce it by a further 20 per
global population – have been
more likely to own a car.
on less than one dollar per day.
cent by 2010. (2005 figures)
responsible for 60 per cent of 4 Export sector accounts for
accumulated CO2 emissions.
7 A leader in renewable energy
1O High efficiency technology
Mainland China – representing
about one-third of China’s
China ranks second for
Since 2005, the Chinese
20 per cent of the current
CO2 emissions
investments in renewable energy
government has required high-
global population – has been
This is equivalent to the
(about US$12 billion), after
efficiency, super-critical, coal-
responsible for only 8 per cent.
combined emissions of Germany,
Germany (US$14 billion). (2007)
fired technology for new large
France and the UK. Countries 2 Low per capita emissions
that outsource production and
power plants. In 2007, 553 8 A leader in low carbon
smaller inefficient power plants
In 2004, the average person
consume Chinese goods must
transport
with a total generating capacity
in the United States emitted
assume some responsibility.
In 2008, China implemented
of 14.38GW were shut down.
a 36 miles per gallon fuel
20.5 tons of CO2 – equivalent 5 Disproportionately affected
to emissions of 5 people in
economy standard for
China. The average per-capita
by climate change
passenger vehicles, almost 40
level for G-7 countries was
The melting of glaciers alone
per cent higher than in USA.
12 tonnes – the equivalent
could seriously affect the
level for 3 people in China.
water supply of a quarter of a billion people in China.
CO2 emissions % share
World population % share
23.0
25
23.0
21.1 19.2
CO2 Per-Capita (Tons)
21.1
China
20.5 20
19.2
17.3 17.3
17.3
15.4
15.4
13.5
13.5
15 12.1
11.6
United States
10.8 10.5 10
11.6
9.7
9.7
7.8
7.8
5.9
5.9
9.9 8.7 7
5
4 1.1
a
a in
ly
di In
Ch
ce
Ita
UK
an Fr
n
y an
pa Ja
G7
rm
CO2 emissions refer to energy-related emissions. Emissions from deforestation are not included.
Ge
na
US
A
4.0
Ca
4.0
da
0
Country
Figure 1:
Figure 2 :
% share CO2 emissions versus % share world population
CO2 Per-Capita for G-7 Countries, China and India – 2004 Data
Source: UNDP
Source: World Resources Institute
O.N.E December 2009
Obama, China, Developing Countries and Copenhagen – YES, We Can
By Stanley So
I n m i d - N o v e m b e r, w h e n U S
to abandon the Kyoto Protocol.
President Obama went to China for
Developing countries insist that any
the first time, climate change was near
agreement reached in Copenhagen
the top of the agenda. Obama – who
must include a continuation of the
is sometimes called “Obamao” on the
Kyoto Protocol, in line with common
mainland – was expected to live up to
but differentiated responsibilities.
his slogan “yes, you can” in regards
In Barcelona, the EU changed its
to climate change. Yet, no significant
tone on the prospect of concluding
breakthrough was made.
a new global pact in Copenhagen,
Americans, and people across
further adding to what is becoming
the world have had hope in
a widespread atmosphere of low
Obama’s renewed commitment to
expectations.
multilateralism on global issues, including climate change. He has made
Can the world wait?
several pledges that the US would
The millions of people facing
vigorously re-engage in global climate
serious floods, prolonged droughts,
negotiations. Yet, to date, Obama and
and failed harvest after failed harvest
the US have not shown leadership
will be the real losers if the US,
in the talks ; and many observers
Canada, EU, Japan and Australia
believe that this non-action is, in fact,
continue to behave as blockers to the
dragging down the negotiations.
UN negotiations. Oxfam projects that
O bama c an help change the course. Yes, he can. He must.
the number of people affected by climatic disasters will rise by 54% to 375 million people a year on average
Lack of political will from
by 2015. The world’s poorest countries
rich countries
which are already struggling to survive
The outcomes from the recent negotiations in Bangkok (September)
in the changing climate, need action, not hollow promises.
and in Barcelona ( November) do
In 2005, more than 90 per cent
not look promising. Rich countries,
of the population of people living in
including the US, have not committed
absolute poverty in China was affected
adequate financing to help poor
by climate change; and that figure is
countries adapt to the escalating
expected to rise. Since the 1990s, up to
impacts of climate change and develop
400 million people in China have been
combined cut from national pledges
must be supported by finance and
on a low carbon pathway.
affected each year by weather-related
made by industrialized contries – the
technology transfer from developed
disasters and secondary hazards.
Annex I countries – come up to only
countries.
I n B a n g ko k , t h e EU, J a p a n ,
Page for ‘C’ from the booklet ‘A to Z’ (in Chinese), available from: http://www.oxfam.org.hk/fs/view/right/climatechange/climate_change_glossary.pdf
Delay in reaching a pro -poor
16-23 per cent by 2020 (compared to
Finance: Oxfam estimates at least
developed, industrialised economies
climate deal in Copenhagen would
1990 levels, and excluding the US).
US$150 billion is needed each year
demonstrated their willingness to
pose more risks to poor communities
This falls short of what the climate
for developing countries to take
accommodate the US in a move that
in developing countries. Poor people
science urgently requires: for Annex
mitigation action and adaptation
was widely perceived to reinterpret
emit in signific ant quantitie s of
I countries to cut their emissions by
m e a s u r e s . H ow eve r, d eve l o p e d
the agreed principles of historical
greenhouses gases, yet suffer first,
25-40 per cent. Annex 1 countries
countries have made no firm
responsibility as well as common but
and the most, from climate impacts.
h ave b e e n p u s hi n g d eve l o p i n g
commitments on financing support.
countries to have legally binding
In October, European leaders said
emissions reductions targets as well;
that €22-€50 billion was needed in public finance to help poor countries
Canada, Australia and other
differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), which are enshrined in the United
Sticky issues
Nations Framework Convention on
Currently there are several key
but developing countries emphasise
Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol.
issues blocking the negotiations. Two
that past agreements state that their
tackle climate change. This offer falls
This triggered an angr y reaction
of them are:
mitigation actions are voluntary in
far short of what is required. Also
Emissions reductions targets: The
nature (in keeping with common but
there are no assurances that existing
UNFCCC Secretariat estimates that the
differentiated responsibilities), and
promises overseas aid will not simply
from the developing countries, which saw it as an attempt by rich countries
O.N.E December 2009
During the Climate Change
expectations. But it can be overcome. A
Summit in the United Nations General
month before the 1992 UN Framework
Assembly in September, President Hu
Convention on Climate Change was
Jintao announced China's intention
adopted, at the Earth Summit in Rio
to intensify efforts to improve energy
de Janeiro, we were told it could not
ef ficienc y and to reduce carbon
happen. The Convention went on to be
intensity by a "notable margin" by
signed and ratified by all countries. As
2020 from the 2005 levels.
President Obama has said, “Difficulty
All these efforts are only the tip
Stanley So of Oxfam Hong Kong (far right) and other Oxfam campaigners demonstrate the CO2 emissions of various countries
is no excuse for complacency.”
of the iceberg. They demonstrate and
Obama, yes, we can! And yes,
signify the willingness of developing
you can. You can ensure that the
countries to take action on climate
US leads in climate negotiations. A
change towards securing a climate
fair, ambitious and binding climate
deal that is fair to poor people.
deal is still possible in Copenhagen if rich countries, such as US and EU,
A deal is still possible
demonstrate political willingness
in Copenhagen
an d lea d e r s hip by u n d e r t akin g
be rebranded as climate finance.
the remaining 20 per cent relates to
It is still possible to strike a deal in
dual obligations – drastic emissions
Financial support from developed
industry and farming. This move is a
Copenhagen. Rich countries have no
reductions and adequate financial
countries must be new, additional and
strong “political gesture” aimed at
excuse not to deliver their obligations
support to developing countries.
predictable.
pressing rich nations into agreeing to
in order to combat the climate crisis for
large cuts in carbon.
which they are historically responsible.
Developing countries are taking action
Closer to home, China was ranked
These obligations include substantially
second for the absolute dollar amount
reducing their carbon emissions and
The suffering in poor countries
invested in renewable energy in 2007
supporting developing countries for
due to climate change does not
with approximately $12 billion, just
adapting to climate impacts.
always get headline treatment in
behind Germany, which invested
A call to delay a deal is, however,
rich countries. Media repor ts in
US$14 billion. Further proof that China
expec ted as par t of a concer ted
rich countries tend to focus on the
has done its part is its measure on low
strategy by rich countries to lower
threats posed by the future emission
carbon transport – in 2008, the country
growth of developing countries. This
implemented a 36 miles per gallon
creates a common misperception
fuel economy standard for passenger
that developing countries have done
vehicles, almost 40 per cent higher
nothing to tackle climate change. The
than US equivalents.
leaders of rich countries then take the
There has also been significant
convenient path and shift the blame
progress in energy efficiency – China
to developing countries, instead of
has reduced the energy intensity of
assuming leadership.
GDP by over 60 per cent since 1980,
Despite many development
and has set a target to reduce it by
challenges – such as high levels of
a further 20 per cent by 2010 (2005
poverty and low levels of human
figures). Since 2005, the Chinese
development – many developing
government has required that all
countries have already started to
new large power plants use high
tackle climate change.
efficiency super-critical coal fired
South Africa, for example, has
technology and, during 2007, 553
committed to a 15 per cent renewable
smaller inefficient plants with total
energy target by 2020. Mexico achieved
generating capacity of 14.38GW were
over 40% reduction in the use of dirty
shut down.
fuels between 2000 and 2006, and
I n J u n e 2 0 0 7, t h e C h i n e s e
committed itself to halve carbon
government released “China’s National
dioxide emissions by 2050.
Climate Change Programme”. It also
B razil h a s p l e d g e d to m a ke
established the National Climate
significant emission cuts, and
Change Coordination Committee. This
will take proposals for voluntary
climate change work is led by Premier
reductions of 38- 42 per cent by
Wen Jiabao, which illustrates the high
2020 to Copenhagen. The reductions
priority given to climate change in the
are from projected 2020 emission
political agenda.
Otherwise, delay kills. Stanley So is Campaigns Coordinator with Oxfam Hong Kong. He participated in climate change negotiations for the UN conferences in Poznan and Bangkok, and will also be present in Copenhagen.
levels if no action was taken. Half of Brazil’s proposed cuts will come from a reduction in deforestation, while
Oxfam ice figures in Hong Kong (top) and Poznan (bottom). Top photo: Boogie Chiu
O.N.E December 2009
climate change, poverty and the body Oxfam research with farmers and fishers in over 15 countries reveals how climate change is affecting basic aspects of life for poor people – food to eat, water to drink, diseases people catch, where people live, and survival itself.
TO EAT
HOMES
“We are eating nothing.”
“As soon as people see clouds forming, they put together their stuff and head for the hills.”
Mukelabai Liywalii, Farmer, Zambia
Climate-related hunger could be the defining human tragedy of this century. Rice, which more people depend on than on any other crop, is a very climate-sensitive plant: for every 1ºC rise in minimum temperature, the yield drops 10 per cent: in the Philippines alone, people might have 70 per cent less rice. Maize, a staple for more than 250 million people in Africa is also vulnerable to heat changes and water stress.
Gary Novamn, farmer, survivor of hurricanes in Haiti
DISEASE
OTHER WORK
“Last month my daughter was infected by dengue fever, now my third daughter is. It’s been too heavy for me.”
“Working under the open sun during summer has become nearly impossible in the past four years or so – for farmers and their cattle alike.”
Iha, Indonesia
Mir Ahmed, Farmer, Bangladesh
Diseases of the tropics such as malaria are spreading to new areas such as Russia, where people lack immunity or the knowledge and healthcare infrastructure to cope. Rates of bilharzia, the second most economically devastating disease after malaria, are increasing in China. Dengue, encephalitis, yellow fever and many other water- or insect-borne diseases are on the rise. / Photo: Dengue patient and mother, Indonesia / Oxfam
SURVIVING “Nature has got much worse, people have offended nature.” Gregory Rykhtyn, Siberia
FARMING AND FISHING WORK “We’ve stopped even adopting seasonal planting, because it’s so useless. Now we just try all the time… Now we plant and plant again. We waste a lot of seeds that way, and our time and energy… Sometimes you feel like crying.”
TO DRINK “The rich are still swimming in their pools while we are dying of thirst… we have got almost nothing to drink.” Graciela Martinez, Mexico
Florence Madamu, Farmer, Uganda
Water supplies are becoming so acutely challenged that major cities such as Kathmandu and La Paz – fed by water from the Himalayan and Andes glaciers – will cease to exist in their current form. In Mexico City, the largest city in the Americas with a population of 22.9m, taps ran dry for several months of 2009. Between one and two billion people in China will face water shortages if the Himalayan glaciers fail. / Photo: Water sources drying up in Pakistan / Sarfaraz Ahmad, Hunderkada, Oxfam
Rising temperatures will make it impossible for people to work at the same rate on hot summer days without serious health impacts with huge ramifications for labourers paid by the hour and the wider economy. Tropical cities such as Delhi could see a drop in worker productivity of as much as 30 percent. Hong Kong is also at risk.
An estimated 26 million people worldwide are displaced as a direct result of climate change. Whole communities in Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Bay of Bengal have already relocated because of sea level rise, and 16 million Egyptians may also have to leave their homes. Violence is another factor in the decision to leave one’s home; 40 per cent of intra-state conflicts are linked to disputes over natural resources. / Photo: Uganda, storm clouds / John McGrath, Oxfam
Farmers are no longer able to rely on weather patterns and the seasons – it is changing too quickly; generations of experience is no longer relevant. The 2.6 billion fishers around the world are also at risk: ‘dead zones’ are appearing in the Indian Ocean, and 90 per cent of food in the ‘coral triangle’ of the western pacific may disappear. / Photo: Bangladesh: The crops of farmer Mohfiz Prodhan, 77, are dying in the erratic floods / CSRL and Daily New Age
Disasters are becoming the norm, not the exception. Three times as many climate-related disasters such as floods, typhoons and drought are expected to occur, affecting about 375 million people each year. Poor people are always hit hardest, with the fewest resources to survive, cope, and start again. In rich countries, the average number of deaths per disaster is 23, while in poorer, the average is 1,052. / Photo: After a hurricane in Haiti / Diana Hernandez Cordero, Oxfam
Source: Suffering the Science - Climate Change, People and Poverty, Oxfam International, July 2009. To read the full report, go to www. oxfam.org.hk. (http://www.oxfam.org.hk/ public/contents/press?ha=&wc=0&hb=&hc=&r evision_id=62521&item_id=62520)
O.N.E December 2009
Music, floating gardens, and climate change
By Nicole Lee
When Paul Wong, the lead musician
Far m e r s in Vab anip u r are
floodwaters. Before all the big floods,
now we are trying to grow other
of the Hong Kong band Beyond, visited
experimenting with ‘floating gardens’
the family used to earn an average
crops such as tomatoes, herbs and
the northeast Bangladesh village of
which mean that even with floods,
HK$650 each month from the rice;
vegetables. We have also shifted to
Vabanipur, he could see and feel how
they can still farm – not into the
they have expec tations that the
growing a kind of rice with a shorter
the climate is changing.
earth, but on top of floodwater. This
floating gardens will once again be
growing time, hoping to harvest them
”We traveled to the village by
innovative project is through the
able to provide for the family.
before the flashfloods come.”
boat. On the way, I saw what looked
Center for Natural Resources Studies,
Paul was particularly touched
“Without these climate-sensitive
like an ocean – it had originally been
a Bangladesh NGO, and supported by
by Shefali, a 45-year-old rice farmer
farming methods, Vabanipur might be
a vast field of rice. People told me
Oxfam Hong Kong. Over the past few
who told him that when she was
in ruins,” says Paul. “The new methods
that it is flooded for six to seven
years, Oxfam has learned that in order
young, they used to have six seasons,
seem to be off to a great start, and
months of the year now. They said that
to assist communities to maintain and
including the monsoon seasons. The
people like Shefali and Mrithunjoy
the weather has been so abnormal
improve their livelihoods in the long
weather was milder, with summers
are full of hope. Oxfam has also
recently, with the monsoon seasons
run, we now have to introduce climate
not too hot, and winters not too cold.
been supporting the building of an
earlier, rainstorms heavier, and their
adaptation measures alongside our
Nowadays, the six seasons are not
education centre right in the village
harvests smaller. The evolution of
usual poverty-reduction work.
clearly distinguishable. The summer
– in the past, floods blocked all the
Vabanipur clearly indicated to me just
A farmer named Mrithunjoy is
is longer and harsher, as if the winter
transportation in and out of the village
how badly climate change has hit this
the first person in the village to try
season has almost disappeared. What
and kids could not get to school. We in
farming village.”
farming on floating gardens, and he
she fears most is the flashfloods. Paul
Hong Kong may not realise that carbon
A lre a d y o n e of t h e p o o re s t
is very happy with the ‘invention’,
can still sense the chills when Shefali
dioxide and other greenhouse gases
countrie s in the world, with 37
saying, “This 10 x 30 foot farm is
talked about the flashfloods.
we emit every day are changing the
million of its 150 million people living
built on a wood frame. I fixed its
“When I was young, there were
climate around the world, including in
in ex treme pover t y, Bangladesh
position with string, which helps to
no flashfloods like that,” Shefali.
Bangladesh. The average Hong Kong
is at risk of even worse pover t y
prevent it from being washed away
“Even though there was rain in the
person emits twice the global average,
due to climatic changes. Weather is
by floodwaters, and filled the frame
summer, it seldom caused any real
and our excessive emissions essentially
unpredictable, seasonal patterns are
with soil. It’s ready now!”
damage. Now rainstorms are fiercer
mean more suffering in at-risk, low-
changing, flashfloods are getting
Mrithunjoy has to support a large
and the monsoon winds are as early
lying countries like Bangladesh. I feel
more dangerous, and temperatures
family through these rice harvests:
as April, suddenly causing these new
responsible for their suffering.”
have increased over the last 20 years
he lives with his parents and six
flashfloods. We have felt so helpless,
Paul Wong wonders. What is the
(in May, for instance, it’s 1°C hotter
younger brothers and sisters. Without
with nothing to do but watch our
sound of the climate changing? Can
and in November, 0.5°C hotter), and
the floating gardens, the family
precious crops be destroyed by floods
music make a difference? Let’s see
the northeast (where Vabanipur is
crops were all being destroyed, and
that came too early, before harvest.”
what songs the Oxfam Ambassador
located) faces floods for more than
they would lose one fourth of the
Besides the new floating gardens,
half of the year. Agricultural experts
family income ; they also had to
Shefali, Mrithunjoy and other farmers
estimate that climate change has led
spend an extra HK$2,860 to raise the
in Vabanipur are trying other ways of
to a 13 to 17% drop of agricultural
homestead about every two years to
farming to adapt. Shefali explained,
products nationwide.
keep the house safe from the rising
“In the past, we only grew rice, but
Floating gardens in flood-prone Bangladesh: tomatoes, vegetables and soon, rice / Photo: Chun Wai
might write now. Nicole Lee, a campaigner against climate change with Oxfam Hong Kong, accompanied Paul Wong to Bangladesh in October 2009.
Photo: Chun Wai
O.N.E December 2009
desh Bangla
BANGL IN IS IS R C THE CLIMATE Wong ul Photos by Pa
ADESH
For more photos by mus ician Paul Wong, an Oxf am Ambassador against clim ate change, please visit his blog: http://hk.myblog.yahoo .com/wongpaul_hk
O.N.E December 2009
ACTION in HONG KONG
SIGN
Send your voice to the UN
www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange
join
Climate crisis group on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34678733199
SIng
2.12, outside the Legislative Council, Central, Hong Kong
http://hkcomplaintschoir.blogspot.com
walk
12.12 is the Global Day of Action Action is happening in over 100 countries Hong Kong joins with WALK FOR OUR WINTER Walk for Winter: http://www.facebook.com/walk4winter?v=info
Walk for Our Winter, 12.12,
Global Day of Action: http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org
Avenue of the Stars, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong
www.facebook.com/walk4winter
read
‘A to Z’, easy-to-read tips (in Chinese)
www.oxfam.org.hk/fs/view/right/climatechange/climate_change_glossary.pdf
See
Bangladesh / in a video with Oxfam Ambassador Paul Wong of Beyond fame
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn7JPNJt2Jk Peru / by model and photographer Helena Christensen
www.proud.co.uk/Meltdown-Images-of-Climate-Change-Helena-Christensen.aspx Vietnam / by Magnum photographer Martin Parr
www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/climate_change/ 14 countries / in an exhibition ‘Canvas for Change’
www.flickr.com/photos/oxfam/sets/72157609272781509/show/
play
An interactive game on climate change
www.oxfam.org.hk/climatechange/youth2008/game1_en.html
Support
Combat Climate Change Coalition: A coalition of 29 (and counting) groups in Hong Kong, initiated by Greenpeace China, Oxfam Hong Kong, and World Wide Fund for Nature, Hong Kong
The 29 members: Breakthrough Limited / Catholic ‘Messengers of Green Consciousness / Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong / Clear The Air / Eco Association / Friends of The Earth (Hong Kong) / Green Council / Greenpeace China / Green Power / Greeners Action / Greensense / Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement / Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions / Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres / Hong Kong People's Council for Sustainable Development / Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union / Neighbourhood and Worker’s Service Centre / Oxfam Hong Kong / Produce Green Foundation / Senior Citizen Home Safety Association / St. James' Settlement - Community Oriented Mutual Economy / The Boys' & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong / The Conservancy Association / The Hong Kong Allergy Association / The Hong Kong Asthma Society / The Professional Commons / The Roundtable / World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong / Youth Voice
O.N.E December 2009
10
Every day, Oxfam Hong Kong
3
N e w PartnerOrganisations
works alongside hundreds of groups around the world, from
Oxfam Books
EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER
small NGOs to international bodies,
OX-Tales is a series of four paperback originals that highlight Oxfam’s
from government departments of
work for the world: Earth (from land rights to farming), Air (campaigning to
developing countries to community
climate change), Fire (supporting survivors of conflict) and Water (safe water
groups based in Hong Kong. Here are
in emergencies).
3 ‘partner organisations’ that we are
OX-Tales features 38 authors – including Hanif Kureishi, Ian Rankin and
supporting for the first time.
Jeanette Winterson – who have donated their writing to Oxfam. In Hong
HONG KONG
Kong, the books are available at selected Dymocks, Metrobooks and Page
• KEEP Consulting Ltd
One bookshops.
• Women's Network and Training Center BEIJING
• Chengbiancun Project Group for Migrant Workers Website
In this edition of O.N.E, we highlight the Chengbiancun Project Group for Migrant Workers Website, www.chengbiancun.com, a website (in Chinese) with comprehensive information on culture, work, health and legal rights for migrant workers. It is due to be launched in January 2010. Migrant workers often face boredom and monotony in their jobs, in their lives, and internet surfing has become a main recreational activity of the current generation of workers – often called the ‘newborn’ or ‘second’ generation. Internet cafes are popular around the Yangtze and Pearl rivers, where many migrant workers are based. Several websites have been set up with these workers in mind, yet, the Chengbiancun Project Group feels that many of the sites only have limited content on useful things such as job recruitments, legal information, creative writing by migrant workers, and relevant statistics and research on migrant labour. They also feel that the information that is available tends to scattered on various sites. Through the new site, they aim to be a source of authoritative and comprehensive information, to provide a platform for migrant workers to voice out their needs, and create space for concerned people to advocate for better conditions for migrant workers. The Project Group was established by migrant workers, NGO workers, graduate students, and others who are concerned about migrant worker issues; most of the co-founders had previously served as interns with Oxfam Hong Kong on migrant worker programmes. Nowadays, they are the ones Nowadays, they are the ones who provide training for volunteers and interns on offering services with migrant workers.
For more information, visit: www.oxfam.org.uk/books
MOKUNG
ONE
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O.N.E – Oxfam News E-magazine – is uploaded monthly at www.oxfam.org.hk/one.
published every two months, and each time, it highlights
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a different topic. In Chinese, MOKUNG means both
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'infinity' and 'no poverty' – there are so many things to be done to stop poverty and its injustice. The current edition focuses on youth unemployment and the
O.N.E (Oxfam News E-magazine) is published monthly by Oxfam Hong Kong, 17th
minimum wage in Hong Kong. The next edition will be
Floor, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong. The publisher
on Climate Change.
does not necessarily endorse views expressed by contributors. For permission to
In print (subscription is HK$20/year) and on-line (www.oxfam.org.hk). To subscribe: www.oxfam.org.hk/public/bookstore/?lang=big5 Mokung is online at www.oxfam.org.hk/public/contents/category?cid=1017&lang=big5
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O.N.E is also on-line: www.oxfam.org.hk/one Editor: Madeleine Marie Slavick (emagazine@oxfam.org.hk)