The idea of power shift is not new, it’s been happening in different countries. The first ever power shift was organized in U.S in 2007 by the Energy Action Coalition, since then there has been power shifts year after year in every continent.
Carrying forward the idea of power shifts, 350.org a youth led network gave it the shape of first ever Global Power Shift, the coordinated global movement on climate change, its impacts and solutions involving youth from 135 countries held at Istanbul, Turkey from 24th June to 30th June 2013 and collectively taking the movement to next level all around the globe. Ali Abbas, a young activist with Masters of Social work (MSW) from Amity University, joins Halabol platform to abreast us all about GPS.
He started by telling us about GPS and Turkey Summit held this year. “The issue of climate change has to be dealt with utter urgency through coordinated and collective efforts, and the whole idea of Global Power Shift is to build that movement in the form of National power shifts. During Turkey Summit, three buckets were the main focus – The Climate change, its Impacts and Solutions. Youth leaders from 135 countries who were part of Global Power Shift came to Istanbul to gain exposure, share and learn from each other experiences and sharing global vision of change. Further we were trained in 5 specialised skills to enhance our campaigning skills, which were Nonviolent Direct Action, Creative Activism, Policy, Media and Digital Campaigning.”
Ali has been actively participating in different environmental protests and has also been detained by the police 4 times. “India is one of the important and key nations at global arena given its massive emissions, rapid industrialization and ability to adopt change. Being one of the most populated countries with vast diversity, our participation in GPS was significant with 12 participants, second biggest group after China. We were part of South Asian delegation which comprised of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Two of our members gave key addresses to all the participants and on the last day, we helped in coordinating the march attended by more than thousand people. Few of our members made valuable use of the opportunity and formed alliance with other groups from other countries like BRIC nations, Asian Countries and important alliance with Pakistan with a wish to work on the issue of climate change and beyond.”
Ali told us that out of hundreds of forms received by 350.org, 16 participants were selected and only 12 were able to make it to Istanbul.These 12 participants came from diverse backgrounds and regions and are actively involved in the issue of climate change while working across different sectors. This group of 16, along with 350.org members are now united under the name of Udaan, and playing different roles based on the skills they have to organize National power shift and further.
“To enhance our campaigning skills, we were given exposure on 5 different tracks in GPS Istanbul by the trainers who are specialised and experienced. These 5 tracks covered how to use media and an effective tool for campaign; how to lobby with government and other stakeholders; use of creative activism in the form of storytelling, arts etc; how to organize nonviolent direct actions and further hands-on digital campaigning involving internet and social networking sites.”
Ali also told us that after coming back to India, the GPS team has been in the process of planning National Power Shift which is likely to happen in December with more than 200 participants joining this event from all across the country to take the movement further from there on. Talking about sensitizing masses about ecological changes, he said
“Global warming has already started showing its signs; we are witnessing more extreme weathers, floods, droughts, fires. This year, we had drought in Maharashtra and heavy rainfalls in upper north. Most of us have accepted the facts provided by science, that we need to act urgently, the only people who are denying it is a bunch of corporates, so greedy of continuing the business in coal and oil industry that they are putting the life of millions on stake, and few corrupt politicians who are hand in gloves with these corporates. This is one side of it, another side is that we will continue to apply pressure on business and political class, which will involve peaceful confrontation to bring in right policies in place.”
Ali candidly shared that they want more and more people to get connected with this movement on climate change. They want to win the support of the youth who are working in urban and rural setup and wish them to come forward for attending the National Power Shift. Forms for joining GPS will be out soon.
“We want likeminded partners be it be Individuals, NGO’s, organizations and corporates to support National Power Shift, in organizing it in any way possible. We need the support of students who could spread the words in colleges and society, we need the support of journalist and writers who could write stories on the issue and efforts people are making to overturn it. We need the support of artists of different kinds, painters, photographers, singers, movie makers etc to popularise National power shift and spread to every region possible in the country. We want celebrities to join the cause, talk about the movement, promote it and actively participate in it. In short, we need overall support from all sorts of people.”
Indeed, anything that helps to preserve our environment and make people aware about the same is worthy of whole-hearted support.
We encourage our young readers to read more about GPS by visiting the link.
And if you have the will to do something worthwhile for Mother Nature, go ahead and prove yourself to be worthy of being a part of GPS in India.
Author: Anu M for Halabol.
Halabol is an online platform for social activism that bring together citizens, NGO’s and businesses for social good.
