Climate Change is now

A translucent monster hovers over mankind and a plethora of other life forms as we countdown to the Cop15, where some of the most important decisions of our time will be made. As our leaders stand in the shadows of contemplation trying to avoid responsibility and denying the potential catastrophic consequences, somewhere in a drought-hit rural expanse, lives are taken and children orphaned.

Climate change and its effects are already being felt in India. Though, India has historically contributed little to this fiasco that now looms clear, her sons and daughters are amongst the first to feel its effects. An evident manifestation of this is of course, is the extremely erratic nature of this year’s monsoon. The media screamed out reports of floods, droughts, thunderstorms and rising temperatures.

In rural Andhra Pradesh, men consumed pesticides to relieve themselves from the harsh clutches of drought leaving their wives to deal with the pressure of high-interest debts and their children with the lone wooden plough.

In coastal Tamil Nadu, where the phenomenon of the South West monsoon has been entirely lost for the major part of the past decade, fishermen and farmers struggle to make ends meet as it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain their livelihood.

The intimidating Cyclone Aila that hit the famous Sunderbans forest region of Bengal left hundreds dead, thousands missing and tens of thousands others homeless. Not far from there, the residents of Ghoramara witness rising sea levels every passing day. Farming land is lost and homes are eaten up. The victims of Sunderbans and Ghoramara are one of India’s first climate refugees.

Of course, this is only the tip of the rapidly melting iceberg.

Women ploughed fields naked in Uttar Pradesh, two frogs were married in Karnataka and children rolled on the scorching hot ground in Bihar – rituals performed to appease the fury of the rain gods. Thunderstorms rendered many homeless in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bagmathi River breached its embankment in Bihar forcing thousands to relocate. The rage has already been unleashed.

With neither the knowledge nor the financial means to adapt, it is the poor and marginalised who will suffer the most. Tragically, these stories are set to increase in both scale and scope if stringent commitments on emission cuts and dependence on renewable energy is not volunteered by both the developed and the developing world. While the rest of the world points to India and China to take responsibility as the fastest growing economies in the world, a climate alliance between the countries could help the faces behind these negotiations gain significance.

Today, a hundred ice sculptures of children melted at the 'Temple of Earth', Beijing, signifying the urgency of the issue and the impacts it could have on our future generations. The clock is ticking.

Greenpeace China's action today appeals to the Cop15 negotiators for the children of tomorrow.