Bolivian Government Increases its Moral Authority on Climate Change

Karin Nansen, Vice-Chair of Friends of the Earth International and Coordinator of Friends of the Uruguay said:

"All countries should follow the good example set by Bolivia on climate issues. Disgracefully, some rich industrialised countries accused the Bolivian government of being obstructionist in the UN climate talks. The US has even denied climate aid to Bolivia. Friends of the Earth International is collaborating with social movements and the Bolivian government to promote genuine climate justice demands including the promotion of food sovereignty and rejection of carbon trading."

Social movements gathered in Bolivia are demanding that other governments start promoting climate justice demands like those of the Bolivian government, ahead of UN climate talks due to start in Cancun, Mexico in November.

Domingo Lechon, Climate Justice co-ordinator from Friends of the Earth Mexico, based in Chiapas said:

"Cochabamba represents a unique opportunity for popular demands to be adopted by governments. This contrasts sharply to the failed Copenhagen talks which were torpedoed by rich country divide and rule tactics. We will use this new, people`s agenda as a rallying call to mobilize movements of affected peoples, Indigenous Peoples, peasant farmers, trade unions and women to dismantle corporate power and force our governments into action."

Notes

The Bolivia Conference website is: http://wwww.cmpcc.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IN BOLIVIA

Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of the Friends of the Earth International and Director of Friends of the Nigeria. Bolivian mobile: +591 74305512 (Bolivian number valid only April 21-22)

Karin Nansen, Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Earth Uruguay and Coordinator of Friends of the Uruguay. +591 74805264 (Bolivian number valid only April 21-22)

Joseph Zacune, Coordinator of Climate Justice and Energy Program. + 591 74303913 (Bolivian number valid only April 21-23)