CLIMATE
CHANGE, MOVER & SHAKER – MARJAN MINNESMA
In my previous blog I shared my rediscovery of
radio; an opportunity arising from seeming adversity.
Well, last night at 10 pm I tuned into Sunday
Nights on ABC radio and heard this splendid interview with a remarkable Dutch
lady, Marjan Minnesma about ordinary people taking effective direct action
about climate change.
If you’re like me – frustrated because our
political leaders, for whatever reasons, refuse to bite the bullet regarding
carbon emissions and its apparent effect on world climate – I urge you to
listen to the 28 minute interview with Marjan Minnesma.
Very powerful and encouraging!
The
Interview: Marjan Minnesma
Sunday, August 9,
2015
Interview: Marjan Minnesma, Director of Urgenda | Lateline
Related Audio:
The
Interview: Marjan Minnesma
In 2013
Marjan Minnesma of the Netherlands thought her country's government wasn't
taking enough action on climate change.
She and
almost 900 other Dutch citizens took the Government to court, arguing that the
state had a duty of care to protect its people from the harmful consequences of
global warming.
In June
this year the Hague District Court handed down its
verdict that the
Dutch Government must do more to bring down its country's carbon emissions in
order to keep its people safe.
The
Netherlands is one of the countries scientists say is likely to be affected by
rising sea levels.
The Court
agreed with Marjan Minnesma and her fellow plaintiffs, ordering the Dutch
Government to increase its target for reducing emissions from up to 17 per cent
on 1990 levels by 2020, to 25 per cent.
The judge
said, "The state should not hide behind the argument that the solution to
the global climate problem does not depend solely on Dutch efforts. Any
reduction of emissions contributes to the prevention of dangerous climate
change and as a developed country the Netherlands should take the lead on
this."
Marjan
Minnesma is now touring the world telling other groups how to mount similar
actions including in Australia.
She spoke
to Noel Debien of ABC Sunday Nights
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