\nThe campaign urges world leaders who are gathering at the summit to recognise Tibet\u2019s importance to the environmental health and sustainability of the planet and to make this a factor of a strong global climate agreement at COP21.
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<\/a><\/p>\nScientists have been calling Tibet the Third Pole\u0f0bdue to its ice reserves, second only to the Arctic and Antarctic. Yet over the past 50 years, the temperature of the Tibetan Plateau has increased by three times the global average. Tibet is facing the impact of climate change at a higher rate than elsewhere in the world, with resultant melting glaciers, deteriorating permafrost, degrading grassland and increasing desertification. The consequences of these changes will affect Tibet and the 1.3 billion people in Asia who are dependent on the rivers flowing from Tibet.<\/p>\n
A video recorded message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama was screened at the campaign launch. \u201cThis blue planet is our only home and Tibet is its roof. As vital as the Arctic and Antarctic, it is the Third Pole\u201d said His Holiness in the message, adding \u201cThe Tibetan Plateau needs to be protected, not just for Tibetans but for the environmental health and sustainability of the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are three strands to the campaign, all participatory: Thunderclap which is looking to gain 500 supporters for Tibet Climate Action for the Roof of the World by November 28; a \u201cRoof of the World\u201d photo challenge which invites people to post photos on social media of themselves forming a roof over their heads with their hands; and a people\u2019s climate march in Paris which will take place on November 29.<\/p>\n
In his message His Holiness also said \u201cThere has been a lot of human waste problems created by people. So those problems created by human beings, logically we humans have the responsibility to reduce\u2026and eliminate these problems, this is not political matter or religious matter but these are ultimately survival of humanity\u201d.
\nSikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the CTA, said: \u201cTibetans must have a say on what happens to their land; Tibetan nomads are the expert custodians of the alpine pastures and their knowledge and experience must be recognised. China\u2019s recently introduced Environment Protection Law must be used as a legal framework to hold the Chinese government to account. This law should be fairly and rigorously implemented in Tibet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Vandana Shiva, the renowned Indian scholar and environmentalist, has commented on the issue, saying \u201cThe Tibetan Plateau needs to be protected and Tibetans must be the stewards of their own land so they can take care of the Roof of the World which supports half of humanity\u201d. She added: \u201cHis Holiness is sounding the warning bell for the health of the planet and we need a groundswell of support for climate action for the Roof of the World as world leaders gather in Paris.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tibetan non government organisations are not far behind in voicing their concern. The Tibetan Women\u2019s Association and Students for a Free Tibet, India are preparing for three days of events in Delhi,to be coordinated by International Tibet Network. There will be street theatre and a demonstration in front of the UN Office in Delhi on November 27, a seminar at the India International Centre on November 28 and they will be leading the People\u2019s March on November 29. The events will highlight environmental degradation in Tibet, illegal mining, damming and the forceful resettlement of Tibetan nomads. \u201cThrough these activities we are spreading awareness of Tibet\u2019s critical environment situation as well as sending our support to the Tibetan delegations attending the summit in Paris\u201d said Jyotsna George, SFT\u2019s Campaign Director, India.<\/p>\n