I AM 2015! MY FUTURE COUNTS! I AM NIGERIA! We believe that the year 2015 is critically important as processes that will potentially shape development frameworks across the globe will be concluded by 2015: 2015 is the year of two United Nations summits that can bend the course of history. One in September that will agree new goals –a new framework for humanity – to tackle poverty, inequality and environmental challenges. The other, in December to set new climate action targets, a crucial step towards a safer planet. Also in March this year, the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will develop a post-2015 framework for DRR just as many countries including Nigeria, are billed to hold general elections this year. We view the aforementioned processes as inter-related and dependent on each other as 2015 is the year our leaders will write their ‘to do lists’for a generation and what comes out of those negotiations will reveal how ambitious they are – or aren’t – for the kind of world we can build together. World leaders must raise their ambition for humanity, but to make that happen, we must first raise our voice. We know three things. Firstly, the world is off track for ending poverty, tackling inequality and avoiding dangerous climate change. Secondly, it doesn’t have to be this way: we’ve already shown we can halve child deaths and protect the ozone layer. We know how to fix problems – even really big ones – when we try. Third it will take pressure from all of us to get world leaders to make and keep the big commitments we need for a better world. We believe that Sustainable Development Goals cannot be attained if the global community fails to heed the recommendations by science and act decisively on climate change. At the 2012 Rio+20 Conference, all countries agreed that climate change is a major obstacle to sustainable development and poverty eradication. This is supported by the experience of people living in poverty and vulnerability and major UN reports feeding into Post-2015. Science further underlines the immediate need for action in all areas including international development. The urgency for action is underpinned by climate science and the window of opportunity for avoiding dangerous climate change is rapidly closing. it is in the light of the above concerns that action/2015Nigeria navigates into existence. action/2015Nigeria is part of the global action/2015 which is a movement of people who believe that 2015 can be a pivotal year to change the future of our people and our planet. action/2015Nigeria therefore demands that2015 commitments must reflect an end to extreme poverty by 2030 that condemns millions of people, especially women and girls, to an early death, poor education and ill health, a turning point in the soaring levels of inequality and discrimination driven by economic policies that deliver for the few rather than the many, and an accelerated transition to 100% renewable energy so that a safer climate and sustainable economy – with all its benefits for people and planet is made possible. Post-2015 Framework must help to make climate action in all countries happen without further delay and must support poor people, particularly in Africa and Nigeria to build resilience so as to adapt to climate impacts they are experiencing already. The post-2015 framework should address all risks and hazards, both natural and human-made, including conflict. Moreover the framework must be part of, not separate from other development and environmental frameworks so that disasters, development, poverty and climate change are strategically integrated, particularly at the community level. All 2015 commitments must be underpinned by the four guiding principles of inclusion, equity, people- centredness and environmental sustainability and should prioritise support to high-risk countries like Nigeria and populations disproportionately impacted by natural and human-made hazards and disasters. action/2015Nigeria demands that any 2015 Agenda should prioritise high frequency, low-severity weather- related disasters, particularly in Nigeria and areas of insecurity, insurgency and fragility. With many countries, cities, and states including Nigeria, billed to hold elections this year and next, action/2015Nigeria calls on Nigerians to pile up pressure on their aspirants until climate change, poverty elimination and renewable energy transition become embedded not just in their manifestoes, but as fundamental human rights necessitating urgent attention of all. As 2015 beckons, action/2015Nigeria will put on the front burner climate action bordering on climate-smart agriculture, re-shoring the economy, sustainable land planning, alternatives to the car-culture, energy sobriety, eco-housing, ethical finance, social and environmental conversion of manufacturing, ethical consumption, a new share of wealth and work, community support, waste reduction and recycling, preservation of common goods such as water, soil, and forests. action/2015Nigeria as an avenue to think globally while acting locally, will provide ways for everyone everywhere to get involved by talking, taking action, texting and tweeting their way into influencing the outcomes of these global debates. These debates affect us all. Our leaders must hear our voice. When political leaders meet and define their positions in these agreements, they will know that millions and millions of people will be demanding their human rights, listening to their promises and are ready to hold them accountable for what they do. With a membership of over 100 organisations cutting across the six geo- political zones in Nigeria, action/2015Nigeria brings together organisations, comprising grassroots community practitioners, trusts, federations of slum dwellers and pastoralists, home based caregivers, youth, media, women and faith-based organisations, including those working on child welfare, the elderly, disabled and those focusing on livestock and animal welfare, to commonly unite around the idea that 2015 could be a crossroad, and that we must act now to change the future for our people and planet. action/2015Nigeria aspires to unify and coordinate isolated civil society efforts in Nigeria to ensure that people-centred response mechanisms are accorded desirable attention and relevance as 2015presents a unique opportunity to shape our future. Tell leaders which path you want for humanity. Join action/2015Nigeria .
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:15:06 +0000
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