Towards climate justice: fresh perspectives in the climate discussion

Towards climate justice: fresh perspectives in the climate discussion

Exploring our region’s climate challenges, recognising the threats to decades of social and economic progress.

 
About this event
Moderated by Bank Australia’s Victoria McKenzie-McHarg – Climates hosted this discussion on climate justice featuring: ● Professor Gillian Triggs – former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission ● Pita Taufatofua – Tongan Olympian and Winter Olympian ● Wendy Farmer – President of Voices of the Valley – Latrobe Valley ● Professor Mick Dodson AM – Indigenous Australian barrister, academic, and member of the Yawuru peoples
This diverse panel explored climate justice from a range of perspectives, recognising that it threatens to undermine social and economic progress across our region. A breadth of social justice issues was be highlighted, provoking discussion about the scale of institutional change required to move our region forward.This event included a powerful call-to-action by Joseph Zane Sikulu from 350.org Pacific.
Climate Justice Panel

Event media
This event attracted substantial TV and radio media attention, particularly in relation to the participation of Tongan Olympian and Winter Olympian Pita Taufatofua. This was one of the first times Taufatofua had used his platform to raise awareness about the climate crisis, less than two months after Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita devastated his home island of Tongatapu. ● Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua’s perspective on ‘climate justice’ ● Pita Taufatofua: Viral Tongan Olympic sensation sets sights on climate change; eyes third sport ● Shirtless Tongan flag-bearer Pita Taufatofua in bid for third Olympic sport ● Tongan Olympic Sensation Pita Taufatofua Speaks Out About Climate Justice
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Event broadcast
Since 2018, Climates has worked closely with Digital Storytellers and event sponsors to ensure all events are accessible to people right across Oceania. See the Facebook Live recording for the full event. This event was hosted in Melbourne, Australia on 5 April 2018.  
“Climate change is undeniably a human rights issue, and I think that that’s been rather neglected in the discussion. We really must start to talk about what is the impact on human beings.” Professor Gillian Triggs