What would you do if you knew that part of the place you call home would be lost to rising sea levels by 2050?
Residents of the Caribbean island of Bonaire are currently facing these challenges as rising sea levels due to climate change threaten to permanently submerge parts of their homeland.
Here’s what they do about it: Last year, eight residents collaborated with Greenpeace Netherlands. We sue the Dutch government for violating human rights through insufficient climate action.
And we have a big update: the court just agreed. case can proceed — This is This is incredible progress for climate justice!
The southern Caribbean island of Bonaire, which became a Dutch state in 1636 as a result of colonial struggles, is being deeply affected by the climate crisis.
According to a study commissioned by Greenpeace Islanders face serious risks from rising sea levels, increased heat, and the destruction of coral reefs.. If global carbon emissions do not decrease significantly, A fifth of Bonaire could disappear into the sea by the end of this century.
“The Caribbean Netherlands has been forgotten for too long,” said Danique Martis, a social worker and one of the plaintiffs. While plans are in place to protect the European Netherlands from rising sea levels and other consequences of the climate crisis, this is not yet the case for Bonaire. It’s sad to see how they act even though they know their responsibilities. The Dutch government has decided to set aside our right to security. “For this reason we have no choice but to take action as we are going to court,” he said.
Residents of the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire have launched legal action with Greenpeace Netherlands against the Dutch government to protect Bonaire from climate change.
Just a few weeks ago, dozens of people, including representatives of the Caribbean diaspora and the climate movement — A symbolic protest was held in The Hague, the capital of the Netherlands. The group marched from the Prime Minister’s Office to the local court where the summons was delivered. We are amplifying the voices of Bonaire residents calling for action. [1]
We’re very excited to see what happens with this case and will keep you updated as it progresses. But for now this link (article in dutch).
source:
[1] Research at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Impacts of climate change on Bonaire: analysis of different scenarios and implications for the Dutch Caribbean municipality.
