Fourth Annual Interfaith Climate Conference Climate Justice Rising

Fourth Annual Interfaith Climate Conference Climate Justice: Rising to the Challenge Climate Change in Bolivia By: Humberto Camacho Hubert Humphrey Fellow 2015 -2016 University of California Davis, March 5 th. , 2016

Outline 1. Background information about Bolivia 2. Causes of Climate Change (world) 3. Pachamama and Climate Change 4. The choices we face now

1. Background information about Bolivia

"If from Romulus comes Rome, then from Bolívar comes Bolivia" (congressman Manuel Martín Cruz, approved by the Republic on October 1825), In 2009, a new national constitution changed the country's official name to "Plurinational State of Bolivia" in recognition of the multi-ethnic nature of the country and the enhanced position of Bolivia's indigenous peoples under the new constitution.

Basic information: ü Area: 1, 1 million km 2 ü Population: 11 million (60% Urban, 40%Rural) ü Minimum salary: $200/month ü Highly dependent on natural resources exploitation: Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, refined petroleum ü Human Development Index (HDI), 2012: 0, 675 (108 out of 187; life expectancy, education, per capita income) ü MRC under the age of 5: 50 out of 1, 000 (Mean LAC: 25) ü Bolivia is a landlocked country (Pacific War 1879– 1884)

2. Causes of Climate Change (world) ¿ What is Climate Change ? “Climate Change refers to changes in climate characteristics, including temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind and severe weather events over long term periods. ” “Global Warming refers to the overall warming of the planet, based on average temperature over the entire surface of the Earth. ” Source: UN CC Training platform

¿ What causes Climate Change ? Natural Climate Fluctuations (El Niño and La Niña)

¿ What causes Climate Change ? Anthropogenic Drivers of Climate Change (Increased concentration of greenhouse gases)

¿ What are the impacts of Climate Change ? Source: UN CC Training platform

3. Pachamama and Climate Change Bolivia is particularly vulnerable to Climate Change due to: ü High biodiversity and wide range of ecosystems. ü High percentage of indigenous communities (36 Ethnic Groups; poverty and inequality). ü More than half of the country is located in the Amazon (low lands), prone to flooding. ü Extreme weather conditions which lead to natural disasters. ü Concentration of tropical glaciers in the Altiplanic region.

National Protected Areas: National Park Natural Area (IM) National Park and Natural Area (IM) National Reserve Wild Life

36 Ethnic Groups

Multi Threat map: - Flood Drought Fire Erosion Freeze

Impacts of Climate Change in Bolivia: ü Food security ü Water scarcity ü Natural hazards ü Health problems ü Forest fires

Source: Proba-V Satellite, April 2014 Source: Proba-V Satellite, July 2015 Source: Proba-V Satellite, January 2016

During the last 40 years, 50% of Bolivian glaciers volume has been lost…the trend is to continue disappearing.

¿ What are the efforts of Bolivian Government with respect to Climate Change ? Under the presidency of Evo Morales, first indigenous president of the country, Bolivia has taken a leadership role in the global Climate Change negotiations (i. e. Conpenhagen, Cacun).

¿ What are the efforts of Bolivian Government with respect to Climate Change ? ü 2009, Plurinational Council on Climate Change ü 2009, Ministry of Environment and Water ü 2010, 1 st World People’s Conference on Climate Change and Defense of Life (WCCCDL) ü 2010, Mother Earth Law for Good Living ü 2015, 2 nd WCCCDL

The essence behind: ü Complementarity of rights, obligations and duties ü Land is not a merchandize ü Harmony ü Solidarity ü Historical responsibility ü Prevention priority ü Harmonic relationship ü Collective wellness ü Regeneration assurance ü Social and Climatic justice

The essence behind: However, the practice differs from the essence behind… ü Complementarity of rights, obligations and duties ü Land is not a merchandize ü Harmony ü Solidarity ü Historical responsibility ü Prevention priority ü Harmonic relationship ü Collective wellness ü Regeneration assurance ü Social and Climatic justice

350. 000 Ha/year = 320 m 2/person/year

Who is suffering the impact of Climate Change in most developing countries…

However, there are reasons for hope…

“Indigenous peoples will continue talking until achieving a real change. Our voice comes from far. Our voice is the voice of the mountains which are losing their white ponchos”

¡ Thanks for your attention ! ¡ Gracias por su atención !