Mr. John Kerry Dear Sir, As you represent the United States at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and lead efforts to commit to urgent climate action, please make saving Tibet's environment and stopping the humanitarian crisis in Tibet one of your top priorities. China's reckless and unchecked exploitation of Tibet's natural resources, through uncontrolled development, damming, logging and mining, is destroying the ecosystem in the whole region. The Chinese government is also using its environmental policy as a weapon of oppression –forcing Tibetan nomads off their lands and imperiling water supplies for nearly 2 billion people across Asia– silencing by force any Tibetan who speaks out. As you work with other world leaders to achieve a primary goal of the conference, which is "adapting to protect communities and natural habitats", Tibet cannot be forgotten within this task. Please, speak up for the people of Tibet and pressure the Chinese government to stop exploiting Tibet's environment. Thank you, [Signed] |
Oct.27 (DP.net).– China's reckless environmental policies are fueling a humanitarian crisis in Tibet and a climate catastrophe worldwide. Tibetans have been devoted stewards of their unique environment for centuries. Their experience protecting grasslands, rivers, forests and mountains would be a great help in saving Tibet's environment and contribute to the World's efforts to contain the ravages of climate change.
However, the Chinese Communist Party excludes Tibetans from environmental policy decisions. Even worse, Tibetans who speak out against the damming and diversion of rivers or rampant logging and mining are constantly being silenced and sentenced to long prison terms. Indeed, this China's destructive environmental policies imperil people far beyond Tibet.
It is a fact that six of the world's major rivers originate in Tibet. Nearly 2 billion people across Asia depend on Tibet's rivers for their water and irrigation. However, massive dams already in place –and dozens more set for construction– enable the Chinese government to turn life-sustaining water into a weapon against people in Tibet and throughout the region.
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