In August , Taproot Earth convened a movement governance assembly of more than frontline community leaders from 22 countries representing Black and Indigenous leaders who bear the impacts of the climate, economic, and political disasters.
Together, these leaders crafted a working statement on Global Climate Reparations rooted in Black Liberation and Indigenous land sovereignty:. Reparative action begins with those who benefit most from the historic and current systems of oppression.
It requires the abolition of debt, restitution for injustice and the establishment of accountable systems rooted in Black and Indigenous liberation for all oppressed people and future generations. This working statement is a testament to the vision and bold leadership the world needs, yet is often lacking, in governmental discourse. The movement governance assembly on Global Climate Reparations clearly showed that frontline communities have vision, leadership, and solutions that can renew our commitment to each other, and the planet, as we face deeper threats of climate disaster.
Yet, the COP remains disappointing, often foiled by US obstruction , oil and gas interests , and the global acceleration of authoritarianism which threatens the viability of democratic processes. While this is the primary public venue for charting our collective future, the frontlines continue to be ignored.
But we have a choice. The representatives and negotiations at COP could eschew the fossil fuel interest and Global North obstructionism and choose to embrace the opportunity and possibility to build a world where all peoples can live, rest and thrive β what Taproot Earth calls the Liberation Horizon. But the frontlines are clear: Climate reparations should be at the center of the climate finance conversation.
