Page 19 - IB December 2024

Climate Change Climate Change

global public better understand what’s happening both inside
lack of action, have significantly harmed the climate and and outside the Court during these historic oral hearings. It’s
environment? equally vital that people in the Pacific remain informed and
While any decision by the Court would be non-binding connected.
advice and unable to directly force wealthy nations into These hearings are important because, for the first time,
action to help struggling countries, it would be more than just the public gained insight into what nations are saying about
a powerful symbol, since it could serve as the basis for other climate change and their legal obligations. We’ve seen which
legal actions, including domestic lawsuits. countries are stepping up and which are trying to shirk their
The opinion is expected next year. responsibilities.
One standout initiative was the creation of the People’s
PISFCC in their own words Petition, an outcome document born from our People’s
Cynthia Houniuhi, PISFCC President (Solomon Islands) Assembly. It includes testimonies from 18 witnesses
“The oral submissions took a lot of teamwork, but I also worldwide, highlighting the lived realities of climate change
wanted to make sure it was personal. There was a lot of in their communities. This document must reach the judges,
pressure to do the movement justice and do it in a way that and we are working tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard.
the International Court could understand. After how many It’s been a true team effort. Partners, collaborators,
years we had this dream, and now that dream is a reality. and everyone involved have worked tirelessly to make this
‘Will they actually listen?’ campaign impactful.
I looked one of the judges in the eyes and I said to myself, Despite the stark weather, we’ve brought the Pacific spirit
‘This is it; you have their attention.’ here. Our Witness Stand initiative has been projected onto
And then I went for it. city streets and displayed on posters across the city centre
I remember I made sure to look at all the judges… and I and subways, amplifying the stories of our people to a wider
remember at one point, I actually felt that I was intimidating audience.”
them. I was challenging them. The dynamic shifted from when
I felt so small to feeling like I was not scared. Jason Gagame, PISFCC Photographer and Videographer
After I finished, I looked back, and I could see tears in (Solomon Islands)
Special Envoy Ralph Regenvanu’s eyes. Even an ICJ staff “It has been an incredible journey documenting the events
member came to me and whispered that they were so moved and relating the stories and on our media every day. I’ve
by the presentation. learned a lot from the other media organisations and the work
Later, I realised that there was a whole lot of shouting they do as well.
outside, and it made me very emotional walking out and For me, photography plays an important role in
seeing crowds standing in solidarity with the people that are communicating the key messages of the campaign itself,
arguing on their behalf, and man, I got emotional as well.” and it has been a very important aspect of the work that the
organisation has been doing over the years. It tells a huge
Belyndar Rikimani, PISFCC Awareness Chair (Solomon story.
Islands) It’s been incredible for me to be at these hearings and be
“We’ve managed to gather support from grassroots, part of this historic event that has unfolded over these past
national and international levels in so many ways that we two weeks.
couldn’t have imagined. And here we are in The Hague. Over the last five years, we have all been supportive of this
There’s so much emotion! Coming here is very cause: the Pacific Island students, the citizens of the Pacific
overwhelming with all the media attention for the movement, Island nations, and my fellow youths in the Solomon Islands. I
feeling the love from so many people for the work we’ve been just want to make it clear that they have all been part of this
doing for the past five years, and appreciating all small things journey.
and the big things that have been happening. It wasn’t an easy job, but all these people have played a
At COP25, it was just me and Solomon [Yeo] with very little part in all of the processes that have unfolded so far.”
knowledge of what we were getting ourselves into. People
had such little faith in us back then, asking, ‘Why do these Vishal Prasad, PISFCC Director (Fiji Islands)
students from the Pacific have such an ambitious campaign?’ “The Pacific is at the ICJ!
“I’m very happy that we’ve managed to overcome all the Seeing the whole Pacific family show up has been the
criticisms and obstacles, reaching out to states, gathering strength that has carried us through the hearings. For all the
support from civil societies, and having the support for the youth from the Pacific, it has been an emotional moment to
movement from the public in general. be in the Great Hall of justice, finally after so many years of
I am truly grateful to be a part of making history, and for campaigning.
the next generation to learn about climate change and to see AO let’s Go!”
what, as young people coming from the Pacific, we can bring
to the world.” Reporting by Ben Wheeler

Sonia Jit, PISFCC Digital Media Lead (Fiji Islands)
“I have been teaming up and strategising ways to help the
Islands Business, December 2024 19