I am because you are
In several African languages we have the proverb “I am, because you are”. This means that your sense of being a human being is determined by the relationships you have with other people. This proverb has informed not only my thinking about human relationships, but also about nature and the environment. Unless we recognise that we must come together in communities, in rich and poor countries and cut across the range of divides that keep us apart, unless we recognise that we are all in this together, we will not be able to address the environmental challenges that we face and we certainly will not be able to address the problem of climate change.
Today we are at the cross roads. The future of our planet is at stake. The effects of climate change are being felt by millions of people across the world. We are at a time when civil society needs to be courageous and bold, peaceful and principled in coming together to ensure that we stop catastrophic climate change – the biggest challenge our planet has ever faced.
I am joining Greenpeace at a crucial time. We are several weeks away from the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen. There is still a lot to campaign for in the remaining weeks. Our world leaders have not acted with courage in the run up to the negotiations – they are sleep walking into a crisis and have to wake up and realise they have lost valuable time.
They are refusing to listen to the many scientists and economists who have given concrete evidence of the reality of climate change, but most importantly they are refusing to listen to their own citizens who are calling for urgent action. We want the voices of ordinary citizens to be heard once more. We have to stand up and say to the most powerful world leaders, if you can find trillions of dollars to bail out the banks, why can’t you find a fraction of that amount of money to bail out the environment and to bail out the poor?
Catastrophic climate change is not inevitable. We have an opportunity through our creativity and our activism to push for a green economy that creates sustainable jobs; we need to pursue an energy revolution, which seeks to promote the use of renewable energy such as wind and solar power and increased energy efficiency. If we are able to harness all of these opportunities we can address the issues of poverty, job creation and protecting the climate simultaneously. We need world leaders to act with courage to ensure that we have a fair, ambitious and binding treaty coming out of Copenhagen.
After several years working in the anti poverty movement, I have come to see how the struggle against poverty and the struggle against climate change are inextricably linked. My experience in working with the anti-apartheid and social justice movements has taught me that when humanity faces a major challenge, a major injustice, it is only when decent men and women are prepared to stand up and be counted that change actually occurs. I believe that Greenpeace is an organisation that can make a difference and help men and women around the world to find a voice, to stand up and create change.
Being asked to lead Greenpeace is one of the greatest privileges I can imagine. When I was first asked to consider taking over this role I was on day 19 of a 25 day hunger fast to protest against the government of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. I was feeling rather weak and wondered if I was really up to the challenge of such an important role. I also wondered whether it was too soon to leave the work I had become so involved in on behalf of the poor. When I later told my daughter she said that she would never talk to me again if I did not seriously consider the offer. She also pointed out to me that Greenpeace has always worked for the poor, just in a different way. For her, Greenpeace and its supporters are the real activists, the real heroes who dedicate their lives to the struggle for climate justice. My daughter’s enthusiasm is the enthusiasm of the younger generation which will have to deal with the consequences of the decisions my generation is making now. Her enthusiasm gives me hope that we will be able to face the grave danger of climate change and come up with solutions which will preserve this planet for her and future generations.
I am deeply honoured to join Greenpeace as International Executive Director, especially at this point in time.
I am proud to be part of an organisation that is ready to stand up to power, to stop people in the streets, to master the science, to debate with the politicians, to use all peaceful means possible to create a green, peaceful and more equitable world. I am convinced that we can develop a sustainable future for this planet, but it needs all of us to get involved. I am incredibly honoured and excited and look forward to working with you all.
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Comments
Welcome and I guess Greenpeace should thank your daughter ;-)
Posted by: DanielMittler | November 17, 2009 5:20 PM
Greenpeace made an excellent choice with Kumi Naidoo, he brings a sense of faith, urgency and personal commitment that is much needed to avoid catastrophic climate change. As Dee Hock would say, "It's far too late and things are for too bad for pessimism." I look forward to seeing Greenpeace in action around Copenhagen in december, struggling to counter the current inaction of global leaders and push them towards change or exit.
Posted by: Philippe de Rougemont | November 18, 2009 12:21 AM
Kumi, you come at an incredibly important moment to lead us and I am inspired by your message of hope, of passion, of action. Count on me to be your supporter--and count on me to continue to be a GP supporter!
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne Moffat | November 18, 2009 3:44 AM
Congratulations Kumarin. I can think of no better person for the job. I wish you every success.
Posted by: Asokan Pather | November 18, 2009 7:49 AM
Bienvenido a una de las mejores organizaciones del MUNDO!
Posted by: Natalia Silva | November 20, 2009 9:12 PM
Welcome and thank you Kumarin, I wish you sincerely all the best!
Posted by: Elisa | November 21, 2009 6:10 AM
Congradulations Kumi and welcome to greenpeace. This is a cruicial time to join us with such catastrophic climate change on the verge. The need to push those global leaders into action will take strength and compasion. After reading your background I feel assured you are more than capable of such a challenge and one day hopefully the human race will thnak all of those who helped to save our planet.
:) welcome once again Kumi. xx
Posted by: rebecca | November 21, 2009 8:48 AM
Mr Kumi Naidoo,
May I say frankly that I am and all of us should be apposed to the very few oil and coal barons that are holding the worlds' population to ransom.
Your push for everyone to embrace the new green technology evolution is exactly (amongst a few other things) what needs to happen now.
Once again you have my full support.
Lincoln Coull
Concerned Global Citizen
Posted by: Lincoln Coull | November 21, 2009 9:54 AM
I appreciate that Greenpeace is on firm footage on climate change issue. As have been seen that arm race, global terrorism and vivid contrast among rich and poor people across the world undermining efforts against global climate change that nevertheless an issue calling urgent focus on the subject. If we have to see each other we have to accept each other on every social level globally not locally.
Posted by: Salman Ahmed | November 21, 2009 3:11 PM
well done,every one from their lives position
Posted by: Manuel M. Nieto R. | November 21, 2009 7:16 PM
Success, Kumarin, only success, are my wishes from the other side of the world, my cauntry, Argentina, are suffering the climate change now, but people is no responsable here. A cauntry with a great nature, like yours. I am very sad, but I have hope. Success Kumarin, from my poor place in this world, I m with you.
Posted by: Monica Castañeda | November 22, 2009 1:34 AM
I realy want to be a part of 'green peace world'.
Posted by: snezana | November 22, 2009 6:22 PM
What a beautiful testimony to both Kumi's Love, and the human dignity of those that have chosen this great man to lead them. Where else but Greenpeace does a true and faithful servant of our earth and our humanity, earn the right of passage to become Chief and greatest Warrior of the Rainbow on the planet. Congratulations Kumi, ...may you see the day soon, when all your hopes and dreams come true.
Posted by: Grateful Child | November 23, 2009 1:43 AM
congratulations Kimi, wishing u all the best and every success your way.
Posted by: Vaibhav Dugar | November 23, 2009 7:34 AM
Thank Kumi, your message is hope.Brings enpowerment and actions arround the world.
Posted by: patricia leon | November 23, 2009 6:19 PM
Welcome to your new assignment. The credit goes to your daughter. Please let me know about up coming U.N. summit. How could make a to attend the summit?
Allen Karim, NY
Posted by: Allen Karim | November 24, 2009 1:39 AM
Welcome to GP, I too am inspired by your words. Wish you the best of luck.
Posted by: Inan | November 24, 2009 9:51 AM
Thank you for taking on such a challenge. It sounds like you are the right man for the job and your daughter might be as well! I wish you lots of success and stand beside you in your challenges. I too wish to protect the earth for future generations as well as help the less fortunate in the world. All the best,
Debbie
Montreal, Canada
Posted by: Debbie | November 25, 2009 10:30 PM
CONGRATS Kumi.I have hope in you. lets work together.
Posted by: Harry kofi Arkhurst | November 27, 2009 9:09 PM
It is the time for change. The planet earth cries out from all corners for relief. The naysayers are entrenched and must be dug out and exposed to the light of truth; it is their earth, too that will collapse.
All the best in your and our endeavors and efforts ahead.
Posted by: Dennis Brown | November 29, 2009 9:31 PM
Dear Mr Naidoo, I am very grateful that people like you are so committed to change the mindless and irresponsible behaviour of several industries around the world. I wish you strenght and always good conditions to fulfill your new challenge. My very best wishes, Hartmut Rast, London
Posted by: Hartmut Rast | December 9, 2009 4:12 PM
Creo que es un muy buen trabajo el que haces y puedes contar conmigo para cualquier tipo de apoyo y ayuda, es tiempo de unirnos para cambiar esto y dejar de pensar que siempre son los otros y nunca nosotros los que sufrimos las consecuencias de todo el daño que hemos causado al planeta...
Posted by: Viviana | December 14, 2009 1:55 PM