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    How Swiss women won a landmark climate case for Europe

    en-gbApril 15, 2024

    Podcast Summary

    • Elderly Women's Historic Win for Climate Justice in Europe2500 elderly women took European government to court over climate crisis, won, inspiring collective action and recognizing human right to healthy environment

      A group of over 2,500 elderly women from Switzerland made history by taking their government to the European Court of Human Rights over the climate crisis and winning. Elizabeth Stern, one of the activists, shared her personal experience of witnessing the effects of climate change during her time in Zimbabwe. This landmark case, known as Clima Signorin, saw 16 out of 17 churches rule in favor of the women, recognizing climate protection as a human right. This ruling could pave the way for more decisive action on the climate crisis across Europe. The older women's fight for climate justice serves as an inspiration for everyone concerned about the environment. For Stern, her awakening to the issue came during her time as a cultural anthropologist in Zimbabwe, where she witnessed the impact of climate change on water sources. The Sleep Number smart bed advertisement, while seemingly unrelated, emphasizes the importance of individualized comfort and quality sleep. This takeaway highlights the power of collective action and the significance of recognizing the human right to a healthy environment.

    • Older activist women take Swiss govt to ECHR for climate actionDetermined older women, with the help of their lawyer and Greenpeace, took their case against Swiss govt to ECHR for climate action, leading to a groundbreaking judgment.

      A group of older activist women, Klima Senorin, successfully took their case against the Swiss government to the European Court of Human Rights, advocating for the government's responsibility to protect its population, particularly elderly women, during heat waves. With an average age of 73 and a history of activism, these women persevered through three dismissals from national courts before reaching the international stage. Their lawyer and Greenpeace played crucial roles in the process, which resulted in a groundbreaking judgment for climate action. The case highlights the importance of personal experience and determination in driving societal change, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

    • Older Women's Case Recognizes Climate Change as Human Rights IssueThe European Court of Human Rights acknowledged the need to address climate change's impact on human rights for the first time, as older women in Switzerland brought a case seeking action to reduce global temperature rise and protect their health from extreme heat.

      The European Court of Human Rights, which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights, has for the first time acknowledged the need to address climate change and its impact on human rights. A group of older women in Switzerland brought a case to the court, arguing that they are disproportionately affected by heat waves and seeking action from the Swiss government to reduce global temperature rise. The women presented scientific evidence showing that older women are more vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, and shared their personal experiences of suffering from extreme heat. The court has yet to make a ruling on the case, but this marks a significant step forward in recognizing climate change as a human rights issue. The women's case highlights the urgent need for governments to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

    • Swiss Elderly Women Win Human Rights Case Against Government's Climate InactionGovernments must take stronger, more transparent climate action to protect human rights and set a precedent for future cases.

      The Swiss government was taken to court by elderly women arguing that their health was being harmed by the government's inadequate response to climate change. The government maintained it was doing enough, but the European Court of Human Rights disagreed, ruling that the women were victims and the government's climate policies were insufficient. The court emphasized the need for stronger, more transparent climate action from the government and set a precedent for future climate-related cases. The decision was almost unanimous among the judges, with one dissenting opinion from a UK judge. The women's argument, that they were being affected by the climate crisis just like everyone else, was a powerful one that resonated beyond their specific case. This case highlights the growing recognition of the human rights implications of climate change and the importance of holding governments accountable for their climate actions.

    • Swiss women's climate case sets precedent for governments' responsibilityThe Swiss women's case at the European Court of Human Rights highlights the impact of climate change on human rights and governments' duty to act.

      While a dissenting opinion was issued in a Swiss climate case at the European Court of Human Rights, the majority of the judges ruled in favor of the Swiss women, stating that governments must take more action to protect human rights by reducing emissions. However, two other climate cases, one from a French town mayor and another from a group of young Portuguese people, were dismissed due to procedural issues. The Swiss women's case is significant as it sets a precedent for human rights being impacted by climate change and governments' responsibility to address it. Despite the disappointing outcomes of the other cases, the Swiss women's victory is a step forward in using the legal system to tackle the climate crisis.

    • Older generation's climate victory for future generationsEuropean court ruling inspires governments to prioritize climate action, older generation's efforts benefit future generations, unusual occurrences hint at AI-human collision, companies offer affordable deals during inflation

      The older generation's legal victory in climate policy wasn't just for their benefit, but for the future generations as well. They acknowledged that they may not be around to witness the fruits of their labor, but their actions were driven by the scientific necessity to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. This decision could inspire other European governments to follow suit and prioritize climate action. Additionally, there are various deals and offers from companies like Olive and June, offering affordable manicure kits, and Mint Mobile, lowering their prices during inflation. Meanwhile, strange occurrences have been happening around the world, hinting at a collision between people and artificial intelligence, as explored in The Guardian's new podcast series, "Black Box." As for the Swiss government, they will need to take significant steps to align with the court's ruling on climate policy, but the exact measures remain to be determined.

    • Swiss court rules climate inaction is a human rights violationGovernments across Europe are expected to increase climate targets and be transparent about progress following Swiss court ruling. Activists should put pressure on their governments to take climate change seriously and meet targets, potentially returning to court if necessary.

      The Swiss court ruling that climate change inaction is a breach of human rights sets a significant precedent for other European countries facing similar lawsuits. Governments across Europe are now expected to increase their climate targets and be more transparent about their progress. This ruling serves as a call to action for activists to put pressure on their own governments to take climate change seriously and meet targets. Individuals should find ways to complain against their governments, work in groups, and stay active in their communities. The hope is that governments will respond to this ruling with action, but if not, activists may need to return to court to enforce the rulings. This ruling also serves as inspiration for activists around the world who are fighting for climate action in their own countries.

    • Flexibility in Personal and Professional Lives and Climate JusticeFlexibility is essential in personal and professional life, from insurance coverage to starting a business or transitioning jobs. Support climate justice by considering flexible options and ethical manufacturing practices when making purchases.

      Flexibility is a valuable asset, whether it's in our personal lives, such as through yoga or insurance coverage, or in our professional lives, like when starting a business or transitioning jobs. Elizabeth Stern and Isabella Kaminsky discussed the importance of climate justice and the need for flexibility in addressing its challenges. For those seeking flexible and budget-friendly insurance coverage, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans offer options for medical, vision, dental, and more. This Mother's Day, consider giving back to the moms who have given us so much by ordering handmade bouquets, sweet treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts from 1800flowers.com/acast, with up to 40% off Mother's Day bestsellers. And for those planning their next trip, Quince offers high-quality essentials at affordable prices, with a commitment to safe and ethical manufacturing practices.

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    Rita Wong — flush

    Rita Wong — flush

    The word “flush” is a verb, as in an activity that we do umpteen times a day. It’s also an adjective that conveys abundance. Fittingly, Rita Wong’s poem “flush” offers a praise song to water’s expansive and unceasing presence in our lives — from our toilets to our teacups, from inside our bodies to outside our buildings, and from our soil to our skies. 

    Rita Wong is the author of several poetry collections, including monkeypuzzle (Press Gang, 1998), forage (Nightwood Editions, 2007), and undercurrent (Nightwood Editions, 2015). Wong is an associate professor at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

    Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

    We’re pleased to offer Rita Wong’s poem, and invite you to read Pádraig’s weekly Poetry Unbound Substack, read the Poetry Unbound book, or listen back to all our episodes.