Human rights charity, Oxfam, have launched a series of short films collectively titled ‘Sisters on the Planet'. Each film follows one of four women who offer their perspective on climate change from separate corners of the globe. Muriel's story follows a Brazilian Environmental Minister on her passionate endeavours to get all people to take responsibility for the devastating effects climate change is having across the globe.Sahena's story follows a woman from Bangladesh who is leading efforts in her community to deal with the monsoon rains, which are getting more unpredictable every year.
Melissa's story is about a British journalist turned primary school teacher who is educating children on what's really happening with our changing climate, empowering them to voice their concerns and take action.
Martina's story follows a mother from Uganda with her struggle to feed her children because of the increasingly unreliable weather patterns. "The climate is so unpredictable now. If the rains do come they can be destructive. Last year we had bad floods here that destroyed our crops," her voice dubbed over a shot of the cracked desert ground she is walking on. "Some people in the village are being accused of putting a curse on the rain. But is it really the people here who are damaging the rain patterns and climate?"
And here lies the unavoidable reality of our global environmental dilemma - the poor people are suffering from the actions of the rich. Watching these films it's hard to avoid the reality that climate change is effecting poor women and children in the developing countries more than any one else. It may just be up to the natural nurturing prowess of the women of the world to rally compassion amongst non-believers and non-doers if we have a chance at turning these harsh realities around.
You can order your DVD copy of these films by visiting the Oxfam website. The pack provides a list of pledges that you can make to join others across the globe in tackling climate change.
