Pune : Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice Plans Local Actions Across the Globe

On May 13, 2023, Warrior Moms, mothers and our allies from around the globe will join together in solidarity to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable world for generations now and to come. Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice is made up of mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, grand moms, and their allies.  We welcome all who can join us as we refuse to look away from the climate crisis; we refuse to give up; and we will do everything we can to ensure a liveable planet and bring Clean Air for all the world’s children.

Locally, in India, Mothers’ Rebellion took place today on Saturday, May 13 at PMC Municipal Ground, Pashan, Pune from 8 am-10 am. Actions will take place on the same day also in Australia, Finland, Germany, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Uganda, U.S.A., Zambia and Zimbabwe.  These actions will coincide with Mother’s Day, a celebration and honoring of motherhood and maternal bonds.  Key to Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice is the recognition that all of us are connected to Mother Earth and it is up to us to create the necessary changes to keep our planet healthy so that all its inhabitants can thrive.

The year 2022 was the 6th warmest year on record for Mother Earth.  It brought severe flooding in Australia, China, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe; intense heat waves in India, Europe, Japan and southern South America; destructive cyclones in Madagascar and Malawi; erratic rainfall in southern Africa; and wildfires in western U.S.A. and storm surges in southern Florida. Mothers’ Rebellion is taking action now to draw attention to the climate crisis and to inspire others to join with us.

At 75 years, Raj Bali, a concerned grandmother has participated in most of the climate change protests in Pune. She is against tree cutting and wants the govt to make health of people top priority instead of supporting polluting business for profits. She is worried that children and grandchildren’s future are at stake due to pollution & climate crisis.

Reena Joseph, mom to a teenage daughter said, “Warrior Moms” itself is such a powerful term and what they do is even more powerful. Taking action for climate change so our kids get a better deal. More power to this group and request everyone to contribute in any small way possible through their time, skills and efforts.”

Sangeeta Vankhede, a mom said, “This movement has boosted my energy to contribute more at individual level and also to spread awareness in kids around me.” Her husband Siddharth also joined the mothers today. He shared, “Salute to Mothers who are volunteering to spread awareness to save Mother Earth and provide healthy environment for upcoming generations!”

Since 2022, Mothers’ Rebellion has been bearing witness in public spaces to remind people that we can and must respond to climate change now and that everyday people – not politicians – will make this happen.   Key to its mission is the importance of addressing climate justice, the principal that climate change disproportionately effects low-income communities and communities of color throughout the world, the people and places least responsible for our climate emergency.

Pune’s Warrior Mom Anuja Bali spoke about the lack of action on part of municipal corporation and limited awareness among citizens and how to bridge that gap. “City administration must gear up to provide the basic civic facilities. Since waste isn’t managed correctly, people are burning garbage and garden waste. That is a major source of air pollution. Since LPG is unaffordable, poor households are burning chulha that adds to the air pollution. Warrior Moms circulated #KnowYourRights SOPs for PMC and PCMC so that citizens can report violations causing air pollution. People do report but when no action is taken on their complaints, they feel unheard and ignored. Local administration needs to take prompt and strict actions on policy implementation and penalise the polluters.”

Even while we were talking, there was smoke in the background from fire in the heap of garbage in the corner of this PMC playground. One of moms shared that garbage fire has been going for a few days but no action has been taken. The playground was littered with broken glass, plastic, trash, cardboard, thermocol. When I asked the youth playing cricket, they said people come and drink every night. There is no electricity so no one dares to come to stop those miscreants.”

Educator and Mom Netra Kulkarni said, “Warrior Moms initiative made me realise that small steps do make a larger impact! The discussion of considering the air, water and Earth as our Mother and Life givers was pretty impactful!!”

Shruti Deshpande, mom to a tween and teen was happy to be part of today’s gathering. “Such exchange of thoughts should happen frequently with common aim to protect our environment, preserve nature and natural resources and most important to bring awareness in the next generation.”

Hema Chari, a Warrior Mom said, “Right now, climate change has an impact on everyone. No country or community is safe from the effects of climate change, and the burden will not be distributed fairly or equally among rich and poor, women and men, older and younger generations. Therefore, without consideration of climate justice, climate change policies by our governments are pointless.”

For more details about Warrior Moms Pune contact : Anuja Bali on [email protected]