Climate change, water, air, pollution, inequality, North-South relations, participatory democracy: these are just some of the themes addressed on the placards and banners carried during climate marches organised across Belgium.
Since 2 December, nearly 200,000 people, young and old, have braved the cold, wind and rain in Belgium to demand a more ambitious and fairer climate policy. These human waves are sending a strong and clear message: we are concerned, climate change is happening here and now! Citizens are determined to make their voices heard in order to bring about change. It is a peaceful movement, driven by a contagious energy that is spreading like wildfire. One thing is certain: inaction in the face of climate change is unacceptable! A collective frustration is growing in the hearts of citizens who are aware of both the destruction of our planet and the growing social divide.
Climate issues and their social consequences are making headlines in the international press, including the Belgian press. On 6 February, we read that the last five years had been the warmest on record since 1850. This is a chilling wake-up call, reminding us that every action counts and that together we can make a difference. And it shows. We are seeing a real network of local initiatives springing up around the world. In America, Africa, Asia and Europe, citizens are taking control of their future in a variety of ingenious ways. Here at Louvain Coopération, this strengthens our conviction that together, we can go further.
As an NGO, Louvain Coopération is also working to make its projects more sustainable by combining social and climate issues in the implementation of integrated projects. Our primary goal remains to work to increase the resilience of populations in the South, so that they can recover from shocks, whether economic or climatic, while contributing to the construction of a more ecologically sustainable world. We could give you countless examples, but instead we will let you discover how we are committed to a transition to sustainable agriculture in our various fields.