Several pilgrimages are currently taking place and are asking for climate justice at the Paris climate conference (COP 21) in December 2015.
Thousands of people around the world are marching towards Paris to ask global leaders a fair deal and to show solidarity with people affected by climate change. Their journey is bringing them to visit places touched by climate change, but also places that showcase examples of resistance and positive change. Along the way, they are mobilizing people in their cities and regions, asking them to join the call for climate justice and for a just and sustainable world. Although the symbolic destination is Paris for all the pilgrims, some of them are carrying out their walks in other continents.
Faith-based organizations are at the centre of this action, which is however open to people from all faiths and none. Everyone can take part in it and walk all the way to Paris, or just join the pilgrimages for some of its stretches: every step counts in this mass mobilization for climate justice.
People are mostly walking, but there are also groups taking up the challenge by bike. This is the case of the Pan Africa Cycling Caravan for Climate Justice: cyclists are setting off on a 6500km journey from Maputo to raise the voices of people at the forefront of a changing climate. The caravan will go through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania to Kenya. Along the way we’ll collect one million signatures and hope to plant one million trees.
Several CIDSE member organizations are involved in national coalitions leading the pilgrimages: notably Misereor in Germany, CAFOD in the UK, Cordaid in The Netherlands, FOCSIV in Italy, Bridderlech Deelen in Luxembourg, KOO in Austria and CCFD-Terre Solidaire in France.
Pilgrims are already on their way in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom including Scotland, Italy and in other Eastern/ central European countries.
Other pilgrims, from the UK , France and Austria, are getting ready to start their walks.
• You can find here some more information on the European pilgrimages and here a global map of pilgrimages taking place around the world.
• Through its social media channels, the CIDSE Campaign Change for the planet – Care for the people is providing a space for the pilgrims to tell their stories and make their voices heard.