Indígenas exigen un papel en la cumbre de cambio climático de Cancún - Planeta CNN - CNNMéxico.com

Indígenas exigen un papel en la cumbre de cambio climático de Cancún - Planeta CNN - CNNMéxico.com

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Representatives of several Indian groups on Wednesday demanded the right to participate in discussions to combat climate change, in the context of the summit to be held in Cancun from 29 November to 10 December next.

Meeting at the National Indigenous Council on Climate Change, developed this week, leaders of ethnic-like Purépecha, the Zapotec and Totonac- announced an action plan to be presented at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the UN, to be attended as observers.

In a document entitled Declaration of Indigenous Peoples of Mexico on Climate Change, the groups are calling on all parties involved in this summit, especially the Mexican government to take them into account in making decisions.

The text in addition to demand- reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases and dependence on fossil fuels, greater respect for life forms and indigenous development models, as well as recognition of the rights they have on their territories.

The declaration calls for leaving "the false solutions to climate change linked to market mechanisms," citing as an example mega wind power and hydropower, as well as carbon credits, nuclear power, biofuels and GM crops to begin without prior consultation indigenous groups.

The partnerships seek to exploit the COP 16 to establish itself as collective subjects of rights, which can make proposals to combat climate change.

Of the 107 million Mexicans, at least 12 million are indigenous, divided into 64 ethnic groups and often affected by conditions of poverty and marginalization.