This Young Solomon Islands Climate Activist Called On The ICJ To Protect The Rights Of Future Generations

As the International Court of Justice began hearings on the biggest case in its history linking climate change and human rights, Cynthia Houniuhi, a young woman climate activist from the Solomon Islands delivered a speech about how climate change is impacting her home and future generations.

Houniuhi is the president of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change that launched the campaign to call on the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on countries’ legal obligations to respond to climate change and protect the rights of current and future generations.

Speaking on the first day of the hearings on Monday, Dec. 2, 29-year-old Houniuhi spoke about how land is of the utmost value for her people.

“My people understand the continuous duty of past and present generations to protect the environment for future generations (Kiramo),” she said. “It is the adherence to this duty that enabled my people to live and thrive in harmony with our environment.”

However, she said that due to climate change, her people are unable to uphold the sacred contract.

“My people's land of Fanalei, is nearing a critical point, on the verge of being completely engulfed by rising seas. Without our land, our bodies and memories are severed from the fundamental relationships that define who we are,” she said.

She also spoke about how the threat is existential for future generations, as their future is reliant upon the decision-making of a handful of large-emitting countries that are responsible for climate change.

Over the two weeks, the ICJ will hear from more than 100 countries and organizations as it examines two questions related to climate change and human rights.

It will then issue a legal opinion on the issue, which is not binding but carries significant authority and legal weight.

You Might Also Be Interested In

After These Pacific Islands Students’ Work, The UN Asked The World’s Top Court To Examine Climate Change

The resolution was spearheaded by the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, after a group of students across the Pacific Islands launched a campaign.

AlmostKassy Cho

What Will Happen When The Sea Level Rises?

When the sea rises, low lying islands and coastal communities are in the most danger, with entire countries becoming submerged. Here’s why rising sea levels are a very real threat and why we need to act now.

AlmostKassy Cho

People In Fiji Are Being Forced To Leave Their Islands As Rising Sea Levels Swallow Their Lands

“We left our grandparents and parents behind. We left our big houses behind. We left the sea.”

AlmostKassy Cho