We have been gifted this beautiful world to use and enjoy. Not to plunder and pollute. Governments seem paralysed by inertia or denial of the disastrous effects of climate change, already evident in the Pacific.

But there are significant signs of hope, in this season of Spring. Not mainly from the older and supposedly wiser generation, but from young people, some still students, who can read the signs of the times. They are determined to make a difference - researching the subject, evaluating which sources are reliable, coming together in groups of thousands around the world to make their voices heard. We ignore them to our detriment.

I want to highlight three groups, originating elsewhere, but now working in our country - 350.org and Generation Z, who are organising Powershift - see below - and A Rocha - mostly young people giving their time and energy and enthusiasm to fighting against the blindness and inaction of governments and big business with regard to climate change.

A Rocha, the rock [of Christ], was founded 30 years ago in Portugal, as - literally - a grassroots movement, to care for creation. They build community by restoring ecosystems, with volunteers working at the local level, with schools and local councils. The Karioi Maunga in the Waikato is one such project. Some of their story was told at the recent conference in Wellington, ‘Christianity and the ecological crisis', with the themes of lament, hope, action. The conference was jointly organised by A Rocha and Caritas, two organisations with complementary and overlapping aims - a perfect fit. More on this conference later.

Powershift, born from the failure of Rio + 20, gives me hope. Australia held a Powershift in 2011, now it is our turn, including Pacifica young people. UNICEF is a supporter, as it did the nation-wide meetings of young people aged 13-25 before Rio + 20. Now these same young people, from 350.org and Generation Z, disgusted by the failure of their elders, will hold a hui in Auckland in December. 1000 young people will gather to share their vision of a better world. They want to make a difference. Watch this space! Or Google it. They have a very informative and creative web site, including a video of the Australian event.

Is this an opportunity for the rest of us to support them? Young people from the Pacific may find the expense too great. Our parish justice group is considering sponsoring one or more, as well as encouraging a young person from the parish to attend. Reporting back will involve us in the work required to move from vision to action. The registration is $90, bed and breakfast at a new university hostel $150 for 3 nights - less than a weekend sampling wine in the Wairarapa for those of us in employment.

The Lord helps those who help themselves. Prayer with action is the way forward. Tricia Kane.

• Tricia Kane is a grandmother and a retired librarian.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has used the opportunity at the Rio+20 conference in Rio de Janeiro to promote its Declaration of Environment and Climate, recently signed by MSG Leaders in Fiji.

Prime Minister of Fiji Voreqe Bainimarama also addressed the conference on the matter of climate change.

The sub-regional group comprises Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS of New Caledonia.

Speaking on behalf of the MSG, Vanuatu Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu used the Pacific Island side event, convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to urge potential donors and partners to support MSG's climate change initiatives.

The MSG covers a land area greater than 500,000 square kilometres and includes almost 2,000 islands, the flora and fauna of the Pacific region. It is also one of the world's most significant biodiversity areas - both terrestrial and marine.

In his presentation Prime Minister of Fiji Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted the measures implemented by government to combat climate change and also touched on the challenges facing Fiji as a 'Small Island Developing State or SIDS'.

"Recent global developments, such as the financial, fuel, and food crises have served to underscore this reality, particularly as we move forward together in facing the adverse impacts of climate change, climate variability, and rising sea levels. Our vulnerabilities have increased, whilst our capacity to cope has not", the Prime Minister said.

"As a small island nation, Fiji continues to face significant and mounting challenges, amongst other things, safe energy supplies; biodiversity; and disasters related to climate change".

He also called on "the world's most advanced nations" to assist small island nations in "addressing matters of environmental and economic development and security".

Source

• PACNEWS
• The Jet
• Image: Fiji Live

One sign of hope: UNICEF sponsored forums all over NZ asked young people of 15-24 years to describe 'The Future We Want'. The 6 main topics are surely what we all want:

• Equity
• A thriving natural environment
• Clean rivers and oceans
• Sustainable food
• Sustainable cities
• Fair trade

The young people's recommendations have been sent to the Government and New Zealand's delegates to Rio. After all, the young will inherit the mess we are leaving, and have a right to have their views listened to - and implemented.

These concerns fit well with the 7 priority themes identified for Rio plus 20:

• Water
• Sustainable agriculture
• Energy
• Green jobs
• Oceans
• Disasters
• Sustainable cities.

All of these themes are fleshed out to highlight the vital components within each that need to be addressed.

Another sign of hope, an amazing one, New Zealand, through Amy Adams, the Minister for Conservation, is championing a new global deal, initiated by concerned citizens in the US and a number of other countries, to end nearly $1 trillion dollars of taxpayer subsidies to big oil, coal and gas companies. If this money were to be switched instead to greener, more just development, it would literally save our planet. Please God this new plan to save the planet will have been included on the agenda for the Rio plus20 Earth Summit preparatory meeting in New York.

The results of the first Earth Summit may be ambiguous, but the global environment is certainly better than it might have been without them, and global awareness of environmental concerns has come to the forefront of our consciousness, even politicians!

The alternative social summit at Rio, the People's Summit, which includes NGOs, Jesuits and other groups working for justice in the fair distribution of the earth's resources, will be worth watching.

There will be more Jesuits - mainly from the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network (GIAN) on migration - at the official summit.

Mary-Ann Greaney from the Wellington Archdiocesan JPD will also be there.

What can we do? Pray confidently that the Holy Spirit will guide the deliberations at Rio plus 20

Kia kaha, e tangata!

To know more on Rio 20 we recommend the materials of CIDSE, the Third World Network and the EcoJesuit newsletter

Click here for CIDSE
Click her for Third World Network
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for Global Ignatian Advocacy Network (GIAN) on migration

Trica Kane is a grandmother and retired Librarian