At the Sydney Alliance Convention 2024, an event uniting diverse community organizations, local leaders, and advocates gathered to discuss pressing social issues, from housing and the cost of living to the critical need for climate action. Representing Hindus for Human Rights ANZ, Dr. Shanti Raman, a prominent advocate for child health and human rights, spoke about the unequal toll of climate change on vulnerable communities. In her remarks, she underscored how “the most vulnerable populations – women and children, people of colour, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds – are disproportionately affected by climate change,” sharing moving examples from her work in Sydney and internationally.

With an urgent call to take “GLOCAL” action—local and global at once—Dr. Raman urged community leaders and politicians to address the climate crisis with justice and inclusivity, reminding attendees of the importance of acting now for the future genreations

FULL TEXT OF DR. RAMAN’S SPEEECH

Vanakkam, Namaste. My name is Shanti Raman- I am a Professor of Child Health, Director of Community Paediatrics SWSLHD and Senior Clinical Advisor-Child and Family Health- NSW Health. But I am here today as the Chairperson of Hindus for Human Rights ANZ. Let me also acknowledge and pay respects to the Traditional Owners of the Lands where I live,work and play. Gadigal Country, Tharawal/ Darug/Gandangara and Camaraygal lands. I am here today to urge us all to work together to combat the climate crisis, locally and globally. Why am I so concerned about this issue? Because I know that the most vulnerable populations,by that I mean women and children, people of colour and those from culturally diverse backgrounds- are disproportionately affected by climate change. This is true globally and here in Sydney.

In my international work on child rights, I have heard from slum dwelling and street kids, who have described movingly the impacts on their lives from extreme weather like flooding. They have lost their homes overnight and been forced to live on pavements. I know that babies are being born prematurely, with low birth weight or even dying due to extreme heat conditions. I know that children are presenting to hospitals with mini epidemics of “thunderstorm” asthma.

Floods and drought can also cause a rise in infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies.Apart from the direct effects of climate change- young people are particularly at risk of ‘climate anxiety’. In my clinics in South Western Sydney, I can see the effects of climate change and sub-standard housing on children’s health/wellbeing. Children are living with mould, lack of safe play spaces, and have lack of access to nature. In my work I see a rise of respiratory and allergic conditions, rising obesity rates and rise in mental health concerns. So the environment and living conditions for children/YP are hugely important.

Bringing it home to me and our organisation Hindus for Human Rights: our vision is a world defined by lokasangraha (the universal common good) and our cultural values embody “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that the world is one family. This is why my community is taking action on these issues.

My call to action to all the community leaders and the politicians is- let’s unite to get decent action on climate change. We need to do this urgently ‘for the kids’. And let’s make our action GLOCAL (global and local at the same time)!

Thank you.