Ohhh…it’s hot in here all right! The temperature is sky high in Bali as representatives from over 180 countries meet at the United Nations Climate Change conference. I thought that I would take a break in between meetings, side-events, and general bureaucratic chaos to reflect on my experience as a novice on the international climate change scene.
Coming to Bali as a first time youth delegate to a UN Climate Change meeting I knew that was going to be easy to get confused by a mountain of process and procedure. As a youth, finding your way at a UN meeting, let alone making a difference in the proceedings, is a daunting challenge. First of all, there is the shear number of people attending the meeting to contend with. The Bali meeting is being touted as the largest climate change conference ever, with over 10,000 expected to pass through the doors as delegates, members of the press, NGO leaders, and many other research and industry representatives. If the crowds of people lining up at the security check points doesn’t get you down, perhaps the huge stacks of paper (delegates are encouraged to recycle or at least hold on to their hefty agenda packages) or awkward UN acronyms will (ie. SBSTA, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice….try saying that ten times fast!).
However, with the support of a growing global climate change youth movement, lack of experience certainly does not determine your ability to create positive change.
By working together, youth are getting the attention of decision makers in Bali.
Just two days into the conference the Canadian Youth Delegation secured a meeting with the official Canadian government delegation, laying the groundwork for a future tête-à-tête with Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, when he arrives later in the conference for the high-level segment (where the big decisions are made).
The ties between global youth involved in climate change are also increasing.
Youth from around the world are collaborating and using their combined talents in Bali to produce daily actions that are sending a strong message to delegates that youth demand action on climate change and need a ‘Bali Breakthrough’. International youth are working together to create partnerships that will last beyond this fleeting two-week moment in Indonesia.
I’ve learned first hand in Bali that the beauty of the global climate movement is that it’s supportive, creative, and full of passionate young people working collaboratively towards the same goal, the timely mitigation of climate change. So there might be a bit of a learning curve when you first get involved, but after two days at the UN Climate Change meeting it is clear to me that there is a place for all youth in this action against climate change.
For all those unsure about putting your foot in the water……Get involved! You will be well supported by your peers and there is still so much to be accomplished.
Got to run – time for the next Fossil of the Day award presentation.
Cheers from Bali!
I just posted an “on the spot report” from Bali. It’s the kind of view that you are not likely to see reported in the mainstream media outlets.
http://lougold.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-view-from-b ali-my-good-friend.html
Now here it is in the blogosphere.