At an early meeting of the Youth Caucus at COP13, someone mentioned the need to respect the UN process. We had to make sure that the demonstrations that were taking place didn’t mention disrespect for the UNFCCC.
It hadn’t really occurred to me before; I never saw a reason to not value the process by which the delegates were gathering, negotiating, and making decisions.
But after a full week of attending plenary sessions and contact groups I can see why the process can be frustrating.
I sat in a session about Carbon Capture and Storage last Thursday that exemplified the kind of frustration I think they were referring to. After 45 minutes of discussing how the discussion should take place, the facilitator noted that time was up and dismissed the meeting. Seriously? I was reasonably appalled at the productivity with which such an important part of the global conference was conducted.
I live on an island in the Florida Keys that is approximately one meter above sea level; a characteristic that puts us in a vulnerable position for the frequent hurricanes that rip through the Caribbean and also for climate change; a few inches of ocean level rising could inundate my home.
Not only that, but the island economy is based on the coral reef. We’ve already experienced extreme coral bleaching as the water warms around the island, impacting the livelihood of divers, fish collectors, the tourism industry, and fisherman. When it comes to protecting my home from climate change, there is no room for inefficiency. Action must be taken now if it is going to be saved from the affects of the warming global climate.
So, understandably, when I sit in the COP meetings and hear delegates wasting time, or worse, deliberately impeding the negotiations taking place, I do tend to lose respect for the process.
But we need to work with what we have right now, because we can’t lose time. We need to work with the current framework to come up with a powerful and effective method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for this and the following phase of the Kyoto protocol.
So this is a request, a plea, to delegates from all over the world to step it up. We have one more day of negotiations before the high level sessions begin on Wednesday. Let’s not waste time. It is imperative to step up and face the challenge of climate change with productivity.
In the discussions amongst youth delegates, what are thoughts on whether standard positions of developing countries on climate change may possibly leave them worse off?
http://endpovertyinsouthasia.worldbank.org/some-doubts-about-developing-countries-positions-climate-change
I remember the frustration. There seems to be a catch-22 at these conferences. On the one hand, it is crucial to align flawlessly with the UN process as a way to take full advantage of 2-weeks, but on the other hand the parameters of the conversation (that were defined well before the Bali conference) do not include room for meaningful dialog about some of the most pressing issues of climate change including climate justice, the shortfalls of a market-based solution, and the moral obligation to take action commensurate to scientific consensus. I do not have the answers but thought it might bring some comfort to let you know that I feel your frustration and from all the way on the other side of the globe, am sending lots of energy your way to help you sustain a balanced atmosphere in the UN halls between efficient progress with the tools at and a meaningful dialog about the larger issues beyond parts per million.
Selemat berkerjar. (I think that means good work in bahasa)
Josh
and make sure you don’t get so drowned in the process that your forget to try the nasi campur!
I appreciate the work done “with the system.” I especially all of y’all who have gone all the way to Bali for this. Thank you very much. It is necessary work.
I, too, am still working within the confines of the governmental, economic, and cultural systems of our times, so this question is just a broad question to all, not necessarily directed at you Kelley.
I wonder of the efficacy of respecting the system and always trying to work within it. I would include in that category nonviolent civil disobedience — that’s still working in ths system in a number of ways. I think of Audre Lorde’s comment: “The Master’s Tools will never dismantle the master’s house.”
be well,
Evan