By John Doyle, SustainUS Delegation Grassroots Coordinator
More than just being the lame duck, the US State Department has become a dead duck at this year’s UN Climate Negotiations in Poland. Contrary to past years, this year the US delegation has become the de facto outcasts of the conference: pleas are not directed to them, their statements are not repudiated, and even the press is ignoring them and focusing instead on the EU.
After the deplorable statement made Wednesday by an American negotiator encouraging 20% emissions cuts by 2050, far below what scientists say are necessary, the US youth have decided that we can not sit aside any longer. The American people did not vote in record numbers to be the laughing stock at some of the most important negotiations in the history of the world. We Power Voted for a new government that will engage with the international community on finding real solutions. Since our leaders are falling short, US youth are happy to fill their shoes.
This Friday, delegates from SustainUS, 350.org, EJCC, RAN, and Greenpeace will be extending invitations to government delegations from dozens of countries, developing and developed, to meet with us. We want to assure them that ‘the real US’ is ready to seek a bold, binding, equitable, and science-based agreement next year in Copenhagen. We will be extending this global engagement invitation to Senators John Kerry, Ben Cardin, and Amy Klobuchar, who will all be arriving in Poland next week. We have a long year ahead of us and there is no time to delay.
But, we need your help! SustainUS is launching a massive photo petition in honor of the International Day of Climate Action, December 6th, that will let international delegations know that the U.S. youth will be pressuring President-elect Obama and Congress for climate action NOW! In the next 24 hours:
1) Grab a camera your friends and family (or just yourself)
2) Make a sign that says “bold, equitable, binding, and science-based” to select the type of climate agreement you are ready for.
3) Feel free to draw a globe (or hold one) or do something that will give your picture an international vibe.
4) Send your photo to climatephotopetition@gmail.com
5) Get ready for a huge year in the run-up to Copenhagen!
When everyone sends their pictures in, we’ll be able to show other countries and our own that there is plenty of support for all four. Once all of your faces arrive in Poland, the U.S. will finally be properly represented!
BIG ups to everyone who has already sent your photo in. If you haven’t done it yet, there’s still time. We’ve already set up lots of meetings with delegations from developing countries and it’d be great to let them know there are lost of people stateside in the US supporting progressive climate policies!