I think it’s fair to say that the youth speech (known as an ‘intervention’ in UN-jargon) just rocked the LCA (Long-term Cooperative Action) plenary at the UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany.
The text of the speech is below. A video of the speech and the chair’s response will be uploaded here as soon as possible.
However, let’s be really clear about what this is and what it is not.
It is clear that by 2050 we need to totally decarbonise our society and our economy – and that will take a lot more than speeches in the stifling environment of the UN. To actually achieve the reduction, we need vibrant, energetic, distributed, local, grassroots action.
The UN process is currently not on track to achieve the ambitious agreement that we are calling for below. I won’t speculate on the likelihood of success – I imagine that there will be lots of comments on this topic, as it’s a huge debate within social movements currently. However, we need to be prepared, if they refuse to lead, to shut down the fossil fuel system ourselves.
This will ultimately be a people-driven transition to sustainability. But in the long run we will have to bring governments along with us too – resistant governments will hamper our ability to bring about solutions. This will be a people-led sustainability revolution, but needs to also be government-supported.
We are working hard here at COP to demonstrate the power of the youth movement, encouraging them to be supportive.
In the US in particular, the youth movement must push hard on their representatives in every congressional district. Yes, that Waxman bill came out yesterday, but as we say below, it’s not enough. Keep pushing for more – the next few months are crucial. If the US government locks in legislation with inadequate targets, it will be very difficult to shift them later.
2009 is the time for action. With this in mind, I would formally like to offer the following idea – that EVERY SINGLE YOUTH CLIMATE ACTIVIST either defers their university studies for six months or goes part-time, to dedicate their precious hours to activism and organising instead.
With our best efforts, I believe that we will win this one.
YOUTH INTERVENTION – AWG-LCA – 1)b)i)
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
My name is Kirsty, and I am 24.
I am one of the hundreds of millions of young people around the world who are anxious about our future.
We have read the science and we understand. We must release ourselves from ‘business as usual’ and take a momentus leap, grasping our sustainable future with both hands.
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To the developed countries – take this leap and put your targets on the table – minus 40% below 1990 levels by 2020; full decarbonization by 2050; and thestabilization at well below 350ppm. Anything less ambitious is not good enough.
The most reasonable proposals are from AOSIS and the LDCs – nations whose survival is not negotiable.
We commend the Maldives for their announcement that, at any cost, they will bring their nation to carbon neutrality within a decade. We need this is the sort of moral leadership from larger nations.
To the USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, the EU and New Zealand – frankly, your targets are, well, a little bit stupid. You’ve got only a few months to improve your positions, so start working harder.
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To developing countries: You too must make take on ambitious targets – we can’t solve climate change without you.
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Now, everybody, consider this next question carefully –
how old will you be in 2050?
I will be 66, hoping to retire after four decades of work overseeing the total decarbonisation of society. As youth, we commit to working with you now and over the next 40 years to achieve this transformation.
Intergenerational Equity is crucial, but we need more than that – we’re also the people who will implement your agreement. We ask all nations to support youth to be formally recognised in this capacity, within the text of the Copenhagen agreement.
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To conclude: I challenge each of you to come meet the youth here in Bonn and back home, to look us in the eye and tell us that you are confident that we still have a livable planet in 2050.
We need your guarantee, because in 2050, we will still be here.
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For more Bonn coverage on IGHIH (and not all policy!), click these links :
1. The pre-sessionals (Friday 27th)
2. AOSIS rocks it on mitigation targets (Saturday 28th)
3. USA is back – but still not good enough (Sunday 29th)
4. Today’s policy download (Monday 30th)
(having read Kirsty’s speech and been inspired)
Eoin O’Leary, 17, Ireland,
My pledge to the fight for our planet. My pledge to work for what years are given me, so that future generations might live the years due them in on healthy Earth. My pledge to working for the betterment of the entire future. My pledge to action. Who’s with us?