It’s Getting Hot In Here

And the Conference of the Parties begins…..

Last year, in Bali Indonesia, the nations of the world agreed to reach an agreement by 2009 to tackle climate change. By December 15th 2009, in Copenhagen Denmark, governments are expected to reach an agreement that  will holistically tackle not only the issues of emissions, but also the impacts to those most vulnerable. This coming Monday, in Poznan, Poland, the UN will meet again to advance the Bali Action Plan.

The Bali roadmap, which has become more like a treasure-hunt, brings many daunting challenges to Poznan. From tackling issues of deforestation in tropical forest, to insurance schemes to help countries recover from extreme climate change-related losses, Poznan is happening in the midst of global financial crisis that many countries are already using as a scape-goat for dumping climate goals and continuing the decades of inaction and unsustainable economic policies. The stakes are high, yet ideas are not flowing. The developed countries’ proposals on technology transfer and   finance for mitigation and adaptation are a carbon copy of the failed regulation mechanisms of modern history, yet somehow they are asking developing nations to take bold steps in order to achieve an agreement.

For something meaningful to come out of the agreement next year, Poznan must set a new path.

Rather that trying fixing our future on new-yet-dirty of the same fuels that have gotten us in trouble, we need a vision of a world where well-being is not coupled with greenhouse gases. There will be over 500 young people in Poznan, and they have been organizing for months. Over this weekend they will come together at Conference of Youth to finish their strategy, and over the next two weeks youth from across the planet will be contributing to itsgettinghotinhere.org, giving their perspective on the process and their suggestions for fixing the planet we will inherit. You can also contribute with your message by sharing your views with COP14 youth messaging team

In December of 2006, hundreds of young people converged in Nairobi, Kenya for the annual climate negotiations, COP12. We came with high hopes, but despite being based in a city adversely impacted by climate change, the plight of the African continent was overlooked, and the diplomats accomplished very little. As everyone packed their bags for trips into Masai Mara, the conference became dubbed by climate justice activists as “the climate safari.”

But many of us youth did not run off immediately, because we had met some incredible youth from the Kibera slums, one of the largest slums in the world, and they had graciously offered to take us on a tour of their community. We were shown around their homes and our eyes were opened to the realities of poverty – a world without running water or consistent electricity, where on average people made less than $1 a day, and that is now home to many Sudanese refugees. But we were also exposed to one of the most incredible organizations I have ever met – the Kibera Community Youth Project (KYCP).

This organization embodies what our movement is about: empowering young people to emerge as agents of change, taking action within their communities for the improvement of all. They train young people to assemble solar panels and distribute them around the community, allowing people to operate appliances even if their electricity is cut-off. And the panels provide a self-sustaining source of income for the organizations’ other programs. They have encouraged young people to express themselves through creative channels, setting up recording studios for young local artists to record songs of social change. And they have used community theatre to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS in Kibera. KYCP is truly making a difference. And right now, as Nairobi is gripped with post-election violence, they need our help. Please read below an email from KCYP’s Director Fredrick Ouko, and help our brother and sisters in Kenya out by making a contribution at KYCP.net Continue reading ‘Kenyan Youth Take on Violence, Poverty, and Global Warming – Need a Little Support!’

February 16th, 2005 saw the Kyoto Protocol go into effect, with its ratification by Russia. When the United States rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, some feared that international climate actions would fail, but 36 countries are now working to reduce emissions under Kyoto (the most well known requirement of which is 5% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2012).

December, 2005 (almost two years ago) saw the launch of It’s Getting Hot In Here at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in Montreal, Canada. Although this was the 11th Conference of Parties meeting to discuss international action to address climate change, it was the first Meeting of Parties, where the countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol gathered to discuss how to meet its requirements and to begin looking at what happens after 2012.

December 3, 2005 saw the world’s first International Day of Climate Action. Scheduled to coincide with the Montreal negotiations, tens of thousands of people around the world took action to call for strong implementation of reduction mechanisms. As a part of the 30,000 person march to the Palais de Congres where the negotiations were taking place, I was stunned by the number of people involved. That conference was my first major experience with the climate movement, and then and there I became devoted to climate activism. Continue reading ‘Two Year Anniversary: From Montreal to Bali’

Two of our very own colleagues were recognized by the World Conservation Union for their perservering work on climate change today, International Women’s Day.

Rosa Kouri, National Director of the Sierra Youth Coalition and Virginie Lavallée-Picard, Organizer with SustainUS are among the prestigious slew of women recognized today. The recognition is extended to 23 women around the world who are working on the pressing issue of climate change.

Continue reading ‘International Women making International Change’

Although I was unable to make the journey to Nairobi this year, I did have the incredible pleasure of watching the clip of Rona Ambrose doing the notorious ‘its hot in here’ dance. I am sure anyone who witnessed that either directly or indirectly is wondering if, following Stephen Harpers cabinet shuffle, new environment minister John Baird will have similar moves. Continue reading ‘Musical Chairs’

My first blog for IGHIH! And it’s about time, because I have to admit I been registered for some time now… But no more excuses, I just have to share this with you.

Some of you, that were present in Nairobi, might have already seen it, but for others I’d like to show you the video the African youth, together with Solar Generation, has been working on in the autumn of 2006 and that has been presented at the CopMop2 Climate Conference in Nairobi. African youth from Kenya, Togo and Uganda have done a tremendous effort in pulling this video together. The video tells the story of the devastating impacts climate change already has on Africa, as told by young people, who are calling politicians to act for their future. The video also aims as a tool to raise awareness of climate change for young people in Africa (and beyond). Below you can find a short teaser of the video. The complete video (12 minutes) can be found on http://www.archive.org/details/SolarGenVideo
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/u-O5_JLC0tk" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZsIXNgcXRm0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Now that the UN Climate negotiations in Nairobi are over participants have had time to reflect and rethink what has happened and what still needs to happen. Of course the progress made in the negotiations does not come close to adequately addressing the magnitude and severity of our climate crisis. However, progress has been made and if we look past the (slow and convoluted) politics there are clear positive outcomes and reasons to remain optimistic. One of the outcomes that is particularly encouraging and exciting is the official launching of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change! Many individuals and organizations (particularly the Greenpeace Solar Generation team!) have been part of bringing this initiative together. Continue reading ‘African Youth taking Initiative on Climate Change!’

We all left the United Nations Climate Change 12th Conference of the Parties and 2nd Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol somewhat bewildered, slightly disappointed, and a little confused. Or at least I did.

Nairobi didn’t yield the same inspirational miracles that Montreal did, but we still left with work being accomplished. Countries agreed, negotiations ended on time, but a lot was put off to next year. Here’s an overview of what happened: Continue reading ‘What Came Out of Nairobi’

As part of our long-term strategy to bulid civilian and political leadership at home, the Canadian Youth Delegation issued its “Declaration of Demands at COP 12″ today, in Nairobi, Kenya. Recognizing that we are in this for the long haul, Canadian youth picked 3 things that would help move negotiations forward in a positive manner and also asked for a plan that will resonante with the public at home. This is the beginning – we know what we want, and now we will act on it – with your help.

Here is a copy of the text:

Youth Declaration of Demands at COP 12

Continue reading ‘Canadian Youth Demand more action at Climate Change Negotiation’

9:20pm : The COPMOP2 has adopted all decisions. The issues of voluntary commitments have been forwarded for futher consultation prior to COP13. All decisions adopted can be characterized as insignificant compromises. Russia accepted to move on without a decision on their proposal for commitments by non -Annex I parties in return for accepting Belarus into the ‘hot air’ club. The revision of the Kyoto will occur in 2008, and Parties missed the opportunity to improve the Protocol in Nairobi. For now, all the ‘climate tourist’ say good-bye from the Safari COP and will meet for yet another expensive meeting in Indonesia, perhaps for a Surf COP. Continue reading ‘Closing session… the count down’