TIGblogs - Event - The UN Climate Change Conference - Poznan, Dec 08

Disappointment, inspiration; hope and fear

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST

At 4AM this morning, as I stood in line bleary-eyed, waiting for a cancelled flight and reading a sobering but beautiful collection of tiny Vonnegut essays, one piece, Requiem, struck a chord with me. An excerpt:

"The crucified planet Earth,
should it find a voice
and a sense of irony,
might now well say
of our abuse of it,
'Forgive them Father,
They know not what they do.'

The irony would be
that we know what
we are doing."

Now, as I ride the train through the hushed and snow-covered Adirondacks, making my way home on the shortest day of the year, this is on my mind as I reflect on the past weeks in Poland:

Disappointment, inspiration; hope and fear.

These four emotions riffed off each other throughout the conference for me: disappointment blindsiding hope, inspiration fueled by fear.

Somehow, even when I knew that Minister Prentice would never make a dramatic about-face in the plenary and declare progressive emissions targets for Canada, when I understood that the environment was far from Minister Renner's top priority, when I had heard diplomat after diplomat explain that Poznan was just a checkpoint, a formality, on the way to Copenhagen, I still felt that collapsing feeling inside me every time I heard the disharmony between the words of these world "leaders" and the urgency of the situation at hand.

The disheartening lack of commitment and leadership shown by Annex I countries, with Canada playing lead laggard fiddle, has helped to set the tone for negotiations over the year ahead, and it sounds like a discordant one. As the CMP was closing during the wee hours of the morning Friday night, an Indian negotiator said bitterly, after echoing many countries' disappointment over adaptation funding developments at the conference, "I think this shows us what we can expect for Copenhagen."

I desperately hope that it doesn't.

It cannot!

It must not.

We must ensure that 2009 brings an international climate agreement that will not allow for the melting of the Arctic sea ice sheet, entire nations being submerged, the displacement of millions of people, or the acceptance and perpetuation of the injustices behind the disproportionate distribution of the disastrous effects of climate change! And the world will not stand idly by while it happens - the most inspiring part of the conference was seeing how people from all over the globe and from all walks of life are doing everything they can to fight against climate change and fight for political climate action. The amazing team of young people that I had the honour of working with over the past two weeks has been so inspiring, and this inspiration, combined with fear, fills me with energy (kind of like in the dreams where you're about to die) to make sure that inspiration, justice, and hope are the notes that ring true through what is sure to be another emotional cacophony next year in Copenhagen. We know what we should be doing. Let's make sure there are enough of us.

"How Dare They Condemn Us?"

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:29:00 EST

The jet-lag is slowly wearing off, and life is gradually settling back to normal here at home, but I can't shake this sense of urgency. There is so much that needs to happen between now and Copenhagen in December 2009.

The outcome of the Poznan conference means we are far from the goals that had been set out for this point on the road to a new climate change agreement. There was very little progress from last year’s Bali conference. I cannot comprehend why the world’s wealthiest nations are so selfishly concerned about money and power that they are putting our planet and its citizens at such inordinate risk.

Thankfully we have 3 billion youth around the world to rally the troops. You, me, our friends and family, their children and grandchildren, will all be targeted by this year’s International Youth Delegation to help spread the message that survival is not negotiable, and we need to have a new agreement text in place by Copenhagen in order to ensure the safety and survival of the world’s peoples. Talk to your politicians, your mayors and councilors, your parents, your bosses, and your friends. Spread the message far and wide – there is no second chance, and as it stands now, we don’t have a back-up planet to move to if we really screw up.

During the final days of the conference, 15 youth were selected to present a speech at a ministerial luncheon. The speech below conveys our request more clearly than I ever could:

Look at your youth.
We are half of the world's population - three billion strong.

We stand together to say to those true leaders that have been driving forward the global solution - we support you and we will help you, you will be those leaders that history will remember.

To those that are waiting to take action or are standing still - history will forget you.

And to those who are actively holding us back, history will denounce you.

We want to believe in this process - but your actions, or rather inactions, are making it nearly impossible. But know this, young people are organized, we are building movements that transcend the boundaries that you fail to overcome.

We stand united with small islands states, with less developed nations, with indigenous peoples - with every underrepresented group. They have a right to survival. We will not accept failure.

Look at your youth.
Are we not your own children?

Why will you not hear our voice, even when we stand in front of you?

Are you so blinded not to see the madness of inaction and delay?

How can you expect us to stand by when you create a world not worth living in?

How dare you condemn us to an economy in ruins, a climate in chaos, a broken future?

Look at your youth. Look them in the eye.
Will you be the first leaders to take climate change seriously, or the last not to?

International Youth Climate Movement COP 14 Video

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:47:00 EST

International Youth Climate Movement COP 14 from CYD to Poznan on Vimeo

The International Youth Climate Movement at COP 14 Poznan, Poland. Young Citizens, leaders of tomorrow, take over the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland, urging the leaders of the world to take action on Climate Change. Photos by Robert van Waarden, Shadia Fayne Wood and David Wargert. For more information please visit http://www.youthclimate.org

Yvo da Bear Speach At High Level Opening at COP 14

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:42:00 EST

A tale of two meetings

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:51:00 EST

I'll post again with reflexions on the whole COP, but I just had a few thoughts I wanted to get down. The last few days were a whirlwind of emotions as we met with a parade of Canadian politicians, including Jim Prentice, federal minister of the environment, and Rob Renner, Alberta's environment minister.

Although these two meetings were very different from each other in many ways, what struck me about both of them was that these two people, the only ones in their governments specifically charged with protecting the environment, simply did not appear to have that principle as their top priority. I guess I knew that ministers don't always have extensive backgrounds in whichever portfolio they end up with, but I had never really thought about what that reality looks like.

Thinking about the meetings afterward, what I think made them so potent was that, although I've discussed climate issues so many times in so many fora, for the first time, I was discussing them with somebody who had the power to do something about them. While all past discussions I've had were essentially theoretical, these two had infinitely higher stakes. Probably it was for this reason that it was so frightening to hear what they, were saying - claiming a large chunk of the remaining "CO2 space" post-global emissions reductions for Alberta, focusing on nuclear and large hydro projects (not even mentioning wind power) for federal emissions reductions, and generally denying the necessity of reducing emissions from Annex I countries by 25-40% by 2020 (accepted as the necessary target to keep global warming below 2°C, beyond which disastrous tipping points are passed).

It's pretty scary.

The End, and the Beginning

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:56:00 EST

It has been an incredibly emotional and exhausting last few days here in Poznan. On Friday, the 14th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change concluded with very little progress.

Developing countries pleaded into the wee hours of the night for a more rigorous outcome on issues such as indigenous rights in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries, and the Adaptation Fund that raises money from climate-friendly development projects to fund adaptation measures in developing countries.

Unfortunately, the economic crisis prevailed the agendas of the wealthiest nations, and resulted in a terrible stubbornness in their position. They refused to make Adaptation Funding more accessible, transparent, and profitable for developing countries. Some bully countries, including Canada, also pushed for language that intently does not recognize rights of indigenous peoples, but rather protects individual person's rights - a sneaky loophole that means they can put caps on deforestation practices, even if they are livelihoods for some of the worlds poorest and most isolated communities.

The developed North also succeeded in ensuring that there was very little additional ambition in terms of mitigating climate change in the new text. In fact, the "new" text was hardly a word different from what was agreed upon in Bali last year. Translation: no progress. We are really in a bad situation now to achieve a global agreement next year in Copenhagen that will ensure we have a new "Kyoto Protocol" in place before the current one expires in 2012.

But I have hope. The youth were once again an incredible force at the conference. Everyone noticed our energy, expertise, and dedication to this soul-consuming challenge. In our debrief this weekend, despite our despair and deflation, we found the energy to start building the next movement for Copenhagen. We defined our victories, and laid out a roadmap to get us there. There are plans to mobilize thousands of youth around the world, make climate change a voting issue in the developed north, and plan our policy strategies and actions to drive our governments to take stronger action next year in Copenhagen. It's not a want, it's a must. A need. Survival is non-negotiable. Climate change really is a matter of life and death for some on this planet, and we must never lose sight of this fact.

"Green Jobs"

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:29:00 EST

“Green Jobs”

What does that even mean you might ask?

Green Jobs are any type of job that is seen to help elevate the effects of climate change on the environment. These could include a manufacturing plant that produces “greener” cars such as the new Chevrolet Volt to the mechanics who install and maintain wind turbines.

Why is this important?

Well for several reasons.

First and probably most importantly we have a climate crisis that needs to be sustained and dealt with immediately. The only way we can do this is to restructure the way we produce energy and also how we handle big industry.

Secondly we are being hit by the financial crisis across the globe. The Manufacturing sector in Canada is being hit the hardest. Great paying manufacturing jobs are being replaced with lower paying service type jobs. We need to work to transform our current operations into a “green” strategy. We can do this by transforming closing or closed manufacturing plants into plants that manufacture Wind Turbines or Solar Panels and focusing our Auto Industry on more fuel efficient and hopefully soon carbon-free models.

Can this idea even work?

The simple answer is Yes.

There are examples of countries such as Germany who have been working on this strategy. Now the US is even taking this direction under the Obama administration. President-elect Obama wants to invest $100 billion in ``green jobs``, which would create 1.4 million jobs. Why can`t we do something similar to that here in Canada. We are losing our Manufacturing base, we need some way to stabilize it. I strongly support and suggest we look closely at this strategy.

Canada wins the collosal fossil

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:19:00 EST

Just moments ago, Canada won the collosal fossil of the year award. This annual award is given to the country that has done the most throughout the entire negotiations to stall progress on climate change. Our lovely Nick Nadeau, dressed as a hideous dinosaur, eagerly accepted his prize of dishonour - an elephant carved from coal. After some roars of joy and stroking of his fossil fuel prize, we all joined in a congo line to the tunes of "I'm a Believer."

Losing Hope

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:03:00 EST

Today is the last day of COP14 and the final high-level segment is wrapping up. As I type, ministers are meeting to hammer out the final unresolved issues, which include a levy on Joint Implementation and Emissions Trading, the legal status of the Adaptation Fund, and the inclusion of carbon capture and storage in the Clean Development Mechanism. The slow progress of the negotiations has been disheartening because it seems that we have gotten nowhere in the past year. The current text is the same as the Bali text, down to the commas, and some would even suggest that there has been a shuffle backwards from Bali. The fault for lack of progress lies squarely with a number of key Annex I countries, notably Canada, Australia and Japan. These countries are also holding out against the range of emissions reductions needed, as identified by the IPCC, of 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020. How can we so easily waste an entire year when we have less than 10 years remaining to radically reduce emissions in order to avert irreversible tipping points? There is still time to rescue the negotiations here in Poznan, but I’m quickly losing hope. As I sit in plenary on this final day of COP14, the mood is serious and sombre. Nothing less than our survival is at stake.

Meeting with the Environment Minister

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:18:00 EST

Today the Canadian Youth Delegation had the amazing opportunity to meet with the Environment Minister of Canada the Honourable Jim Prentice. The meetings felt constructive as we outlined our position and challenged the Minister on his.

I say meetings of course as there were two of them. The first one felt very unsatisfying as we only had 20 minutes of the 45 we were promised by the Minister’s staff. Understandably he had to make it to the Plenary to talk. It was reassuring to have the Minister and his staff reschedule for later in the day.

The second meeting felt far more constructive, as we seem to convey our message more effectively. I felt however, that even with our points and how friendly and conversational the Minister was he still stuck to his points. It wasn’t till the end, when one of our delegates Thea Whitman spoke, when I think we saw a change in the Minister.

Mr. Prentice told us earlier that he had three daughters our age, and when Thea conveyed the importance of what we were hoping for I think we saw a slight change in Mr. Prentice. Even with differing views, we are all Canadians, who love our Country and its people. I want to say Mr. Prentice seems like an amazing person and I value his positions, but I still think Canada can and needs to do more. Hopefully we can see a change in Canada's position in the next few days, as we have done very little to help the negotiation process along thus far.

Who needs Bambi?

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:49:00 EST

When a meeting with the Alberta Environment Minister can give you a good cry? And also reduce your confidence in politicians to boot?

Yesterday we had a meeting with Alberta Environment Minister, which some of my CYD friends have already blogged about.

To be brief, here are some highlights:

Minister Renner claimed that Alberta is a leader in climate change policy in North America. HILARIOUS.

Minister Renner made claim to the remaining 20% of greenhouse emissions that will still exist, after the 80% decrease in emissions called for by 2050. Someone has to be making these emissions, he mentioned, implying this would and should be Alberta. Unfortunately, agricultural and other emissions comprise over 10% of emissions (and will continue to grow) leaving little for ol' Alberta to claim the remaining "carbon space." Forget about the others around the world who have a much greater right to emit, Alberta should be the ones making these emissions.

One of our delegates expressed concern of the health problems currently experienced by her and her family, living downstream from the tar sands in Alberta. The Minister said that there is no way to attribute these health effects to the tar sands as scientific studies show. From our delegate's perspective, there have been many concerns on the methodology of these studies, and also regardless of the study results, her and her family ARE experiencing these results.

This meeting was filled with general absurdity and high emotions. As soon as the meeting was closed, I buried my head into my friend's shoulder and just let 'er go. I was moved by the apparent disregard for the serious and genuine concerns of our youth delegates. I was alarmed at the rehearsed, machine-like responses, and at the complete deflection of our thoughts and concerns. I guess I should have known?

SURVIVAL

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:09:00 EST

During the COP this morning, after inspiring remarks by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN, the prime minister of Tuvalu, a tiny island nation which has been representing the alliance of small island states, (AOSIS, a negotiating bloc at this conference) made the following statement: "It is our belief that Tuvalu, as a nation, has a right to exist forever,"

Who could contest this? Many nations here agree, as more than 75 have signed on to a pledge created and circulated by the international youth here at the climate conference which reads:

I, the undersigned, commit my delegation to a global climate treaty that: safeguards the survival of all countries and peoples.

However, when countries do not acknowledge the necessity of keeping global warming below 2°C, and the associated emissions reductions that are necessary to ensure this, they are essentially disagreeing with this statement. Does Canada agree? We're still waiting on the pledge ... let's hope we hear some inspiring words in Minister Prentice's statement to the high-level sessions this afternoon!

Seeing Double

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:18:00 EST

Today, Canadian youth were granted not one, but two short meetings with the Canadian Minister of Environment, Jim Prentice. The originally-planned morning meeting was scheduled to last for 45 minutes, but was cut drastically short due to a requirement for him to attend the morning plenary (though you think they would have known this in advance?). Contrary to John Baird's tactics in Bali last year, Prentice endeavored - and followed through on his word - to meet with us again later in the day. Having just come out of this second meeting, I can't help but feel like once again, we didn't get a firm committed answer for any of our questions.

Prentice acknowledged the science guiding the need for remaining below a 2 degree C rise in global average temperature, but did not agree that the 25-40% emissions reductions should be based on the 1990 base year. This is startling and very concerning, as Canada's choice of a 2006 baseline results in only a 3% decrease from 1990 levels, and this will hardly get us to the targets to remain below 2 degrees C.

Prentice also argued that he was unaware of how Canada would be able to meet the range of emissions reductions based on 1990 levels, given our current industrial and consumer structure. He suggested that these emissions reductions would have to be consumer-driven, though how he expects every Canadian to change behaviour at the snap of a finger without any incentive or top-down signal is beyond me. Being employed in the field of social marketing, I can certainly tell you that behaviour change REQUIRES both disincentives to stop the wrong behaviour, and incentives to drive the behaviour change.

We followed up on Canada's lack of ambition in our second meeting. Prentice continually referred to our sources of electricity generation as being a major source of emissions, but failed ot recognize the role of natural gas and oil in driving up these emissions. He identified closing coal generated electricity providers as the only real mitigation measure, replacing these with nuclear and hydro-electric power generation. I'd argue that nuclear is hardly a "renewable" resource, and hydro of the scale he referred to would have such incredibly devastating impacts on the ecosystems, local and indigenous communities, and would create signficant emissions from plant decay from flooding. Where's the committment to new energy sources, wind and solar, and new fuel sources for vehicles? No mention.

We also picked on their lack of leadership, and their repeated "wait and see" approach to what the US will do come January, and what the other "major emittors" will put on the table, such as India and China. This is not leadership, as it is and will continue to lead to a stalemate. India and China are equally stubborn in waiting for a signal of leadership from the Industrialized countries before committing to reductions themselves. As I see it, and as almost every G77 +China country will state, they are entitled to develop to the same standards as we enjoy, and have a priority to invest their own funds into poverty eradication, health, and development before siphoning off funds for climate change. Developed countries must take the lead - they have well-established economies, low poverty rates, and strong health care systems that do not require significant additional funding. They have a historic responsibility to support - financially, and otherwise - less developed countries before ever expecting them to take on binding emissions.

Overall, I was encouraged by Prentice's openness and committment to hearing our concerns, and his patience in addressing our questions. However, I came away feeling as though Prentice may not fully acknowledge how significant and frightening this challenge is to our generation, nor does he fully admit to the responsibility he and his colleagues must bear to put right Canada's wrongs in this process. How will our generation be guaranteed well-paying sustainable employment if Canada is behind the times on green technology R D, production, and dissemination? Where will Northern communities go when they relocate their entire town because permafrost heaves or severe arctic storms have destroyed their infrastructure? What will happen to our economy if Canada is left behind in the race to the top of climate-friendly investment, financing, and technology?

But there is hope. I think he listened, and I think he took to heart our message. We'll know later this afternoon if he adjusts his speech to include any of our recommendations or demands. I also think we can look forward to - or at least push for - a transparent consultative process following Poznan, and leading toward Copenhagen on these issues. Time will tell. I'll keep you posted.

Canda, The Climate Change Villian

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:29:00 EST

Here is a column I wrote for one of Edmonton's alt-weeklies:

Canada, The Climate Change Villain
A DISPATCH FROM THE CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN POZNAN, POLAND
Published December 11, 2008 by Christel Hyshka in News • Comments (0)

It’s seven o’clock in the morning, and I am racing through the streets of Poznan, Poland, desperately balancing my desire for punctuality with the need to walk gingerly in order to minimize the discomfort and blister-induced wincing associated with putting a grad student into “business attire” for two straight weeks.

I’m in Poland as a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD) to the 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP14). CYD is a nonpartisan project of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.

That’s the long way of saying I’m a 23-year-old at a conference that aims to negotiate a new international climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

This morning I am scheduled to meet with Canada’s climate change ambassador, Michael Martin, at 7:30 a.m. Already I know this meeting is unlikely to directly impact Canadian negotiating position, but I still go because there’s a chance I will learn something I can use later on. Such is the nature of this beast.

In the universe of international climate change negotiations, influence and impact are difficult to assess. A range of actors are involved in the decision-making processes and much of the discussion happens behind closed doors. Although youth delegates make up only a minority of environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) participants, we have a key advantage here: we are free from the organizational interests and expectations that constrain the actions of everyone else. We can still speak honestly and from the heart.

We are also the people who will inherit the outcome of these negotiations. This is especially true for the young people here from the south where the impacts of global warming are already being felt.

Science overwhelmingly tells us that we need to stay as far below the two-degree warming mark as possible if we want to avoid dangerous climate change. This means that developed countries will need to reduce their emissions by 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Right now, there is no sign that we will have an agreement capable of doing that by the time the deadline next December rolls around. In order to meet that deadline, the negotiators here in Poznan must agree to give the working group chairs the mandate to produce draft legal text for the new agreement and, ideally, also agree to a target for all developed countries. So far, and thanks to countries like Canada, little progress has been made on these key issues.

Canada is regarded at the conference as one of the top climate villains. Not only has Canada not met its own greenhouse gas emission targets under the Kyoto agreement, but our country is also now working tirelessly to block progress on a new agreement. Canadian negotiators usually do this by supporting positions they know will be completely unacceptable to most other countries. For example, Canada is one of only a few developed countries that have refused to come forward with its own post-2012 emissions reduction target, and only a few days ago Environment Minister Jim Prentice was quoted in La Presse making the preposterous suggestion that Canada would encourage the much-maligned practice of using intensity-based targets instead of actual emissions reduction targets in the final agreement.

In the past, even as a relatively small country, Canada has consistently punched above its weight in the international arena. Canada’s decision to abandon this historical leadership role is a considerable blow to the urgent effort to mitigate global warming.

Although influence at these conferences isn’t always direct or clear, one thing I have learned from my experiences here is obvious: if we want to move Canadian negotiators, their politician bosses need to move first. On Wednesday, Minister Prentice will be arriving here in Poznan, and the Canadian Youth Delegation will be working hard to push him to adopt a more proactive role.

But it is clear that the real power needed for change comes from back home. It’s not too late for Canadians to let him know that we want our country to take action that we can actually be proud of on the international stage.

For more on the climate change conference, you can check out the Canadian Youth Delegation blog at http://www.tigblog.org/group/cydpoznan.

This is the first of two columns Edmonton student Christel Hyshka will file from Poznan.

Canadian Government Complains To UNFCCC To Remove "Canada's Dirty Secret" Photo Display of the Canadian Tar Sands

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:46:00 EST

Caught peddling oil sands at global warming negotiations, Minister denies Canada’s dirty secret

Youth respond to meeting with Alberta Environment Minister

Today, Canadian youth met Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner at the UN climate negotiations in Poznan, Poland, to engage in dialogue about Alberta’s environmental performance and to explore the province’s global warming strategy. The youth were astonished by the Minister’s lack of ambition when asked about Alberta’s commitment to preventing catastrophic global warming, and his denial of the destructive health and environmental effects of the Alberta bituminous oil sands.

Christel Hyshka, from Edmonton, said in response to the meeting, ‘‘I’m surprised that he accepted the 2 degree C upper limit of temperature change recommended by the scientific community, while he nonchalantly asserted Alberta’s right to have soaring greenhouse gas emissions. I’m shocked at his assumption that Alberta doesn’t have to pull its weight. As an Albertan, I find it frankly embarrassing that they are bringing this message to the international stage. Alberta has the potential to be a green energy leader and they could be doing so much better.”

The minister purportedly traveled to the climate conference as part of a short European tour to peddle the image of Alberta as an environmental leader. Ministers and delegates from around the world are gathered in Poznań to develop a new agreement to address global warming. ‘‘I can’t think of a more inappropriate place for Alberta to look for support,” says Canadian Youth Delegate Nicolas Nadeau, “it’s unbelievable that Minister Renner has the audacity to come to the climate change conference to promote the tar sands.’’

One young Canadian from Fort Smith, Heather Sayine-Crawford, said, “In our meeting, Minister Renner refused to acknowledge the evidence that toxins from the bituminous oil sands production are linked to increased prevalence of rare and fatal cancers amongst local residents, as well as significant adverse environmental impacts. We are preventing Minister Renner’s deceptively rosy view of the oil sands from being the only one seen by delegates”.

Today in Poznan, a showcase of the environmental damage caused by tar sands development, made of stunning large format photographs, was unveiled by the Canadian Youth Delegation. The display takes place in the main exhibition hallway next to the United Nations plenary rooms from Wednesday, December 10th till the end of the climate conference.

Youth delegates are available to speak about the display and their meeting with Minister Renner. Photographs of the meeting are available.

For more information contact:

In Poznan:
Rosa Kouri, Communications Team, (+48) 507 669 555, rosa.kouri@cydpoznan.org
Nicholas Nadeau, Communications Team, (+48) 510 735 407, Nicholas.nadeau@cydpoznan.org

The Canadian Youth Delegation is a non-partisan group of 26 young Canadians, seeking to engage Canadian youth to create positive change in the international climate policy process. It is a project of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. Find out more at www.cydpoznan.org.

International Youth Challenge Ministers to Lead at Ministerial Lunch

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:39:00 EST

December 11, 2008

Fifteen young people ask world leaders “look at your youth” and take action now.
Poznan, Poland – Fifteen young people spoke today at a formal lunch for Ministers and Heads of Delegations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. They pressured leaders such as United States Senator John Kerry, former Vice President Al Gore, and
environment ministers from around the world with pointed questions, demanding that actions be taken to ensure a safe future for the youth of the world. “How can you expect us to stand by when you create a world not worth living in,” asked Maayke Damen, a young person on the official Dutch delegation. “How dare you condemn us to an economy in ruins, a climate in chaos, a broken future?”

This statement helps to cap two weeks of intense lobbying, organizing, and pressuring delegates put on by the International Youth Delegation, a coalition of over 500 young people from 54 different countries who have gathered in Poznan. International youth recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and demand strong, equitable climate action from their elected officials. “I need to know whether these leaders will be the first to take climate change seriously, or the last not to,” said Casper ter Kuile, 21, a member of the UK Youth Delegation.

The youth statement at the ministerial meeting started with Damen, who gave the bulk of the speech, challenging leaders to “look at your youth” and ‘hear our voice” when they call for policy ensuring the survival of all countries and peoples. “We stand united with small
islands states, with less developed nations, with indigenous peoples – with every underrepresented group,” Damen added, “They have a right to survival.” These statements are concurrent with the specific policy asks of the International Youth Delegation, which include a
stabilization of CO2 levels in the atmosphere at 350ppm and a call for industrialized countries to peak their emissions by 2012.

“My leaders need to be able to look me in the eye when they condemn me to living in a broken future,” said ter Kuile, “It’s the least they can do.”

For more information please Contact:

Brianna Cayo Cotter, US Youth Delegation, +48 518 553 516
Liz McDowell, UK Youth Delegation, +48 517 484 4429

Don't Backtrack Now, EU!

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:16:00 EST

A large group of youth and environmentalists attending the UN climate negotiations in Poznan Poland woke up early this morning to take a train from Poznan to Warsaw for the day in support of a strong EU climate and energy package, which is vital to the final outcome of the negotiations in Poznan. The EU climate and energy package, to become law for the 27 EU member states by early next year, is currently being watered and EU countries are divided on how to adequately address both the climate crisis and the economic crisis.

While traveling across flat, rural Poland by train, I asked a few youth why they had decided to go to Warsaw for the day and what they hoped to get out of it. Many expressed deep concern that the EU, traditionally seen as a leader on climate change in the international arena, could now jeopardize the establishment of a deal in Copenhagen because of its backpedaling. However, many also explained that, while they don’t agree with the position of Poland and Germany, they understand the economic concerns. Poland, a former soviet state with a very troubled political and economic history, relies on high pollution coal for more than 90% of its electricity. Amidst the global financial crisis, there are serious concerns that a strong EU package which includes tough caps on carbon emissions would further harm Poland’s economy. Kasia, a youth from Poland who is attending the UN negotiations in Poznan and traveled with us to Poznan said, “I understand the economic concerns. The biggest problem is that our economy depends on coal. Many people work in the coal mines and the trade unions are really powerful. It’s hard to say what Poland should do. There is no simple answer to this crisis. But we need to start investing in a green economy to save both the climate and the economy.”

Upon arriving at the train station in Warsaw, we all gathered under an enormous Christmas tree to discuss the plan of action and finalize our demonstration materials, which included banners and signs saying “Yes Climate, No Coal” and “Tak dla Klimatu, Nie dla wegla.”

From there we walked for about 30 minutes through the streets of Warsaw to arrive at Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s House where he was meeting with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. A stage, loudspeakers and many media were waiting for us, as well as numerous polish security guards keeping watch. Ben Wikler, our charismatic and humerous organizer, quickly changed into his tuxedo behind one of the props and jumped on to the stage to welcome all in attendance. “We are here to save the EU package, which is necessary to save the UN climate negotiations, which, in turn, is necessary to save the planet,” he said. “We need Poland and Germany to support a strong EU climate change agreement.” There were over 45 different countries represented in the audience, a testament to enormous international support for an ambitious EU climate package and the serious long-term international implications of the decisions made by Merkel and Tusk.

Numerous speakers then took the stage to address the devastating impacts of climate change and the urgent need for sustained leadership from the EU. Anna Keenan, a youth delegate from Australia, explained that today Angela Merkel must make the right decision. “Can you hear us, Chancellor Markel?” Anna bellowed. “This is the voice of youth!! If Chancellor Merkel sets weak targets, this gives an excuse to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to set weak targets, which in turn gives an excuse to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to set weak targets. Please do not water-down the EU package!“ Germany’s position has changed significantly since last year, when Angela Merkel lead the development of EU climate change plan for a reduction in emissions of 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. However, over the past year Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has suffered a serious financial blow and is now more concerned about immediate job losses than supporting deep emission reduction targets and tough environmental regulations.

There are critical factors needed for a strong EU climate package, the presenters explained, which include significant support to developing countries for adaptation and mitigation, as well as a target of 40% emissions reductions below 1990 levels by 2020. The demonstration was successful in communicating the fact that the world needs sustained EU leadership on the climate change file if we want any hope of an ambitious post 2012 agreement.

I can has mitigation targets?: New computer opens door to diplomacy

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST

So, I was eating semi-delicious COPcake (is it cheesecake? is that a raisin? what is this chocolaty substance?) outside the "Apollo Butterfly" room where I'd been waiting 30 minutes for a 45 minute meeting to start when someone asked me, "Is that the new MacBook?" I turned around and saw a youngish Japanese guy. I resisted doing the customary check-out of his conference badge (different colours represent different statuses - I'm yellow, for NGO, while it's pink for negotiating parties that you've got to look for if you want to talk to someone with power), and I told him, "Yes, it is," and, "no, the glare from the screen isn't so bad, really." After a minute of talking, I introduced myself, and found out that he's the negotiator for Japan on adaptation (read: pink badge). I told him up front that we were very upset to hear that Canada and Japan had been advocating for the 25-40% range of emissions reductions that was agreed on in Bali to be removed. We also discussed the sectoral approach to emissions reductions, which Japan has been strongly advocating, and I expressed concern that taking a bottom-up approach to reduction targets (rather than deciding on a total reduction for all parties and then dividing it up) might not result in strong enough action. I also tried to get him to spill the beans on when Japan would release their mitigation targets, but to no avail. We talked about adaptation funding a bit, and, of course, the weather. I was pretty surprised at how easy it was to talk to him, although I guess it's unlikely that what we discussed will have a major impact on Japan's international climate policy. After 15 minutes or so, he suddenly realized that he was late for a meeting (or he was just being polite). Maybe that's why my meeting never started - the chair was networking with youth delegates?

Wonders of Poznan

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:35:00 EST

As an aside to the craziness of the climate change negotiations taking place in Poznan, I took a day over the weekend to explore the actual town, which I have managed to give little attention to over the past week in my UN conference tunnel vision.

Poznan is a beautiful city indeed! I had a perfect day casually taking in its sights and sounds, of children singing Christmas carols in the town square and of a grand, ornately decorated basilica. Poznan really is a city full of wonders. Let me present you with the evidence.

Exhibit A:

An ice sculpture in the town square, of a woman's body and below her, a representation of her womb with a detailed carving of a fetus floating within it! Amazing.

Exhibit B:

A quick bite at a chocolate cafe, serving all manners of liquid and solid foods containing chocolate. The hot chocolate was thick as mud (but more delicious). We all happily suffered from chocolate comas as a result.

Exhibit C:

A concert I stumbled upon, across the river in an area of town completely non-existent as far as I was concerned a few hours before. I sat in a cathedral listening to the seemingly holy sounds of violins and oboes, with the angelic chorus of a boys choir, singing Christmas songs to me in Polish and English. I was in pure delight for the entire length of the concert, and for that hour, was happily separated from the chaos of political negotiations, mitigation measures, and bad sandwiches.

La LNH et les changements climatiques

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:47:00 EST

Il est souvent plus difficile de capter l’attention en abordant la question des changements climatiques qu’en parlant de hockey. Il est vrai que les négociations sur les changements climatiques sont moins palpitantes qu’une bonne « game » de hockey, mais vous serriez surprit, les coups bas, surprises et rebondissements sont fréquents à l’ONU. En fait, ce qui arrive avec ces grandes rencontres internationales est que nous manquons de références, mais rassurez vous, des références ici, vous en aurez ! À bien des égards, de nombreux liens existent entre ce qui se passe dans la LNH et dans les négociations de l’ONU en cours à Poznan, Pologne. Vous ne me croyez pas, lisez ce qui suit.

Avant tout, il faut nous situer, nous sommes présentement en pleine série éliminatoire, les négociations devraient se finir le 12, mais on pourrait assister à une supplémentaire. En effet, tant qu’il n’y a pas de gagnant, les joueurs doivent rester sur la glace. Par gagnant, on entend bien sûr des ententes satisfaisantes entre les parties. Plus les négociations avancent et plus le temps de jeu des étoiles est important, le 10 novembre, les ministres arriveront, peu à peu, le quatrième trio devra laisser sa place!

Vous êtes déçu de la performance du Canadien de Montréal cette année ? Il est vrai que les attentes étaient élevées, tout comme on s’attendait que l’Union européenne soit empreinte de vision et porteuse d’espoir. Ces équipes ont plutôt fait preuve d’hésitation jusqu’à présent, est-ce que l’élection à venir d’Angéla Merkel y est pour quelque chose ? Ou bien le fait que le pays hôte de la conférence, la Pologne, tire environ 95% de son électricité du charbon ? C’est un peu comme marquer dans son propre but, n’est pas Ryan O’Byrne.

Bon, cette année le Lightning de Tampa Bay est bon dernier dans la Conférence de l’Est. Pas tellement reluisant comme fiche, 6 victoires en 26 chances. Le Canada n’est pas impressionnant à Poznan non plus, toutes catégories confondues, le Canada est considéré par le Réseau Action Climat comme le pays ayant le plus entravé les négociations jusqu’à maintenant. Alors que la science insiste sur l’importance des pays riches de diminuer leurs émissions de 25 à 40 % d’ici 2020, le Canada trébuche dans des explications incohérentes, la crise parlementaire nous laisse sans direction claire, qu’est-il arrivé à Barry Melrose, l’entraîneur-chef qui s’est fait montrer la porte ?

Les États-Unis n’ont toujours pas ratifié Kyoto, ils sont profonds dans la cave, et le règne Bush n’a rien amené de bon pour cette équipe. Mais, le nom d’Obama est sur toutes les lèvres ici à Poznan. On s’attend à un profond changement de la part des États-Unis dans les prochaines années. John Kerry viendra nous visiter demain, on voit finalement la lumière au bout du tunnel. Avez-vous entendu parler d’un certain québécois Derrick Brassard qui pourrait donner une nouvelle vie au Blue Jackets de Columbus ? L’environnement est certainement important pour Obama, mais plus que tout, cet homme à une vision claire du futur, les emploies ne sont plus dans les SUV, mais bien dans les technologies vertes. Saviez-vous que d’ici 2020, en Allemagne, plus de gens travailleront dans le secteur des énergies renouvelables que pour l’industrie automobile?

Peut-être comme moi, vous êtes surpris de voir Boston au premier rang cette année, de mon côté, j’ai été surpris de voir le leadership de l’Afrique du Sud dans les négociations. Alors que la plupart des négociateurs maîtrisent l’art du discours vide, le pays de Nelson Mandela a très tôt mis les cartes sur la table, clarifiant ses attentes et faisant preuve du leadership nécessaire pour prendre la première place. Ils poussent pour des efforts de réduction ambitieux, mais également pour que des sommes soient débloquées pour que les pays les plus démunis puissent faire face aux impacts des changements climatiques présents et futurs. Bref, leur position s’inscrit dans l’esprit du Protocole de Kyoto.

Une autre bonne équipe cette année est Nashville, ils ne sont pas en haut du classement, mais les Prédateurs surprennent. L’effort y est et ils doivent performer s’ils veulent survivre, avec une audience famélique comme la leur. Un groupe de pays connu sous le nom de l’AOSIS est très présent aux négociations et travaille avec acharnement pour freiner le réchauffement climatique. AOSIS vient de l’acronyme Alliance Of Small Island States, il comprend 43 membres dont Cuba, la Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, etc. Ces pays, comme les Prédateurs, sont dans une position de grande vulnérabilité. Les pays membres de l’AOSIS craignent une augmentation du niveau de la mer qui signifierait leur quasi-disparition. Saviez-vous que 145 millions de personnes vivent à moins d’un mètre du niveau de la mer?

Malgré ces liens légers et farfelus, la vraie grande différence le hockey et les changements climatiques est plus tragégique. Certainement, le hockey c’est sérieux, mais notre climat, c’est précieux, c’est ce qui permettra à nos enfants de bien vivre. Certainement le défi du siècle et notre chance de dire à nos petits enfants : « J’avais le choix, la technologie était disponible… j’ai eu le courage et j’ai pris les bonnes décisions ».

* Avec la collaboration de Rémy Marcotte

350 or Bust

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:14:00 EST

Since the release of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report, the 2°C target to prevent dangerous climate change has become largely accepted among major actors in the environmental movement. I know that personally, whenever I explain the importance of fighting climate change I have always cited this fact.

It is only in the last few days that I’ve realized that the two degree target is appallingly inadequate from an ethical standpoint.

A temperature rise of 2°C over pre-industrial levels indicates CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere of approx. 450 ppm - a level that effectively condemns small island developing states to extinction. Island nations are begging for urgent action. During last week’s negotiations, AOSIS and the LDCs called for stabilization levels of under 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon which would indicate a probable global temperature rise of no more than 1.5°C – numbers established by NASA’s previously suppressed Jim Hansen.

It is not that negotiators outright deny AOSIS’s predicament, they just steer the conversation elsewhere in a gross display of willful ignorance. The international climate agreement we are working towards will be neither equitable nor ethical if we assume the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable. As youth, our strength lies in our moral sway, and in the fact that we do not have to make ideological or moral compromises. We should be demanding no less than an agreement that ensures the survival of all states.

Exclusion within the Secretariat:
From my vague understanding, the UN Secretariat books the hotels for the official negotiating parties. During an informal discussion yesterday with an official delegate from a small island state, I learned that his delegation was assigned to a residence that has neither phone nor internet access – talk about disenfranchisement. While other official delegations are setting up impromptu meetings and making snap decisions, delegations representing some small island developing states are left in the dark, unable to effectively do what I see as the most important work at the conference – demanding targets that safeguard the world’s most vulnerable.

350 ppm CO2 is the safe upper limit

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST

This morning many Canadian youth joined international youth and member s of 350.org to stage an aerial photo in Freedom Square. The weather was cold, wet and dreary but more than 200 people lay down on the ground to form the shape of a goddess rising from an island, embracing the number 350. This figure represents the safe upper limit for atmospheric CO2. The most recent science indicates that a concentration of CO2 greater than350 ppm will lead to catastrophic, irrevocable climate change. Prior to the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was at approximately 275 ppm, but have since been steadily rising. Now at approximately 385 ppm, the concentration of CO2 is greater than at any time in the past 650,000. The science is clear. We need to radically reduce emissions today if we hope to avert the worst impacts of climate change. After shivering on the cold wet cement for about half an hour, smiling at the camera above us, we were enthused to be offered hot chocolate from members of 350.org and eager to discuss our hope that the image would be broadcast around the world to inspire the radical change necessary.

Canadian Youth Announce No Confidence in Current Climate Policy

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:13:00 EST

Canadian Youth Announce No Confidence in Current Climate Policy

December 4, 2008

(Poznan, Poland) Young Canadians attending the UNFCCC conference announced today that they have lost confidence in the Canadian government for being unable to effectively address climate change.

Members of the Canadian Youth Delegation delivered their message following the ‘Fossil of the Day’ mock award ceremony at the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. Canada swept the Fossil awards – a dubious distinction for the country considered to most obstruct or delay negotiations during the annual conference.

The youth delegates delivered their message holding Canadian flags and surrounding a banner that read: No Confidence. They will also release a companion video online conveying their message.

As the federal Conservative government faces a possible confidence vote on December 8 in Parliament, young Canadians attending the climate talks are demanding responsible direction from political leaders to deal with climate change. Recent polls show eighty-three per cent of Canadians want strong action on climate change.

“By failing to show leadership on this issue, failing to cooperate with the international community, and establishing policies that seem to ignore the science on climate change, young Canadians have lost faith that the current government can bring about the much needed change on this issue,” said Canadian youth delegate Rosa Kouri.

“Young Canadians have already lost confidence, the rest of the country needs to catch up,” continues Kouri. “Because our political system is so dysfunctional, we doubt that postponing an inevitable no confidence vote will solve our problems. The majority of Canadians are behind strong action on climate change and it’s time for Canadians to unite behind this issue.”

“There is a real sense of urgency among young Canadians to address this climate crisis now,” said delegate Nicolas Nadeau. “Our future is on the line and we need a government that fully understands this.”

The Canadian Youth Delegation is a non-partisan group of 26 young Canadians from across the country who have come together to share the voice of Canadian youth with policymakers and connect young people across Canada to the international community. The CYD seeks to engage Canadian youth to create positive change in the international climate policy process.

CYD in Poznan Live Chat!

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:13:00 EST

To all the delegates of the CYD in Poznan...

It was a great pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet with some of you during the Live Chat on 7 December. I am impressed to see all the energy with which you make changes in current policies. I hope that this conference was good for you, and once back home, you will continue to work and inspire young Canadians to follow your footsteps.

Good luck, and also, good trip back!

"This is not the Canada I know"

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:22:00 EST

"If you thought this week was intense, wait until next week," said one Canadian youth delegate to me on this Sunday as conference participants and delegates prepared for the second week of negotiations, which will certainly prove to be dramatic and emotional.

My feelings for the coming week are mixed. Never before have I been so firmly entrenched and committing 24 hours a day into one single issue. My frustrations resulted in a few tears earlier this week, with the idea that my country was not showing the same sense of urgency that I felt on the issue, and putting forth proposals that have led several countries and conference delegates to question Canada's overall commitment to the environment and its concern for those that will be most impacted by climate change in the global south.

Yet at the same time there is still that tiny glimmer of hope that all hands will be thrown into the air for an end of conference game changer that vaults Canada to become the leader and stop the climate rhetoric. I'm hoping and almost depending on it, for what has happened so far is not the Canada that I know.

The Canada that I know recognizes that taking leadership on the most critical issue facing humanity could launch the world into a safe and equitable future. The Canada that I know has aware and concerned residents, the majority of whom want its government to take action on climate change. The Canada I know recognizes the big picture when it comes to climate change, and how it will seriously affect our way of living, our economy, our precious natural resources, and the people around the world who may soon become climate refugees at the hands of floods, droughts, famines and natural disasters.

This is the Canada I know. I hope the Canada that is present here in Poznan will stop being a stranger to me, and become the country that we all know it is capability of being.