Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
How Dare They Condemn Us?
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:
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?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The End, and The Beginning
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.
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.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Seeing Double
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.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Canada and the Seedling
Just back from a special 1.5 hour debrief with the head negotiator for Canada's delegation again. This was an extra lengthy session to update us on where Prentice may be headed in negotiations next week. I liken it to this analogy:
If one were to give the Canadian negotiators a small plant to keep alive for one year, this would be the small plants' fate. First, Canada would burn the plant to see how much emissions it could potentially emit and sequester. Then, they would write a wordy, but completely vague report on the outcomes, analyzing means by which this could contribute 'meaningfully' to Canada's climate change plans. Following the report, they would use an international forum to "constructively discuss" how these results may be considered under national circumstances to help them wiggle out of taking on further committments under any climate change agreement. This would go on for many months, and there would likely involve further tests and further discussions, but in the end, Canada would wait to see how the US's little plant fared, and what proposal they put down before laying any concrete proposal on the table themselves. Meanwhile, Canada's little plant didn't last more than a few days. Does this make them monsters?
This is basically how the negotiations are going here in Poland. Lots of talk, lots of vague roundabout answers, lots of discussion, little action, no committments, no ambition. Russia and Japan love it. Countries that are underwater already, or soon-to-be, are less than thrilled. Canadian youth are becoming increasingly frustrated and discouraged. But we're not giving up. Pizza and Policy tonight should yeild some new enforced strategies for upping the ante in the coming week.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saying a lot about nothing
Yann Tierson's soundtrack for the movie Amelie is playing at the front desk of the hostel, and a few of us stragglers are staying back here this morning, recuperating from a long celebratory night out (or in some cases, commiserating), catching up on emails, thoughts, and letting the past week's events sink in. I chose to take the morning to reflect on how Canada's performance has been thus far, now that we are halfway through the conference.
But first, I'll summarize what last week was about. The first week of the meeting is always about information-sharing, political posturing, and discussing draft statements and reports. The main topics for discussion are the four pillars of the Bali Action Plan: adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and finance. The Bali Action Plan was decided last year in Bali as a framework to guide nations toward an agreement in Copenhagen on what would replace the Kyoto PRotocol upon its 2012 expiry date. It is absolutely critical to have the new agreement finalized by this time next year in order to ensure there is no implementation gap of the new agreement and the Kyoto Protocol, otherwise the ball of yarn begins to unravel and it becomes very difficult to get everyone back to the table.
Unfortunately, talks this week did not reveal much promise for staying on our strict timeline. Countries such as Canada, Japan, and Russia are deliberately calling for further discussion, speculation, and studies on issues that have already been studied and discussed to death. Perhaps this is an attempt to see what the new US government puts on the table, or perhaps more pessimistically, to throw off the whole process. Canada in particular has said absolutely nothing of merit in any of its statements. Our daily meetings talk in circles with no concrete information ever laid on the table. For example, yesterdays' debrief with the Canadian negotiatiors centred around what is called Aggregate Emissions Reductions Targets. This is a term used to describe a group of countries that each take on their own domestic reduction targets within a certain rannge such that the average emissions reductions fall within a pre-determined range for the group of countries.
We suggested that this may be an idea for Canada and the US, similar to what the EU has done. Our delegation totally missed the point, and began comparing us to Spain as an example of why this system doesn't work. According to Harper's appointed negotiators here in Poznan, Canada, as a country is remarkably like Spain. I mean, it's hot, we're cold. It's small, we're huge, and it has a similar population evenly distributed throughout, while ours is mostly concentrated in a few major cities separated by hundreds of kilometers (if not thousands). The similarities are uncanny!
During the official meetings, Canada rambled on in their statements with many thanks to other countries for their contributions, thanks to the Chairs for their efforts, and thanked some more, than blabbed on about nothing in particular, leaving listeners confused and perplexed as to what they really said. Contradictory to this earlier this week, they stated that their incredible emissions growth was the result of canada's cold climate and vast geography (both traits which I'm pretty sure haven't changed since ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2005). They even went so far as to suggest that Canada should get a break for the fact that they have tar sands operations that contribute greatly to their ghg emissions. Ha! That's right in line with Saudia Arabia requesting compensation for the cost of reducing emissions in their vast oil-producing economy! (Which is a long-standing laughing matter at these conferences among the vast majority of participants). Needless to say, Canada won all three places for Fossil of the Day on Thursday for their remarkably incoherent or incredulous statements that did nothing constructive toward the process.
Seeing the Canadians waffling about like this, dragging everyone down with them like a ball and chain, is driving us all a little nuts. I think this weekend we are all feeling a little less optimistic about the process and our ability to effect the change that is required to ensure a stable and safe climate for the future. Next week, the high-level ministers arrive, and the tone and urgency of the meeting usually picks up substantially, so we're changing our strategy slightly, in hopes of finding a stronger message and a louder means of getting our message through.
But first, I'll summarize what last week was about. The first week of the meeting is always about information-sharing, political posturing, and discussing draft statements and reports. The main topics for discussion are the four pillars of the Bali Action Plan: adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and finance. The Bali Action Plan was decided last year in Bali as a framework to guide nations toward an agreement in Copenhagen on what would replace the Kyoto PRotocol upon its 2012 expiry date. It is absolutely critical to have the new agreement finalized by this time next year in order to ensure there is no implementation gap of the new agreement and the Kyoto Protocol, otherwise the ball of yarn begins to unravel and it becomes very difficult to get everyone back to the table.
Unfortunately, talks this week did not reveal much promise for staying on our strict timeline. Countries such as Canada, Japan, and Russia are deliberately calling for further discussion, speculation, and studies on issues that have already been studied and discussed to death. Perhaps this is an attempt to see what the new US government puts on the table, or perhaps more pessimistically, to throw off the whole process. Canada in particular has said absolutely nothing of merit in any of its statements. Our daily meetings talk in circles with no concrete information ever laid on the table. For example, yesterdays' debrief with the Canadian negotiatiors centred around what is called Aggregate Emissions Reductions Targets. This is a term used to describe a group of countries that each take on their own domestic reduction targets within a certain rannge such that the average emissions reductions fall within a pre-determined range for the group of countries.
We suggested that this may be an idea for Canada and the US, similar to what the EU has done. Our delegation totally missed the point, and began comparing us to Spain as an example of why this system doesn't work. According to Harper's appointed negotiators here in Poznan, Canada, as a country is remarkably like Spain. I mean, it's hot, we're cold. It's small, we're huge, and it has a similar population evenly distributed throughout, while ours is mostly concentrated in a few major cities separated by hundreds of kilometers (if not thousands). The similarities are uncanny!
During the official meetings, Canada rambled on in their statements with many thanks to other countries for their contributions, thanks to the Chairs for their efforts, and thanked some more, than blabbed on about nothing in particular, leaving listeners confused and perplexed as to what they really said. Contradictory to this earlier this week, they stated that their incredible emissions growth was the result of canada's cold climate and vast geography (both traits which I'm pretty sure haven't changed since ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2005). They even went so far as to suggest that Canada should get a break for the fact that they have tar sands operations that contribute greatly to their ghg emissions. Ha! That's right in line with Saudia Arabia requesting compensation for the cost of reducing emissions in their vast oil-producing economy! (Which is a long-standing laughing matter at these conferences among the vast majority of participants). Needless to say, Canada won all three places for Fossil of the Day on Thursday for their remarkably incoherent or incredulous statements that did nothing constructive toward the process.
Seeing the Canadians waffling about like this, dragging everyone down with them like a ball and chain, is driving us all a little nuts. I think this weekend we are all feeling a little less optimistic about the process and our ability to effect the change that is required to ensure a stable and safe climate for the future. Next week, the high-level ministers arrive, and the tone and urgency of the meeting usually picks up substantially, so we're changing our strategy slightly, in hopes of finding a stronger message and a louder means of getting our message through.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
CYD meets the Canadian Delegation
Today, the Canadian Youth Delegation met with the official Canadian government delegation to spark discussion on Canada's climate change policies and negotiation strategy in Poznan. The packed meeting room held almost all the Canadian youth delegates, as well as the head of the climate change negotiation task force, and the head negotiator for the Poznan climate talks.
Overall, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for youth to engage our negotiators in a discussion on our concerns about climate change, our desire to see stronger leadership and action by the Canadian government, and our request to have an official voice among the government delegation for youth. We also had opportunity to open up a discussion on a few key points we had concerns about, including Canada's lack of leadership, the state of adaptation funding in Canada, and Canada's lack of ambition on emission reduction targets.
The Canadian delegation was friendly, open, and respectful. Though they evaded direct answers to most of our questions, youth appreciated the opportunity to meet with them and express our views.
When asked how Canada defined its perception as a world leader on climate change, he response was that they saw their role as "being constructive" in the negotiations, instead. Needless to say, they also admitted that when it comes to a position on mid-term emission reduction targets, it all depends on what actions others are prepared to put on the table (ie China or India??), and what that adds up to in terms of emissions reductions. Holding the cards close, and waiting for others to make the first move doesn't strike me as leadership, or being constructive.
The youth also asked questions about adaptation funding. Canada recently announced $100 million for adaptation funding for climate change, but did not specify where the money would go and how it would be managed. It is likely they would select the World Bank, which is completely managed and staffed by developed world figures, and has been criticized by developing countries for its lack of transparency and democratic operations. We recommended that Canada direct the funds through the newly-instituted UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol, so that it can be managed transparently, equitably, and sustainably for climate change. Canada suggested that they would wait and see what the best option is, but didn't discount channeling it through the World Bank anyway.
The youth also pointed out that it must be difficult to maintain Canada's integrity in the negotiating room when it is so far from meeting its Kyoto commitments. The delegates argued that Canada remained quite well respected (but I think they meant they personally were still respected in a professional sense - not the same thing!). I guess they weren't around in Bali last year for our record number of Fossil of the Day awards for being obstructionist, and also were somehow isolated from the bad press Canada received internationally for its pathetic action on climate change.
Nonetheless, I honestly believe they are acting in their best capacity under the (mis)guidance of our Prime Minister. Deep down, they appear to be compassionate, kind, and considerate individuals who are just doing their job. It's just too bad they are getting such lousy direction from their advisors.
(P.S. I'm sorry for the lack of photos, but until my laptop decides to smarten up, I'll be using UN computers with no photo uploading programs - soon, I promise!)
Overall, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for youth to engage our negotiators in a discussion on our concerns about climate change, our desire to see stronger leadership and action by the Canadian government, and our request to have an official voice among the government delegation for youth. We also had opportunity to open up a discussion on a few key points we had concerns about, including Canada's lack of leadership, the state of adaptation funding in Canada, and Canada's lack of ambition on emission reduction targets.
The Canadian delegation was friendly, open, and respectful. Though they evaded direct answers to most of our questions, youth appreciated the opportunity to meet with them and express our views.
When asked how Canada defined its perception as a world leader on climate change, he response was that they saw their role as "being constructive" in the negotiations, instead. Needless to say, they also admitted that when it comes to a position on mid-term emission reduction targets, it all depends on what actions others are prepared to put on the table (ie China or India??), and what that adds up to in terms of emissions reductions. Holding the cards close, and waiting for others to make the first move doesn't strike me as leadership, or being constructive.
The youth also asked questions about adaptation funding. Canada recently announced $100 million for adaptation funding for climate change, but did not specify where the money would go and how it would be managed. It is likely they would select the World Bank, which is completely managed and staffed by developed world figures, and has been criticized by developing countries for its lack of transparency and democratic operations. We recommended that Canada direct the funds through the newly-instituted UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol, so that it can be managed transparently, equitably, and sustainably for climate change. Canada suggested that they would wait and see what the best option is, but didn't discount channeling it through the World Bank anyway.
The youth also pointed out that it must be difficult to maintain Canada's integrity in the negotiating room when it is so far from meeting its Kyoto commitments. The delegates argued that Canada remained quite well respected (but I think they meant they personally were still respected in a professional sense - not the same thing!). I guess they weren't around in Bali last year for our record number of Fossil of the Day awards for being obstructionist, and also were somehow isolated from the bad press Canada received internationally for its pathetic action on climate change.
Nonetheless, I honestly believe they are acting in their best capacity under the (mis)guidance of our Prime Minister. Deep down, they appear to be compassionate, kind, and considerate individuals who are just doing their job. It's just too bad they are getting such lousy direction from their advisors.
(P.S. I'm sorry for the lack of photos, but until my laptop decides to smarten up, I'll be using UN computers with no photo uploading programs - soon, I promise!)
Monday, December 1, 2008
COP14 begins, and Canada's government is about to fall
Incredible. Just when we think we have our messages for our government in hand, and we have a grasp of what we think Canada might do in the negotiations, we find out that back home, Parliament Hill is in chaos. It seems that Canada is headed for election #4 in 5 years - what other government has had so many elections as this? It's mildly embarassing, if not humourous! Once again, Canada is a subject of ridicule and snarky remarks here at the UN conference - only this time it isn't YET about being obstructionist idiots in the negotiations...but that remains to be proven otherwise.
Moving on, today has already been intensely busy. Last night my laptop took a nose dive in the productivity department, and I have decided to ditch it and rely on cell phones and the computer lab at the UN. Yet another challenge to completing this blog with any kind of regularity! But so far, so good.
This morning, the international youth policy team reached consensus on a document that outlines our positions on various key issues including deforestation, emissions reductions, adaptation to climate change, our shared vision for the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol (which is what this meeting is largely about), and a few other issues we think are critical in this year's negotiations. The international youth are extremely skilled at co-operating, and I sense we will be a very powerful force. It's very exciting!
Following that, I joined other Canadians to attend a meeting with the Canadian Environmental NGO's (non-government organizations). These include the brainiest of the bunch from Pembina Institute, WWF Canada, Greenpeace Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, etc. They have been very welcoming of the large Canadian youth contingent, and we are very excited to be able to contribute meaningfully to their strategies and tasks. We will be helping to develop messaging, translating media releases into French, and contributing to the intel we acquire from attending various meetings, negotiations, and conversations with government delegates.
And to wrap up the morning - yes, just the morning! - the Canadian Youth policy team held our first meeting here at the UN conference to discuss how we'd like to approach a meeting with our government if, in fact, they come. Everything is very much up in the air regarding whether Prentice will arrive, how the coalition and potential government fall might affect negotiations here, and what we should expect in terms of meetings with our Canadian government officials here.
The next two weeks promise to be light on food and sleep, and heavy on meetings, running around to find people, scrambling to write press releases and policy positions, and of course, finding the odd side event with free food! I will try to get more photos to upload soon.
Moving on, today has already been intensely busy. Last night my laptop took a nose dive in the productivity department, and I have decided to ditch it and rely on cell phones and the computer lab at the UN. Yet another challenge to completing this blog with any kind of regularity! But so far, so good.
This morning, the international youth policy team reached consensus on a document that outlines our positions on various key issues including deforestation, emissions reductions, adaptation to climate change, our shared vision for the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol (which is what this meeting is largely about), and a few other issues we think are critical in this year's negotiations. The international youth are extremely skilled at co-operating, and I sense we will be a very powerful force. It's very exciting!
Following that, I joined other Canadians to attend a meeting with the Canadian Environmental NGO's (non-government organizations). These include the brainiest of the bunch from Pembina Institute, WWF Canada, Greenpeace Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, etc. They have been very welcoming of the large Canadian youth contingent, and we are very excited to be able to contribute meaningfully to their strategies and tasks. We will be helping to develop messaging, translating media releases into French, and contributing to the intel we acquire from attending various meetings, negotiations, and conversations with government delegates.
And to wrap up the morning - yes, just the morning! - the Canadian Youth policy team held our first meeting here at the UN conference to discuss how we'd like to approach a meeting with our government if, in fact, they come. Everything is very much up in the air regarding whether Prentice will arrive, how the coalition and potential government fall might affect negotiations here, and what we should expect in terms of meetings with our Canadian government officials here.
The next two weeks promise to be light on food and sleep, and heavy on meetings, running around to find people, scrambling to write press releases and policy positions, and of course, finding the odd side event with free food! I will try to get more photos to upload soon.
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