Urgent Call to Canadians: Every Minute Counts

It is 4:08 am in Bali, Indonesia. There are only a few hours left in these historic climate negotiations but Canada is blocking an emerging agreement. We can’t let it happen. We need to call the Prime Minister’s Office before 6pm EST – the sooner the better.

The problem:

The talks here are stalled. In an ad-hoc working group of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, only one country is holding out against citing the 25-40% reductions (from 1990 levels) in greenhouse gases that industrialized countries need to make before 2020. That country is Canada. They are preventing inclusion of the targets that the science demands for the survival of the planet. They are watering down this potentially historic pact.

How we solve it: 

The situation is critical, and it’s literally a matter of hours. The Bali agreement could be a step towards stopping dangerous climate change. But if Canada prevents strong targets from being included in the negotiations, we’ll have few concrete results from the work we have been agonizing over for two weeks. Help us get Canada to stop blocking the talks!

If we can put enough pressure on the Canadian Government Delegation here in Bali, they may just change their behaviour. They cannot get away with their tactics if they know their citizens are paying attention.

Call. It will make a real difference. It will make real action on climate change a priority for this government. We can turn the tide in Bali.

What you do:

If you can afford it, call the direct cell phone of the Prime Minister’s representative here in Bali. His name is Dimitri Soudas, and you can reach him on 011 62 85 857 032 037. He needs to hear what Canadians really think.

Or, if the long distances charges are a bit much, call the Prime Minister’s Office at 613 992 4211, and ask to be connected to Mr. Soudas, or the Prime Minister himself.

What you say:

Canada needs to stop blocking the negotiations, so the world can make real progress in Bali!

For more background information, go to www.climateactionnetwork.ca

This request is brought to you by people sitting at their computers all through the night in Bali – mostly members of the Canadian Youth Delegation (www.cydbali.org), a project of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, working alongside the Climate Action Network Canada. Please distribute widely.

Frustration and hope at COP13

by EMILY LAWRENCE Decisions, decisions, decisions! – as an Australian Youth Delegate, decisions play an integral part in our functioning – as opportunities arise, equally as many decisions must be made. Who will present when, who will meet who, who will do what? Today, an AYD verdict allowed me the opportunity to participate in a meeting with the COP13 UNFCCC President – Mr Witoelar, the purpose for which was unsure. Delegates from 5 regions discussed our meeting tactics and formulated some form of plan for our 15 minute contact with this influential figurehead! Expecting a private conversation with the president where we could present our views as representatives of youth and generally engage in an important dialogue, the meeting turned out to be more so publicity stunt for the president who smiled agreeably for the cameras and said uncontroversial statements about the need for “the world to do more”. Although the meeting was staged more so as a photo-opp than anything with real bite, it was a significant milestone to be allowed to meet with him and important in the promotion of the International Youth Climate Network, a global youth partnership in conception at COP13. Of late, there has been a feeling of intense frustration within the youth caucus – while the fate of our world hangs on the line, negotiators and decision makers seem intent on creating innumerable obstacles to prevent progress in the negotiations. Among others creating controversy, Japan threw a spanner in the works of immense proportions when it announced that we must “move beyond Kyoto”, that is – to throw in the towel and take even bigger backward steps from saving our planet. Amongst this bureaucracy, the youth have been attempting to maintain our hope and sense of empowerment. Tonight’s Youth Side Event was our much-needed elixir. In packed house, youth delegates from Japan, Australia, Canada, the US and Indonesia showcased the incredible things youth are achieving against institutional constraints, closed doors and apathy, day in, day out, all around the world. Personally, the event inspired hope that indeed we are not lost in this fight. As young people, carrying neither historical baggage, nor vested interests in anything other than our future, we present a unified front that is nothing less than a force to be reckoned with. The pace of change at COP13 is extraordinary – an hour passes by and you could be looking at a very different future. Tonight’s youth event was an hour well spent and it is hours like this are that will get us through the frustration to come, as we fight for our fate.

The human face of climate change

by Ellen Sandell

Last night the International Youth Caucus here in Bali held a Side Event that showcased the activities that young people are taking all around the world to halt climate change. It was an inspiring event, with examples of education, outreach, direct action, lobbying and more from countries such as Indonesia, Japan, the UK, Canada, the US and, of course, Australia.
But the most heartfelt (and heartbreaking) moment came after the youth finished presenting their stories of success, when a young woman from Kiribati stood up and told her story. Kiribati (pronounced Kir-ah-bass) is a Pacific island, the majority of which is only two metres above sea level. As this woman explained, her people are already feeling the devastating impacts of climate change. As we listened with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, I realised that this was one of the first times I had put a human voice to the climate justice issues the world will face if we don’t do much, much more to halt climate change.
Many of us here are becoming frustrated with the slow progress of the UNFCCC negotiations, as countries spend hours debating whether certain agenda items should be adopted or not. Meanwhile, many low-lying islands are drowning, and the culture and way of life of their people are disappearing.
The global community must wake up and realize that climate change is not only an economic, environmental or trade issue – but it is an issue of fundamental human rights. The countries which have contributed the least to climate change are the ones being the most affected, and they have the least amount of resources to cope with the impacts. Most popular debate surrounds targets of 2 degrees of warming from pre-industrial levels, whereas the effects on nations such as Kiribati are already devastating. 2 degrees of warming, therefore, will be disastrous for many people around the world. Seeing as the international community seems unwilling or unable to cope with the number of refugees currently seeking asylum around the world – what will happen when tens of thousands more are displaced from Pacific Islands due to even greater sea level rise, storms and other effects of climate change?
It is imperative that we re-conceptualise the debate around emission reduction targets and the consequences of climate change. 2 degrees is far too much, and we must be reminded of this every time we look at the faces of our Pacific neighbours who are already likely to lose their homes.

Press Release: Canadian Youth Make Waves in Bali

Cross-posted from It’s Getting Hot in Here – dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadian Youth Make Waves in Bali

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA –

The Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD) to the United Nations Climate Change conference is making waves in Bali, Indonesia during the first week of the major international summit.

“We have come half-way around the world to represent a generation frustrated with inaction” says Sasha Pippenger from Vancouver, British Columbia. “We need a Bali Breakthrough in order to produce a strong mandate for the post 2012-period when the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol expires.”

These young Canadians are a visible presence throughout the conference, using their creativity and energy to produce daily actions highlighting the need to act urgently to mitigate climate change. Yesterday, youth taught swimming lessons to help conference delegates adapt to future sea level rise brought about by climate change. Today, they are handing out climate change emergency kits.

Not only are young people involved in creative actions, they are also engaged in the policy process. Canadian youth recently met with the official Canadian delegation and are hopeful they will meet with the Minister of the Environment, John Baird, when he arrives at the conference next week. “We are pleased to have opened a dialogue with the official Canadian Delegation, we look forward to building on this opportunity, ensuring that youth engagement becomes a priority in future negotiations and throughout the year,” says Trevor Bennett from Guelph, Ontario.

US Youth Delegation Poised to Confront State Department

PRESS ADVISORY AND RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DECEMBER 5, 2007

CONTACT:
Richard Graves, SustainUS, Bali: 081 338-989020 – Richard.Graves@sustainus.org
Brianna Cayo Cotter, Energy Action Coalition, USA: 415-305-1943 – brianna@energyaction.net

US Youth Delegation Poised to Confront State Department
Over Plan to Kill Bali Climate Negotiations

The US youth delegation traveled to the UN climate negotiations in Bali in a spirit of hopeful anticipation, to showcase youth climate leadership and the American people’s desire for leadership by example and action on global warming for future generations. They had hoped that the unprecedented outpouring of support for strong climate action from students, scientists, the business community, faith leaders, and the American people over the past year would inspire US negotiators to seek a more constructive role in the Bali climate negotiations. However, the US youth delegation finds itself confronting their own State Department representatives over reports that they are seeking to kill the Bali climate negotiations through back-channel schemes with Chinese and Indian representatives.

“We feel we have a responsibility to face our representatives and make sure our voice is heard, that the US must honor its promises to support a roadmap for a secure climate for future generations” said Whit Jones, 22, a youth delegate from Portland, Maine. “As a delegation of elected officials, student body presidents, international scholars, teachers, community activists, journalists, and green entrepreneurs, we hope that the State Department officials listen to our diverse and unified voice representing the position of the majority of Americans.”

Youth representatives will be meeting with State Department representatives at 4:45pm on Dec. 5^th, in Nusa Dua, Bali to see if they will confirm or deny news reports that not only that they are going back on promises by US Representative Paula Dobriansky to pursue a serious Bali roadmap but are working to persuade major emitting countries to kill the climate negotiations. If US State Department officials are indeed acting so, this would amount to a betrayal of trust towards Congress, which is currently working on landmark energy and climate legislation, the 81% of Americans who want the US to lead by example on global warming, and the next generation of Americans that will face the worst impacts of climate change.

MEDIA ADVISORY

After the meeting, youth representatives will make a statement in response to the State Department meeting and will be available for interviews. They will make their statement by the CAN International display booth in the BICC (Westin Hotel).

What: Press Conference to announce outcome of US Youth delegation’s confrontation with State Department officials, preceding the International Youth awarding of the Fossil of the Day Award.

Where: CAN International display booth, BICC (Westin Hotel), UN Climate Negotations, Nusa Dua.

When: 18:00 (GMT +8:00) Dec. 5^th, 2007.

###

Fossil of the Day

Cross-posted from It’s Getting Hot in Here – dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement By: Courtney Price

The latest UN Conference on Climate Change is only two days old, but Canada, the United States, Japan and Saudi Arabia have already managed to shame themselves by being awarded a ‘Fossil of the Day’ for having the most obstructive and damaging positions in the international negotiations so far.

Loud booing echoed in the exhibition hall as a crowd gathered to show its disapproval for the countries that are perceived as doing the least to stop climate change.

Youth delegates from the ‘winning’ countries stood in front of a back drop of flames and behind blocks of coal and explained their reasons for accepting the award.

Dispatch from Bali: Joining Leaders of the Global Youth Climate Movement

Cross-posted from It’s Getting Hot in Here – dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement

We are forging our future here in Bali. I think it’s incredible to meet so many youth from around the world are here in Bali. Leaders of the youth climate movement from Canada, Australia, US, UK, India, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Germany, Holland, and Japan are here and calling on world leaders for a strong commitment to action.

On Saturday, we kicked off our international youth coalition in Bali in preparation for the conference. To step up our impact on the negotiations, we organized ourselves into four working groups: Communications & messaging, Creative action & outreach, Policy, and International youth network. The four groups are now meeting daily to coordinate their own projects during the conference.

Bali Talks Underway, Fossil Fuels… Here to Stay?

Cross-posted from It’s Getting Hot in Here – dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement

After many months of anticipation, the United Nations climate change negotiations are finally underway in Bali, Indonesia.

The meeting opened yesterday with a formal plenary, along with a parallel flurry of press conferences, side events, exhibitions, and creative advocacy efforts. The energy at Bali is palpable, and the mounting momentum is a testament to the significance of this conference.

UN climate bigwig Yvo de Boer- formally, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, set the tone for the process in his statements:

To the dismay of many here in Bali, de Boer’s message was punctuated with a reference to the permanence of fossil fuels.

And so begin the negotiations, the skillful weaving of a web of interests and rhetoric. But we’ve all come to Bali for a breakthrough, not for business as usual or lip service.

Is a climate regime that caters to the fossil fuel industry really the best we can do?

Youth Coalition Calls For A Bali Breakthrough

“Our future is in your hands, show true leadership”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 3, 2007
ATTENTION: News Editors, Political, Energy and Environmental Reporters
CONTACT:
Richard Graves (USA) – Richard.Graves@sustainus.org
Rosa Kouri (CA) – Rosa.Kouri@cydbali.org
Bali Phone #: 81-337- 949-749
Youth from around the world have set an example for their leaders at the Bali climate negotiations this week, reaching out and joining with hundreds of young people from across the globe at the 3rd International Conference of Youth. They were united in calling for real cooperation and strong climate leadership from their governments.

“We have met with young people from across the world,” said 24-year-old Australian spokesperson Amanda McKenzie, “and we all agree – our leaders need to take much stronger action to protect our future.”

“This weekend’s youth conference has shown that the world’s young people are willing and able to cooperate, and we urge our leaders to do the same.” Youth leaders from North America, Australia, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific converged on Bali in an effort to get world leaders to cooperate in protecting their future.

In light of last month’s IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which presented a dire prediction of climate impacts, these young people – aged from 16 to 26 – have every reason to be concerned about their future.

“Young people have a critical, but underrepresented voice in building the future they must live in. World leaders should follow the lead of young people and act together to secure a livable future for their children.” said Richard Graves, 25, a US youth representative.

Earlier this year, Catherine Gauthier, 18, said before the UN High level meeting on Climate Change in September, “Young people have no vested interests or historical baggage – we just want a safe future.” Youth leaders hope that world leaders heed her call and work towards a mandate for a strong global climate agreement.

The 3rd International Conference of Youth was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, SustainUS, and Solar Generation.

For dispatches from the Youth Delegations, visit: http://www.ItsGettingHotinHere.org
For dispatches from the UN Climate Negotiations, visit Bali Buzz: http://www.unfcccbali.com

US Youth Head to Bali Climate Negotiations to Fight for Their Future

Youth delegation raises concerns about U.S. position as dangerously out of touch and articulates clear vision for a clean energy future

For immediate release: December 3, 2007
For more information contact:Brianna Cayo Cotter, Energy Action Coalition, 415-305-1943 -brianna [at] energyaction.net; Yochi Zakai, SustainUS, 202-276-0330—yochi.zakai [at] sustainus.org

Bali, Indonesia- On Monday, December 3, 2007 a delegation of twenty youth leaders will begin two weeks of negotiations, meetings, and actions to demand that world leaders take the bold, global action necessary to avert a climate crisis at the UN Climate Negotiations in
Bali, Indonesia. This youth delegation, organized by SustainUS and representing a diverse group of young people from across the United States, are in Bali to advocate for their generation’s right to a clean energy future and denounce their government’s continued efforts to block progress on capping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“There is no more time to debate, even though the Bush administration refuses to take action on climate change, our generation must work together on the most important issue that has ever faced humanity. We need action right now. We have spent months working to get here, and we want to engage in the negotiations and make our presence known,” said SustainUS delegate Logan Yonavjak.

These twenty youth delegates represent a burgeoning American youth climate change movement that is paving the way towards a clean, just, and sustainable future in spite of political leadership to the contrary. While the Bush administration has stymied efforts both domestically and internationally to seriously address climate change, the US youth
climate movement, through the Energy Action Coalition, has achieved considerable clean energy victories on their campuses and in their communities. The Bush administration’s positions in Bali do not represent American public opinion and the youth delegation to the
negotiations is intent on representing what America, and the world, want and need from a global climate agreement. Recent polls in the United States show that an overwhelming majority of Americans support clean energy initiatives and believe that America should be doing more to stop climate change.

“The decision-makers gathered in Bali should rest assured that those of us not in attendance are back home in the United States making sure that young people elect a President that will enforce a binding, mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jessy Tolkan, Executive Director of Programs at Energy Action Coalition. “Over the next two weeks, listen to the US youth delegation. They represent our country’s future, and they care about climate change.”

The U.S. youth delegation is part of a larger international youth delegation of over 100 young people from around the world calling for strong international cooperation and action in addressing climate change. United by the reality that young people and future generations will be most impacted by climate change, the international youth delegation will push hard for a variety of policy recommendations, which include strategies for education on green living, sustainable development for industrialized and developing countries, land use change, mitigation, adaptation, deforestation, and the socioeconomic effects of climate change. The most important policy they are calling for is an international, mandatory agreement to put a cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our message to world leaders is clear: support a strong, binding agreement to protect young people’s future and build a world that you can be proud to pass onto your children,” said Erin Kenzie, chair of SustainUS.