Nine passionate individuals from across the country have come together under the banner of IYCN to launch this daring road tour.  And here we are:  after nearly 6 months of planning and a lot of sweat and tears, this dream has become a reality (I’m litterally on the road!).  Thanks in part to the vision of American scholars living and working in India in the field of climate change, the idea of the journey was spawned.  To think that a company would actually provide specially designed vehicles with the latest technology and provide it free of charge to some individuals who are wanting to launch a movement, is rather exciting.  We NEED more enlightened corporations to come forward and support such causes.  We need enlighted politicians such as the Minister of New & Renewable Energy to show the kind of leadership that is required to inspire millions to recognize the savings in green and the sanctity of greenliving.

In search of India’s climate solutions, we will be igniting a movement for change and a movement that will leave not only the lives of thousands transformed (through a vision of what India can be) but will leave the lives of the participating members transformed permanently as well.  It has already been quite a transformative day as I spent some quality time with students of the environment and enegy club at the Vellore Institute of Technology.  Listening to what the university has managed to do for campus sustainability was astonishing and the dreams and visions of the students left me inspired.  To summarise, they have developed a prototype vehicle that runs on CO2 and are cultivating a biofuel plant (name forgotten for the time being) that is native to India and is better in everyway by a factor of 10 than the highly regarded jatropha.  They even have their own battery operated vehicles so charging our REVA there was not a problem!  The students are working hard to spread awareness amongst the 14,000 strong student body population about how all of them can work to transform India’s energy economy into one that is green and clean.  Imagine nearly 14,000 engineers graduating every year and devoting themselves to such a cause!  Truly an Incredible !ndia that would be.

Bangalore awaits…. “WE ARE THE SOUTION!”

We reported to the COP 14 at 8:45 am for our participation in an international youth side action. Representatives from 50 countries stood at the entrance corridor in a disciplined queue showcasing different messages with their country flags. ‘Share our vision”, we called out in unison to the negotiators, UN observers, intergovernmental party members, journalists, NGO & business participants as they walked past us. We continued to echo our messages one by one till our time slot came to an end. “The youth of the world are cooperating, when are the political leaders going to join hands?”, “Fight disease, tech transfer funding, stop deforestation save our coral reefs, indigenous rights, adaptation fund, mitigation, save our forests, developed countries should take responsibility of their historical emissions.”

The youth movement had kick started with yet another powerful, energetic event which beckoned to the political leaders of the world. I felt charged up standing in the midst of the youth, voicing their slogans in a crescendo.

Another highlight of my personal experience in the conference was my role as the youth liaison to the UNFCCC Secretariat along with Line Kirk from Denmark. After the action in the morning, we went together to discuss with Maurice working under the UNFCCC Secretariat about the booking of meeting rooms for the youth. We were thrilled to know that the secretariat had agreed to give us a room (Aesculapian Snake) from 10am to 11am, everyday for us to assemble and have our youth meetings. This arrangement worked out very well for the youth as we all had a debrief in the morning before we launched our actions for the day as a youth movement.

I went to the stork plenary for a while to listen to the various parties talk about technology transfer, and provision for financial and technical support. While I glanced through the stork Plenary, I ran to hear the last 5 minutes of the European Union in a press conference. The representatives made a key note on technology and investment as hand in hand opportunities.

Inspite of not attending the full press conference it was extremely fruitful for a few representatives of the Indian Delegation to have a three minute chat with UNFCCC Secretary, Yvo de Boer, and confirm an appointment with him for the next day for 20 minutes for a one on one meeting with the India youth delegation . The Indian Youth Delegation were delighted to share this opportunity with the youth community and represent them with specific questions for Mr. De Boer .

While the excitement of our break through subsided I headed for a UNFCCC side event on the LEG/NAPA at 1:00 pm. It was an update on the work for the Least Developed countries Expert Group (LEG) and the status of implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) highlighting results of collaborating institutions. As per the definition of UNFCCC, NAPAs provide a process for LDCs to identify priority activities that respond to their urgent needs to adapt to climate change – those for which further delay would increase vulnerability and costs at a later stage. As of October 2008, the UNFCCC secretariat received NAPAs from 38 LDCs. As per the status from 2001, there had only been one NAPA project implemented in Bhutan.  The reason why it was implemented was because the studies with regard to disaster risk, feasibility and assessment of costs were completed before hand by the infrastructure in Bhutan. In most developed countries this process is extremely time consuming. The discussion that followed the presentation voiced concerned opinions of many officials representing LDCs. They questioned the implementation strategies of NAPA, the reason in the delay of the implementation. Why did it take so long to implement one project since 2001?  Why was it taking so long to implement NAPAs from 38 LDCs while there was a dire need for ground adaptation strategies?  The board specified on the need for a comprehensive climate strategy at national level. There is a need to mainstream adaptation in all aspects of economy and society. There is also a dire need to establish a vital connection between traditional knowledge and the solutions for adaptation policies. There was also a need to define adaptation and streamline it in development.

Along with the side event, the international outreach group were active in organizing yet another international youth action at 1:15pm, ‘Meet and Treat,’ for government delegates entering the afternoon plenary session - offering traditional polish pastries together with an invitation for government delegates to meet with the youth.

At 3 pm I headed for the communications group meeting. We discussed a fresh angle to add to our discussions. We decided to have two press conferences oriented towards the youth. Another challenge was to get across the international youth message through our actions, particularly to the media and the country representatives. We also discussed various aspects of the working groups. There were to be liaisons from all the working groups. The liaisons were to meet every evening at 6pm and put together an amalgam of all activities and feedbacks from all working groups. They were further to report back to their individual groups and share information as to what was happening with the other groups.

At 3:30 pm I headed for the AD Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the convention (AWG – LCA). This was a workshop on a shared vision for long term cooperative action.

The shared vision encompassed of mitigation and adaptation priority actions targeted country based. The idea was to build on a national level adaptation planning and implementation, building on existing processes and existing financial programs. Every country would have to prioritize in new and additional finance and investments.

The goal was to reach 350 ppm, below 1.5 Centigrade above pre–industrial levels. In reference to the baseline of 1990, the emissions reductions were to be more than 85% by 2050.

The goal of Annex 1 countries: reductions by 20% to 1990 levels by 2020 and more than 85% by 2050.

Japan was to achieve stabilisation of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system. The suggestions were to incorporate innovation in day to day lifestyle, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Dr Pradipto Ghosh, negotiator representing India stressed highly on per capita emissions and climate equity. He pin pointed on the ultimate goal of the shared vision. The method, the relevance of the method, the relevance of the provisions of Kyoto, cumulative emissions, historical emissions in a time frame of eco-systems, food production, economic development. “All the elements of ‘The Bali Action’ plan are comprehensive and interrelated. “

According to Dr Pradipto Ghosh, three relevant points include ;

1. Equity: All humans are responsible towards achieving any stabilization target.
2. Right to development of LDCs: Rapid development, poverty and vulnerability are interrelated.
3. Adaptation: economic & social development and poverty eradication, stabilization of emissions, mitigation measures should be compensated by developed countries through transfer of technology to account for their historical emissions.

The need of the hour would include deep reduction targets of 25%-40% by 2020 on the baseline of 1990. India stressed on equal rights to the common man, equal arrangements in Copenhagen wherein all parties should reach a consensus.

Ghana stressed on polluters pay principle, urgent precautionary measures, equity at an intra and inter generational level, access to ecological space, solution not limited to mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance. Ultimately the global goal should be measurable, verifiable and reportable with the help of mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance.

According to Brazil, an innovative approach on technology development was very important. Currently there is an implementation deficit. The shared vision would require a new cooperation approach determining responsibilities of the Annex 1 countries and non–Annex countries. The level of support would determine the action. However financing of projects wasn’t to depend solely on markets. It would demand scaling up of public sector funding on a concessional basis. Further adaptation would have to be country driven. Historical emissions were to be considered and each country would act accordingly with a view of the future.

Despite the fact that the workshop was extremely interesting, I had to rush to meet Joydeep with the Indo-Asian News Service to discuss our role as an Indian delegation. The article he published came in the Deccan Herald, Times of India, and a blog of news relating to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

I ran to the UNFCCC office to book a press conference room. The theme of the youth press conference to take place on the 11^th December, was to be “voices of the global youth.”   Having fulfilled this, I attended a little of the negotiations in the Stork Plenary. While it was extremely interesting, I remember being very tired. At 6 pm we had our Indian youth delegation debrief session. We spoke about our busy day and each one shared their thoughts and ideas about the conference. It was a fruitful exercise since everybody clarified their misconceptions and problems if any. We also had the dinner reception on this day hosted by the Polish government for all participants. So it was great to look forward to good food and interactions during dinner time. We had the opportunity to meet with the official delegate from Trinidad. We chatted the night with our youth colleagues from around the world–dreaming of a future that can be.

]]> http://www.whatswiththeclimate.org/2009/01/03/2nd-december08-poznan-diaries/feed/ http://www.whatswiththeclimate.org/2009/01/03/a-full-summary-of-project-survival-at-cop14/ http://www.whatswiththeclimate.org/2009/01/03/a-full-summary-of-project-survival-at-cop14/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:49:12 +0000 Deepa http://www.whatswiththeclimate.org/?p=786 Hi, below is a speech I gave at a press conference which outlines how the international youth started project survival, and documents our progress until the second last day. The outcomes to project survival can be seen in earlier posts (titled “survival is not negotiable”, and “youth had their voices heard at the UN Climate Negotiations”)

I have come with 500 young people from around the world. Youth have been coming to the UN climate negotiations since the first COP. However traditionally they have worked on domestic policy and lobbied their own countries. Traditionally they have been from the developed world.

This year we’ve broken tradition. I’ve come with the first ever Indian Youth delegation, along with many other representatives from the global south. We are 500 young people from 50 different countries; and we’ve managed to unite under the banner of equity and survival.

Unite in a way our leaders have failed.

We started this conference in hope that perhaps we’d be able to sway the positions of the developed world. Allow from some progressive commitments, but soon realised the unlikelihood of such happenings. So we shifted focus, if we couldn’t shift the developed countries, to listen and act upon our moral requests, we thought, why not support and strengthen the voice of the developing nations. Youth have always recognised the significance of equity and justice, the right to adequate representation of all countries, especially those that are most affected. Hence we decided to support delegations that were under represented and the most severely affected – the Island nations (AOSIS) and least developed countries (LDCs).

You see, delegations of the smaller and poorest countries of the world have one, two, maximum four members on their delegations. They have to write their entire policy position, cover multiple areas of concern, working night and day from before the negotiations even start. They barely have enough time to eat or sleep, and to make matters worse, the accommodation they’re provided is far away from the COP venue (unlike accommodation given to the more affluent countries). The consequence is, they participate in the negotiations tired and hungry, and if they leave the room for a toilet break or to grab lunch, the voice of that country goes unrepresented.

In COP14 youth have supported these underrepresented countries. We’ve helped them in their policy formulation, bought them lunch, coffee, photocopied for them and arranged their taxies home. This quickly lead to the formation of a friendship between youth and many LDC and AOSIS nations, and resulted in a humble request. The message from these countries was that they were appreciative of youth helping them at the COP, however what was of utmost importance to them was that their voices weren’t being heard.

An unofficial alliance was formed and the common goal of “survival” was realised. The voices of the poorest nations weren’t being heard, just like that of the youth. We as young people, future inhabitants of the earth with face very real survival challenges, as were the island nations and poorest countries of the world. My neighbours in Bangladesh soon enough will be submerged underwater, with millions left without homes. It will be a fight for survival. A fight for the poorest of our nations. A fight for the young people in these nations.

Forget the future, its happening today!

In the Sunderbans, off the coast of West Bengal, people have been drinking saline water for over a year, their crops have been continually ruined, the fish have died due to contamination from aline water, and boils and sores all over their body.

That’s not living, that’s survival.

My bhaiya (brother) in Alwar district, Rajasthan tells me that they don’t have any more water, that the rich have their water supplied from other regions, whilst the poorer deal with water contamination.

That’s not living, that’s survival.

My family in Bhadrak Orissa were victims to the ’99 Orissa cyclone, at a magnitude rarely seen. They describe stories of walking in neck deep water, of rotting animal carcasses and human corpses flowing down the street and filling the air with a bloody stench. Of my uncle saving a friend from drowning and of sand submerged buildings on the shore. Over 10,000 people died and thousands left homeless.

Thats not living that’s survival.

We are going to see more of this, especially those of us living in poorer parts of the world. The poorest nations and poorest people of the world shouldn’t have to deal with this. The youth of the world shouldn’t have to deal with this.

We all have a right to survival.

In the past 24h we have gotten the signatures from over 50 different countries committing to the pledge of “safeguarding the survival of all countries and people”. We have gotten the support from all AOSIS nations, from many LDC nations, and even countries like Italy and Austria. However we need the commitment of all countries. We can’t move forward or come to an equitable Copehagan agreement unless the underlying principles are equity and survival. I call upon each and every country to commit, that we don’t leave Poznan without committing to the goal of survival – that nation will be left behind.
(note: we ended up with over 80 countries in 48h)

So come join us in getting our countries to commit, and build a world we want to LIVE in, not merely survive.

1^st Dec, I took the tram number 9 to get to the venue at 8:45 am. The very idea of my first United Nations conference as a youth delegate made me nervous. Just outside the venue I was greeted by the Youth Welcome Banner, “Join us in saving our future” plus the word ‘welcome’ in 50 different languages written around the outside. Another action I found extremely interesting was the walnut given to me by the WWF team which symbolized “Crack the Climate Nut.”

I entered the COP venue and was greeted by a scene similar to the airport. Lots of queues, lots of security guards and lots of security checking.

Finally I managed to wade across to the stork plenary, where the main UN Negotiations were being held. We met with the official Indian delegation and fell back in the background while the UN Negotiations introduction started.

It was extremely overwhelming to watch the UN negotiations at such a large scale. There were representatives from more than 192 countries under the same roof. There was a welcoming speech by the participants which included the Prime Minister of Poland, Yve de Boer, the excecutive secretary general and a few others.

The Indian youth delegation decided to have their first debrief meeting to decide our political and action strategies. Our discussion led to our waiting outside Dr Pachuri’s office since we were to meet him to take a brief recording on the role of youth in the conference.

Looking at the daily program I realized that a typical day at the COP14 would be filled with a zillion events and meetings.  I would have to run from one event to another. The idea was to take in as much as knowledge as possible to benefit the most out of all the events.  A lot of side events and press conferences were taking place along with the main Stork Plenary events.

I decided that I would prefer to go for a CDM panel discussion. Inspite of the fact that I reached late I learnt a lot. There was an faq round with the CDM Exceutive Board. There was a presentation which summed up the plans, and the methodologies of the CDM process. I found a few questions extremely interesting. The CDM board diplomatically answered the crooked questions asked about methodologies, transparency , role of small scale private sector , standardization,input of the public in the CDM process,capacity building. There had been a general dip in the number of CDM projects since April 2008 . The CDM Executive Board assured the audience that it was a passing phase. They were also over burdened with the number of projects to be passed and were currently under review.

When I left the CDM talk I realized that I had missed the press conference with the US negotiators. Apparently the chief negotiator had discussed everything to do with the Montreal negotiations and didn’t accept any emissions cuts. Since Obama has just taken office everybody was really hopeful. “The decision should come in Copenhagen.”  In retrospect, every government had said that as part of every statement, every speech ,every future decision to be made in Poznan.

At 3 pm I headed for the communications working group. This was an interesting exercise to reach out to the traditional media , to enhance the international youth message to the world , the public message etc . We were 10 of us. And each one was assigned a role to reach out with our message. A few roles we decided to concentrate were leadership, urgency, climate equity and messaging .

I went directly to the stork plenary after that, having missed out on the opening ceremony .It was fascinating to watch the live un negotiations. There were some interesting comments. The LDCS were putting up a good defense to put forward their case.

I headed for the side events after this. There was an interesting talk about REDD and indigenous rights. REDD is an incentive ‘to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Emissions from deforestation account for 16% of the overall emissions. Therefore reduction in deforestation is extremely vital in order to maintain the global mean temperature well below 2 degrees.

I was completely tired by the end of this day and awaited my bed eagerly. However the Indian delegation had a debrief before we all finally called it a day. In our debrief we discussed about our personal experiences and the stance we were to take as representatives of our country.

48c Public.Art.Ecology: Public Eco.Art in Delhi City

48c Public.Art.Ecology is a city wide festival wherein some 24 art projects themed on ecology have been installed in some 8 public spaces in the city.

The festival has been on since December 12th and was launched by the Lt. Governor of Delhi at Max Mueller Bhawan.

So far, thousands of citizens have been to the sites, experienced the installations and left their feedback. We’ve literally painted the city pink, and you cannot miss the projects at the below mentioned sites. We have a tree hanging from a crane at Barakhamba, a lighthouse at Kashmere Gate, a raft at Roshanara and a hanging garden at Jantar Mantar..to name a few!

We invite you to make a trip to the sites at Kashmere Gate, Jantar Mantar, Roshanara Bagh, Palika Bazaar/CP, Ramlila Maidan, Chandni Chowk, Barakhamba Road and Mandi House!

As Delhi Greens, the outreach coordinators for the festival, we have woven a series of talks and walks (not to mention the urban eco-bus tours) around the festival.

We launched the first-of-its-kind Delhi Urban Ecotourism Bus trip last Saturday (13th December) and would be taking another tour today and then another tomorrow.

Today (December 20th) at 4 pm, we have organized a talk by Professor Vikram Soni on the “Yamuna in Delhi” at Kashmere Gate (the monument). He would show a small film on the (economic) importance of the Yamuna floodplains to Delhi and have an interactive discussion thereafter.

Tomorrow (December 21st) at 8 am, we invite you to a cycling rally starting from the gates of Jantar Mantar followed by a talk on Cycling and Ecology at Oxford Bookstore, Barakhamba Road.

All of you are invited for the above mentioned two interactive talks.

We are concluding the Festival with an Indian Ocean performance (Live in Concert) at Hamsadhwani Open Air Theater, Pragati Maidan, Delhi). All of you are invited for the same, and free passes can be collected from Max Mueller Bhawan, KG Marg, New Delhi.

We hope you would visit the 48c Public.Art.Ecology - now in its last three days - and would experience Public Eco.Art. like never seen before in Delhi!

For more info, visit: http://48c.org
For outreach plan, visit: http://delhigreens.org/48c

For any information or clarification, please contact me at: 98111 47754

The Global Climate Campaign was mobilized a Global Day of Action on Climate Change on the 6th December 2008, Saturday-to mark the UNFCCC Climate Talks (COP14/MOP4) taking place, this year, in Poznan, Poland.
   
Delhi and the rest of India witnessed a massive mobilization of youths and other field workers campaigning against the ever-increasing threat of Climate Change.

The rallies and demos were there to mark the Global Day of Action on Climate Change on December 6th 2008.

 The University of Delhi marked the 6th December, 2008 - the Global Day of Action - with speeches on Climate Change and Justice from some important players, released a booklet by SANSAD: ‘Climate Change in South Asia Emerging Challenges and Responses’, performed plays on climate change, exhibited paintings on climate change, held talks and had a massive March to spread awareness and demand urgent and resolute action on climate change – especially to the long-industrialized countries.
 
Youth from different universities and people from other organisations as well as social activist had joined the rally along with march from different part of Delhi. The march started from the Arts faculty and covered different colleges and faculties.

Speakers: Mr. Anil Singh (Director of Sansad)
                       Sub:  Climate Justice
                  Dr. Jaiprakash (Principal of Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Science, D.U)
                        Sub: Energy
                  Dr. Kanan Nanda (Principal of Daulat Ram Collefge, D.U)
                         Sub: India and Climate change
                  Prof. S.K. ViZ
                  Dr. Sanjay Bhatt (DSSW)
 
Meerut city, made aware by the school children from The Vidya Global School, organized a seminar as well as rally on the Global Climate Change. It also had a sport painting competition on similar theme.
 
Kerala  had a demonstration in front of the Kottayam muncipal building at 5 pm on 6 Dec. With the presence of many Media House.
 
Thanks to everyone who got involved in events around the Country for the Global Day of Action!
 
I look forward to hearing from you,
With Regards,
Naveen Mishra
Global Climate Campaign
www.globalclimatecampaign.org
New Delhi
(91) 9910702114,   011-22450655  

For more pictures, visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33174578@N03/

For more reports and Film Visit:
http://southasia.oneworld.net/todaysheadlines/indian-students-call-for-climate-action

Dr. Srivastava put her research and recommendations forth for the Low Carbon Options for India: Challenges and technological options (TERI Report). It takes forward the dialogue on technology sharing forward, rather than just vaguely speaking about the subject, Dr. Srivastava tried to give a basic overview of the options and technology needs one should have in mind for India while taking about the same.

The paper gives a comparative review of the renewable energy options, their expenditures and feasibility scenarios in light of four different conditions which are namely: Reference (business as usual), Evolution (improved energy efficiency and GTL and CTL included), Resolution (Prime Minister’s commitment) and Ambition (India takes strict emission reduction targets). The results have been presented in accurate manner though seem somewhat inflated based upon the scenario conditions.But as far as the reaction to the TERI’s projection of the business as usual emissions for India by 2031/32 are considered, they were focussed on the rapidly developing strategies the country has been following and not much disagreement was evident either at the event or otherwise on the proclaimed controversial statement.

However the statements are in pretty well agreement with the expected results but one condition to be taken in this context is that it considers the recent nuclear deal and a fuel price of $150/barrel into calculations.

Anyhow, to a greater extent, the paper and the presentation as the first attempt to specifically quantify the otherwise vague area of low carbon technology alternatives for a rapidly developing nation as India should be called a success. Atleast it gave us a direction to further concentrate on the goals and the requirements giving the much needed impetus.

Application

Job Descriptions

The school called for ‘Sanskriti 350′ - an inter-school event inviting eco-clubs from over 30 schools, in a bid to highlight the importance of 350. Remarkably enough, Sanskriti (meaning culture) 350 was an event completely for the youth, by the youth and of the youth!

The youth event had everything from a green fashion show, a brainstorming session, green film competition, ad-mad, to a rock-band competition titled ‘the sounds of 350′! The event saw a good participation and was inaugurated by the Secreatary, Environment in the Government of Delhi Mr. J.K. Dadoo - who elaborated on the science and policy of climate change. He also warned the students of a disease called ‘affluenza’ which, according to him, is a major threat to the global environment.

The enthusiasm of the young adults and the energy levels in them clearly suggested that the youth has understood the urgency to act today in order to ensure their survival, and the survival of their children and grandchildren on this Planet. It was most inspiring when the School Principal Mrs. Abha Sahgal took to stage and declared that her generation had clearly not done enough to protect our environment and that she is whole-heartedly with the youth - leading the green movement.

Sanskriti 350 also saw participation from the Indian Youth Climate Network, Delhi Greens and the 48C Festival being celebrated in the city.

“Climate Change is a global issue but needs a solution on local level as priority. The hilly towns like Manali are most vulnerable, as their whole economy is dependent on weather conditions. The apple –tourist economy will survive no longer if the present conditions prevail for a longer time,” said Kabir Arora, Coordinator, Pahal in a workshop organized at Delhi Public School. The workshop was organized as an outreach programme of Pahal with the theme “Climate Change and Manali”. The students present pledge that they will participate whole-heartedly in the coming programmes of organization in next session which will include cleaning projects. Ms. Sukhjeet Kaur was the other speaker of the occasion. Ms. Amarjeet Kaur, School Principal and Staff were present along with more than 50 students.

The Words:

Dekho! Dekho! Yeh India hey hum,
Fir bhi, kyun hey, yeh atmosphere garam?

Jabki, hum may, hey itna saara dum,

Kyun na, kare hum, yeh CO2 ko kam?

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

Within 48 hours we mobilised over 80 countries into signing the pledge, along with well known figures including Dr R.K. Pachauri, Nicholas Stern and Tim Flannery. Almost 10 ministers made this statement in their ministerial speech, with Australian Federal Minister of Climate Change formally acknowledging the “international youth delegation”. And to top it off we got our message in section 5 of the 2 page ministerial document (the key document with the outcomes for the UN Climate negotiations). Saying

“Participants at the round table expressed the need for international solidarity in embarking on a low emissions path that safeguards the developmental aspirations and survival of the most vulnerable countries and people.”

I write this after returning from UN Climate talks in Poland, where one thing became heartbreakingly apparent: for some people, these negotiations weren’t just about numbers and compromise and diplomacy. For some people, these negotiations were about survival. People toss around a lot of lofty words at the UN, so let me be clear. I’m not talking about “survival” as an abstract concept, or some distant problem for future generations. I’m talking about countries and peoples getting quite literally wiped off the map within decades. I’m talking about human lives and livelihoods being destroyed by the impacts of climate change here and now.

The countries facing the biggest impacts of climate change are also the countries most poorly represented here in the United Nations. Two weeks ago 49 of the world’s most vulnerable countries endorsed the 350 target that the latest science calls for. Instead of recognizing the importance of this call, some EU leaders and Australia backpedalled on their already weak climate commitments. Hence the 500 young people present from around the world decided that it was to change the conversation in Poland, to send one clear message that cut through the static.

Survival is not negotiable.

Youth action frames the conversation at the UNFCCC in Poznan, Poland

Young people from around the world made their voice heard today at the UN Framework Convention on Climate change in Poznan, Poland. After an inspiring speech from Al Gore, over 200 young people from India to the U.S. to the Congo held a spontaneous action inside, with banners that read “SURVIVAL IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.”

The demonstration was the next step in our “project survival” - inspired by a speech earlier this week by a representative from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), stating that current emissions targets set by powerful countries condemn their nations to extinction. In the last two days youth have mobilized to get over 80 country delegations to sign a pledge to “safeguard the survival of all peoples and nations.” Youth organized actions, tracked down delegates in the halls, lined the entrance to the plenaries, and knocked on meeting room doors to push their countries to sign the Survival Pledge. This morning our text has been adopted in the official UN Ministerial declaration document emerging from COP14, the COP President’s text on long-term vision. Heads of state referenced our call in major speeches. “It’s been an amazing success,” said Amanda McKenzie, of the Australian Youth Climate Network. “Hearing Australia’s Climate Minister Penny Wong commit to ’survival’ yesterday had me cheering in the halls. Now, it’s time to make sure she delivers.”

Actions like the one that happened 15 minutes ago aim to create the pressure to do just that. At the end of our action (after engaging with some angry UN people) several delegates and dignitaries came to thank the Youth for their action. A woman said “I am in a very high position in my government in Norway. Youth doing actions like this makes my work easier. Thank you.”

We’ve had an exciting victory, but we know we must continue to organize to make the implications of that statement meaningful - we know that any targets less than 350ppm will not insure the survival of all peoples and nations, and we know that any solution that is not equitable and just, is no solution at all.

Click below for many more photos and reflections.

While our demonstration today was not permitted by the United Nations, young people felt compelled to step outside the boundaries of rules and etiquette to ensure that the main message emerging from COP14 is one of SURVIVAL. We will continue to work year round, taking on this generational challenge.

the media reacting to us:

Photos by Shadia Fayne Wood, Ben Powless, Robert VanWaarden, and Joshua Kahn Russell.

for more photos see: http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery-show/G0000SIp4.f3wK2U

“We are meeting in extraordinary time, which is referred to many as the great depression. But the bold responses by developed countries during these trying times have also highlighted two very relevant things from our perspective. Markets are important and cannot do all by themselves. Governments must take actions setting paradigm shift,” said M S Puri, joint secretary, Ministry of External Affairs at the meeting of all parties on Tuesday on Poznan.

“The existing cleaner technologies should receive faster technology dissemination in the widest possible way,” said Puri.

An inter-ministerial delegation from India consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of External Affair, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Planning Commission and experts drawn from various governmental and other institutions are attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan.

Puri urged the United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change (UNFCCC)
to set up a funding mechanism that would procure Intellectual Property Rights and make solar, wind and other such renewable technologies available to developing countries in an affordable manner that would also compensate innovators.

“A body under the UNFCC should be set up for finances and not the World Bank as it is then subject to the World bank discretion,” said R. Rashmi, joint secretary, Ministry of Environment and. Forests (MoEF), Government of India.

“We have the same stand as G77 and China on technology transfer and financial assistance, our views are similar,” said Rashmi.

Technology innovation centres should be built at the regional centre and the research should be disseminated to enable to get the to the grass root problems, for example solar technology.
The negotiations were aimed at identifying the specific elements of a shared vision for long-term cooperative action amongst the parties (countries) for transfer of technology and provision of financial resources to support actions for mitigation and adaptation in the times of melting glaciers, rising sea levels among others.