COP15 = COP out

COP15 ended over a week ago, yet I have had some trouble writing this last blog entry. Two very significant things happened on Saturday, December 19th in Copenhagen. One of them happened in the Bella Center and the other took place in the NGO Convergence Center, the place that the NGO community had been working from since their access to the Bella Center had been cut for spacial and security reasons during the second week of the conference.

At 1pm on Saturday the Colossal Fossil Award ceremony took place. I have spoken about this award in earlier entries and I want to first put it into context. This award has been given by Climate Action Network (CAN), an international ENGO (Environmental Non-Governmental Organization) for eleven years. If you have seen it in video or in photos, you may not take it seriously. The Fossil of the Day award is given each day to the country that has blocked progress the most during the negotiations. This is the country that has said something significant or acted in a way that has halted the advance of the negotiations in some way. The recipients of this award are decided daily in CAN International meetings by CAN members. CAN is made up of approximately 400 ENGOs, a significant amount of people in attendance at the conference, and a large amount of ENGOs worldwide. This is the voice of civil society from Canada and around the world.

The award is normally given in a theatrical way. Two people present it in an award-show style, with music and props. The ceremony takes place at the end of the day in the NGO area of the conference center. NGOs, youth, and negotiators alike come together for this soberly humorous event. Humorous because of the costumes, the music, and the satyr. Sober because the award is a dubious recognition of a country's actions that have negatively impacted progress at the conference.

I have said several time throughout the negotiations that it was well-known in Copenhagen that Canada is often a blocking force at the negotiations. In fact, one time when the Canadian Youth Delegation was doing an action, a woman from New Zealand approached us to say “Canada is the only country here that makes us feel less bad". Both Canada and New Zealand are part of a group of nations known to block progress of the negotiations.

The Fossil of the Day award is always a time that I have been slightly amused, always expecting for Canada to received first, second or third place. We often do. However, on that Saturday, as all of civil society in the convergence center stood booing Canada, I was embarrassed. People all over the world know that my country and my government are doing nothing to help solve the problem that we as humans face on this planet. As I stood there watching the ceremony, I was deeply affected by it. I truly felt like my government was a) not doing what is right and b) failing to represent the voices of so many Canadians who are legitimately concerned about climate change.

I had to ask myself again, if the government is not representing the concerns of most Canadians, and they are not doing what is right, what are they doing, and who are they accountable to? How can my government just represent the marginal interests of the few who work in the oil industry of Alberta. This is further a very finite industry: these jobs will not last for long, nor will the energy or the income that results. Further, the product is not even enjoyed by Canadians, but is exported at low cost to the United States.

What will Canada be left with? An area the size of England destroyed. Absurdly high emissions. Indigenous communities whose rights are being violated, and whose health is deteriorating as a result of the water that flows downstream into their communities. We will not have people trained in the jobs of the future, we will not have alternate energy for when this resource runs out, and we will have done it all while hurting Canadians, and undermining an international movement towards sustainable living, clean energy, and innovation. Canada is going to be left in the dust.

Later that night, after 11pm just as the Canadian Youth Delegation was wrapping up our final meeting together, as we discussed the possible existence of a COP-bis (a second part to COP15) in Bonn or in Mexico City, a press conference began. President Barack Obama of the United States spoke. It was not so much what he said that disturbed me that night. I think that most of the youth, although hopeful, did not expect to get the fair, ambitious and law-binding treaty that we have been calling for. It was the way that Obama spoke that night that really upset me. He was not confident, he was certainly not sure of himself. We sat and listened and we knew very well that he knew that what he was saying was wrong. It was not enough, and the world would not be pleased.

The NGOs and youth who remained in Copenhagen sat together, silently listening to his words. This was the conference that could, attended by the man whose slogan has always been ”yes we can” – but it didn’t. He could, but he didn’t. They could, but they didn’t.

COP15 was a COP out. It was built up to such an extent that world leaders from all countries were in the Bella Center. 40,000 people were accredited for a conference center that had a capacity for 15, 000. Hopes were high. However, the results were insufficient, and honesty, unacceptable. How can we sit and accept that if we do not do more, certain parts of the world will be under water by the end of the century. Certain species will become extinct. Ways of life will be changed forever, as close to us as the Inuit communities in Northern Canada who are already feeling the effects of this change. It is unacceptable.

I went to the conference hopefully of what the UN process could achieve, and hoping that my government would not disappoint me. However, Canada was recognized once again for colossally blocking progress, and the United Nations failed to achieve what was necessary.

Next December COP16 will take place in Mexico City. It is not sure yet what the hopes and expectations will be. The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, announced that Bolivia would hold a Climate Summit in April. He said that if the UN cannot accomplish what is necessary, that the people of the world can come together and make it happen. As for me and the rest of the Canadian Youth Delegation, while disappointed, our dissatisfaction with the result of COP15, and our certainty that we are not alone, will keep us going strong and working together.

Devon Willis will be in Paris, France for the winter semester studying at Sciences Po, Paris. She will be starting a blog "In my head, around the world" shortly, so keep an eye out for it, or add her on Facebook: Devon Paige Willis, or e-mail her at devon.willis@mail.mcgill.ca.

Posted at 09:41PM on Dec 28, 2009

Dinner with Tzeporah Berman

I have met a few notable people since I've been here in Copenhagen. We have met with Naomi Klein, Elizabeth May, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Jean Charest, David Miller, and I even saw Sarah Harmer perform last night at a reception. However, I met Tzeporah Berman last night, and had dinner with her and other members of the Canadian Youth Delegation tonight. Tzeporah Berman founded Power Up last year, and has focused on mobilizing Canadians beyond changing their lightbulbs and lifestyles, convincing them to demand leadership and change from their leaders.

Tzeporah is writing a video blog during the negotiations. Check it out here: http://www.zerocarboncanada.ca/

Posted at 05:35PM on Dec 17, 2009

Youth raise money for adaptation

Today Canadian Youth took it upon themselves to fundraise money for adaptation in developing countries. Distressed by the inaction of developed countries, the youth hit the streets of Copenhagen, playing music and singing Christmas Carols, such as the Twelve Days of Copenhagen, asking passersby to help close the gap between what developed countries have committed and what developing countries are demanding.

They made a total of 100 kroner (one man generously donated 50). Furthermore, they were interviewed by "the CNN of Venezuela" and by a documentary filmmaker who is working on collecting information about the activities at the COP beyond carbon emissions reductions.

Posted at 05:08PM on Dec 17, 2009

Harper's Arrival

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be in arriving in Copenhagen today -- or has already arrived. There are great expectations that the coming of world leaders in Copenhagen will bring the result that the world is looking for. While Stephen Harper is not expected to change the current government position on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, we are still hopeful that these reduction targets will change over the course of the next few days. Furthermore, the word is that he has yet to be seen at the COP – and he will not be making a speech. Minister Prentice will be making a speech later tonight. This is his speech...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – December 17, 2009 – We have come to Copenhagen to secure a fair, effective and comprehensive climate change agreement. We need an agreement that will put us on a path toward ambitious reductions in greenhouse gases and sustainable, low-carbon economic growth. An agreement that will ensure a growing supply of clean, affordable energy for all countries. An agreement that brings countries together to address our shared global economic and environmental challenges.

Canadians of all ages and in all regions share a profound interest in contributing to effective global action on climate change.

A new global agreement should consist of a single, comprehensive undertaking that includes measurable, reportable and verifiable commitments and actions covering the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in developed and developing countries.

To be as fair and effective as possible, a new global agreement should support mutual confidence, and encourage countries to assume increased ambition over time.

It needs to speed the development and deployment of clean, low-emitting technology.

And it needs to support enhanced global action to help the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

Canada is ready to contribute its fair share, as part of a comprehensive global agreement, including fast-start funding.

Achieving such an agreement will require a renewed commitment to work together, a renewed partnership among all nations and governments. It is only through the efforts of all of us that we can protect the most vulnerable among us, including those communities and ecosystems that depend on ice and snow.

Let me conclude by recognizing the United Nations and the Government of Denmark for their tireless efforts and leadership on climate change. Canada will continue to act at home, to align its policies and commitments with those of the Obama Administration, and to work in partnership with all countries, developed and developing, who are committed to effective global action on climate change.

Posted at 04:47PM on Dec 17, 2009

Fishy, and it's not the koi pond

Dec. 16, 2009, what a day. Oddly enough, I spent this day far away from the excitement that engulfed Copenhagen and the climate talks. Tuesday was my last night at the Bella Center, and I was there from 8am until just after 1am, 17 hours. Nearly two weeks of COP15 madness pushed me to sleep in at my Copenhagen hostel.

I was left yesterday with several concerns and observations about the negotiations. The conference lacks much transparency. It seems that very few people know what is going on at any time. I was told today by David McGovern (Deputy Minister of Environment Canada) that this COP was the worst organized COP he has been to. I was in a plenary session for 3 hours last night - and left before it even started. No one seemed to know what was happening.

It appears that there are a lot of meetings and decisions happening behind closed doors. With just two official days left of negotiations, Minister Prentice said a binding agreement is unlikely to members of the Canadian Youth Delegation and the Toronto University Delegation when they ran into him at a Copenhagen restaurant this evening. Further, word is that the conference will go past Saturday, yet many delegations have flights leaving Friday.

Most civil society and press, and many delegations have no idea what is happening or what to expect. There does not seem to be any concessions being made, and tension is just continuing to rise. Civil society has been cut to just a few hundred for the duration of the conference. Stories from the inside say that the conference is far less colourful with reduced youth and civil society presence.

Another issue is the changing of the presidency yesterday. The President of the COP, Connie Hedeguard, resigned. The Prime Minister, Lars Loekke Rasmussen took over the presidency. Rumours going around indicate that Hedeguard was a lot more inclusive and transparent when working on texts, while the Danish Prime Minister has been having a lot of closed meetings with delegations, leaving many ministers excluded.

Yesterday, a protest called "Reclaim power" also took place in Copenhagen, converging at the Bella Center. The purpose of this event was to create a people's assembly outside the Bella Center to highlight the importance of civil society. However, the protest soon became violent. A few members of the Canadian Youth Delegation went with the contingent of the protest that was supposed to be non-violent, the "yellow block". However, the "green block" that was supposed to be violent was arrested before they even arrived, and some members of the blue (UN observers) and yellow (NGOs) then decided to try to pass past the wall of police and police vehicles. The result was excessive police brutality (beating and tear gas). Those members of the CYD who went to "Reclaim power" came back to the hostel very shaken up. My hopes are that the important message that people want to see leadership on climate change was not lost in the brutality.

(*It is important to note that not all protesters at the event were violent, but a small number can turn to whole even brutal - and police brutality was excessive.)

Thursday evening, Andrew Cuddy, my fellow CYDaily blogger, and I went to meet with the Principal of McGill, Heather Munroe-Blum, at a Copenhagen reception for McGill students and alumni. We had a chance to convey the concerns of the youth to Principal Munroe-Blum (an adviser on the Canadian Delegation), as well as Robert Prichard and David McGovern. We made a request for a meeting with Jim Prentice, a request we made back in October, when we first met as a delegation with the Minister. He said, "See you in Copenhagen". We hope to receive a response and confirmation in the next few days.

Thursday evening Canadian youth and international youth staged a sit-in at the Bella Center. It started off with around 30 youth, in three levels of risk, from high to low. Those in a high risk area blocked the passage of people in an area of the conference center. They stayed there for an hour and a half before they were dragged to the side by UNFCCC security. They stayed with their message, “We will not leave until we reach a fair, ambitious, and binding treaty”. They stayed until 2am when the UNFCCC kicked out all of civil society. The youth attracted a lot of media attention, including the home page of the CBC website.

Stay tuned for more exciting news in the days to come... (Please note: there is a koi pond in the Bella Center)

Posted at 07:46AM on Dec 17, 2009

Another reason we are not doing as much as the States

On November 20th, Environment Minister Prentice was quoted as saying it would be "ill-advised" to begin the transition to a low-carbon economy as "urgency is dictated [...] by not the time between today and 2020, [but] between today and 2050.” Unfortunately, preventing 2°C of warming requires that global emissions peak before 2015 ; the International Energy Agency has found that "each year of delay before moving onto the emissions path consistent with a 2°C temperature increase would add approximately $500 billion to the global incremental investment cost of $10.5 trillion" and that a "delay of just a few years would probably render that goal completely out of reach.” It is no surprise then that Prentice’s position is the polar opposite than that of President Obama who hopes that the outcome of Copenhagen will have an “immediate operational effect” in reducing emissions.

Posted at 09:06AM on Dec 16, 2009

Hard Start for Prentice

I have at times considered that I would like to be Minister of the Environment. As Environment Minister, I would put into place the various policies necessary to ensure a balance between our environment, our lives, and our livelihoods. However, this past week I would not have wanted to be in the shoes of Minister Jim Prentice.

Minister Prentice has received a lot of heat this week. Granted that the attention was warranted, mostly because of lies told to the Canadian people and our international allies, Prentice has also had some unpleasant surprises to deal with, and the inconvenient youth at the conference center.

First, Monday started off with a quite surprising news story: Canada had committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990s levels and had agreed that financing to developing countries should be a priority, acknowledging what he calls climate debt. I first found out about this statement from other NGOs here in Copenhagen, and the news spread like wildfire – some ecstatic, others suspicious. It turned out to be a hoax, a prank run by the Yes Men, a group known internationally for their multi-layered and high profile pranks. (http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2009/12/whos-behind-the-hoax.html)

The story did not end there. Hours later, just after 5pm in Eastern Canada, the CBC leaked a draft document that was to be presented to the Cabinet by Environment Canada before the negotiations in Copenhagen. The document suggests lowering the emissions reductions from the tarsands - to targets only 1/3 as ambitious as under the 2007 plan "Turning the corner". The Canadian government has been accused of lying to Canadians and to the international community about its emissions targets, and Climate Action Network Canada argues that Canada never had any intention to reach its greenhouse gas targets of 20% below 1990 levels by 2020 (a plan that is widely seen as both not adequate, and not doable with the governments current policy measures). The government's policies do not match its rhetoric.

This document explained that reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands would be lowered by a cut of 48 megatonnes, to one of 15 megatonnes. However, there was not mention of lowering the target. Therefore, one would expect that the burden would be borne by non-oil producing provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia - all of which have already taken significant steps to fight climate change. The sad part: this was not a prank (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-eyes-breaks-for-oil-sands/article1401248/)

Jim Prentice was even snubbed by Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary. Chu declined a photo-op with Prentice at a meeting on Monday. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/expedition-copenhagen/steven-chu-snubs-canadas_b_392842.html)

To top it all off, the Canadian Youth Delegation, and other Canadian youth in attendance at the conference, organized several actions at the conference targeting the Canadian government's lies to Canadians and the international community about emissions targets ("A lie for a lie" lie-in), their failure to lead or follow ("Lead, Follow, or Go Home"), and their failure to represent the majority of Canadians by not taking climate change seriously ("Represent CANADA or Go Home). (cydcopenhagen.org)

With only three official days left of negotiations, protests expected to start outside the conference center later this week as access to the negotiations becomes increasingly limited, and heads of state arriving on Thursday, the conference and the hype around it - and equally expectations - cannot help but intensify going forward.

Posted at 03:50PM on Dec 15, 2009

Canada fails to lead, fails to follow (part 2)

The climate legislation passed by the House of Representatives in June (the Waxman-Markey bill) has been projected to reduce emissions by between 16-22% below 1990 levels by 2020 if its complimentary regulations (to the cap) and international investments to reduce tropical deforestation are taken into account – much closer to the IPCC's minimum 25% target. Moreover, the US 2050 target is far more ambitious than Canada’s. Canada's target is still at 3% below 1990 levels by 2020... (more news on breaking developments coming soon).

Part 3... coming tomorrow.

Posted at 02:41PM on Dec 15, 2009

Accountable to whom?

This morning I went to the half-hour briefing that the Canadian Delegation runs in the morning for Canadians at the Bella Center. I've been there many times, but this time I arrived with a question.

Yesterday morning the meeting - the last meeting that all of civil society from Canada could attend as access started to be limited as of today, and will become increasingly limited as heads of state and their attachés arrive in Copenhagen and at the conference center (the Secretariat accredited 40, 000 people while the center has space for just 15, 000) - was a full house. All the seats were filled and many more stood and listened from the back of the room. The important part was the sheer diversity of Canadians in the room, from farmers to steelworkers to NGOs to indigenous peoples; youth, professionals, academics, politicians, and faith groups alike. These people came from all parts of Canada, East to West, North to South, and from rural regions as well as cities. Not everyone in that room would call themselves an environmentalist, and their concerns were not limited to the environment. They could not be put into a box called 'Environmentalists', 'Activists', or 'Treehuggers'. They represented so well that all Canadians are concerned about climate change and feel that the government is not fairly representing their concerns or values at these negotiations and in domestic climate policy.

A man from a labour union in Quebec emotionally asked if Michael Martin (chief negotiator) and other members of CAN DEL has considered those that will be disadvantaged in Canada as a result of the insistence by Canada that we use a 2006 base year. His reason was that many have significantly reduced their emissions between 1990 (the year recognized internationally as a base year for emissions reductions) and 2006, and would therefore have to reduce significantly more, and at a greater price, than industries that ignored climate change have only just started, or will soon be starting, to regulate their emissions.

I was empowered in that instance because I realized that Canadians want change. Canadians do not want to be embarrassed by their government's policies on climate change, as David Miller, Mayor of Toronto, stated he was on Friday. Canada's do not want to obstruct the negotiations, or garner a bad international reputation.

I started to wonder, who exactly was being represented by our country's position in Copenhagen - whose interests? Surely not my own. As a young person I can see that the inaction of the government of Canada today and this week in Copenhagen will have serious repercussions on ... my future, as cliché as that may sound. I cannot stand for a government that does not represent its people, who has fundamentally violated the contract between citizens and leaders.

I came to the briefing this morning with a question: If the government's positions clearly does not represent the concerns of youth, students, workers, academics, municipal leaders, provincial leaders, athletes, professionals, indigenous peoples, immigrants - and so many other Canadians- who precisely does their position benefit, and whose voice are they being swayed by?

The answer? Michael Martin responded that the question was of a political nature and therefore not his to answer. This, I knew. Martin speaks to policy and just policy. But, Martin is the only person we have access to. Our representatives, who are supposed to be accountable to Canadians, Prime Minister Harper, and Minister Prentice, have not confirmed a meeting with Canadian Youth. Further, the problem is not specifically policy-related. Rather, it is a question of accountability. The House of Commons voted in favour of a motion for better a emissions reductions target, and a recent poll states that 74% of Canadians 'believe the government must go further in the fight against climate change and adopt a more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions target’ (a poll by Léger Marketing released on Thursday by Équiterre).

Canadians must be given the chance to express their concerns to the government, and it is unacceptable that the only person we have access to is one who says quite clearly that he is not accountable to us, but rather, accountable to the government. We cannot have our concerns addressed by a person who is not accountable to Canadians.

Posted at 02:31PM on Dec 15, 2009

The Failure of a Follower

Choosing not to lead on climate, Canada has opted to follow the US – with Environment Minister Prentice continually emphasizing that "harmonization" between US and Canadian policies are "absolutely crucial." But although Canada's emissions reduction target of 20% below 2006 levels (3% below 1990 levels) by 2020 is roughly the same as President Obama’s provisional target of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020, Canada is failing to follow the US in three important respects:

The U.S. Congress is currently considering comprehensive legislation that would both establish and clearly meet the U.S. target — notably, via an economy-wide cap-and-trade system, energy efficiency standards, investment in renewable energies, and other complementary regulations. Canada‘s target, despite being announced two-and-a-half years ago, appears in no current legislation being considered by Parliament and the federal government has continually delayed releasing a domestic plan to meet it. Likewise, Canada is the only G7 country without a national program to support renewable energy , with the US investing 14 times more per capita in renewable energy.

Part 2 and 3 still to come.

Posted at 03:52PM on Dec 14, 2009

Canadian Government Does Not Represent Canadians

While the federal government stalls at the climate negotiations in Ottawa, Canadians are making it evident, back home and at the negotiations, that the minority Canadian government is failing to represent Canadians at these negotiations, and that Canadians are embarrassed.

On Friday, mayor of Toronto, David Miller, accepted the Fossil of the Day award at Copenhagen on behalf of Canada. He then walked with young Canadians during the march through Copenhagen on Saturday. Further, yesterday Ontario and Quebec announced that the relationship between the provinces and territories of Canada could “become rocky” if federal government does not commit to strong emissions reductions. It may be hard for provinces like Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and BC to maintain a good rapport with oil-rich provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan if the former are being disadvantaged by the boom in tar sands oil.

There were 404 actions nationwide on Saturday calling for a better commitment to fighting climate change in Canada. While Canada has hosted the most actions of any country in support of better actions on climate change, their calls are falling on deaf ears.

Canadian Youth delegates met with Premier Jean Charest on Sunday afternoon in Copenhagen. They expressed their hope that Quebec can pressure the Canadian Delegation to commit to better targets this week. Further, they commented on the needs in Quebec, from energy efficiency to public transit, and the CYD’s expressed disapproval of a tar sands oil being pumped from Alberta through Quebec to the United States, and the remaking of the Turcot interchange, a huge project in Montreal that activists claim will just augment traffic in the city.

This morning at the last Canadian Delegation briefing that all of accrediting civil society could attend, the room was filled to capacity, with over 50 Canadians in attendance. Ranging from youth to farmers to workers to professionals, they expressed their concerns and asked tough question. It is evident that the cities, provinces, youth, farmers, workers, and professionals of Canada are unsatisfied with the current emissions reductions and the conduct of our government at these negotiations. I cannot help but wonder who precisely the Canadian Delegation is representing here in Copenhagen, because it is surely not the majority of Canadians.

Posted at 09:00AM on Dec 14, 2009

Developed perspective from the "developing world"

I knew when I was there this past summer that Bolivia was a special place. Aside from the true generosity and thoughtfulness of Bolivian people, the new constitution recognizes the intrinsic rights of Mother Earth, and advocates environmental protection. Further, the country has a slew of national parks and otherwise protected areas. Lastly, Bolivians have a tradition to give generously to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) before consuming food or drink -- I remember this most clearly when I was in a sweltering club in a small Amazonian town called Rurrenabaque. After being given a bottle of nearly 1L of beer, our guide (a Bolivian) promptly spilled a bit of it for the Pachmama before drinking. The Bolivian mentality is truly one that recognizes humanity's position as a part of nature, and the importance of an environment that can sustain human life.

My interest in Bolivia led me to attend several events about that country this past week at COP15. One of them was about the effort by Bolivia to advocate for a UN Declaration on Mother Nature's Rights. The conference organizers wanted to emphasize the importance of referring to Earth as Mother Earth, because one cannot conceive of hurting one's mother. We should cherish our mother, and recognize the needs that she satisfies; and when she is suffering, we must protect and take care of her. This is the reality: The Earth sustains us. For the Earth to sustain us it must be healthy. If we deteriorate the environment, it cannot provide us with our most basic needs.

Bolivia has put the most ambitious proposal on the table for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol: 49% below 1990 levels by 2017. Unfortunately, Bolivia is having trouble getting this story picked up by the media, as the conference has focused largely on the Island nations, the United States, China, India, and African nations. There is good reason to focus on the aforementioned, but the voices and propositions of innovative countries like Bolivia have received inadequate consideration.

This leads me to question the term "development", particularly "developed" vs. "developing". The developed world sees the problem all too clearly: climate change is a threat to human life. The developed world have been stalling, refusing to take responsibility for the damage that we legitimately have caused - the impacts of which are already being felt in many parts of the world. I cannot help but admire the Bolivian delegation -- though I am not saying that all that is Bolivia and its policies are perfect -- for their vision and their truly developed mindset.

Posted at 01:43PM on Dec 12, 2009

Youth Take Conference Center By Storm

International youth took the conference center by storm today as they stood in solidarity with youth from Island nations. They held a sign quoting the president of the Maldives, “We will not die silently”. Hundreds of youth, all wearing t-shirts that said “How Old Will You Be in 2050?” for Youth and Future Generations Day, imitated the sound of a rainstorm with their bodies, a powerful wake up call to negotiators at the conference center. Their message was that we are all in this together, and we cannot stand by and allow for the most vulnerable and sensitive people in the world to be left unheard during these negotiations.

Posted at 01:18PM on Dec 10, 2009

STOP TARring Our Image, Canada

Just outside the plenary meeting at the UN Climate Summit this afternoon, Canadian youth staged their first action. The message? The tar sands are "tarring" Canada's international image. As a result of the tar sands, Canada cannot meet its emissions target under Kyoto, and if we continue to develop the tar sands we will not be able to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases enough to deal with dangerous climate change.

Our international reputation is suffering. The world knows that Canada is a obstructive force at the UNFCCC negotiations, and we have already won three fossil awards at this summit; one to ourselves, and the other two as part of the Annexe 1 countries, and the Umbrella group. The Canadian Delegation is not looking for significant change at this conference. In fact, they have declared they will not be changing Canada's targets although they are clearly inadequate.

In conjunction with this action, the CYD released a report by Climate Action Network Canada, Environmental Defense, Équiterre, and Forest Ethics called "Tarnishing The Maple Leaf: How the Tar Sands Drive Canada's Climate Positions". This report states that while accounting for 5% of Canada's emissions, the tar sands are the single largest contributor to growth in emissions and single largest source of projected new emissions and their emissions have increased more than 200% since 1990. Further, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technologies are not sufficient to deal with the problem as they in no way help curb our use of fossil fuels when we have the capabilities to use energy from wind, solar, and wave. CCS just sticks emissions of Co2 into the ground, risking leaks and promising continued and increasing oil extraction. Instead, we should invest in clean energy technologies which are sustainable and stable, and provide jobs while in no way compromising environmental integrity.

Posted at 12:17PM on Dec 09, 2009

Sleep-in for Climate Justice

On the anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death, nearly 50 youth at the UN Climate Summit re-enacted the famous bed-in that Lennon and Yoko Ono did in Montreal in 1969. The young people were asking for a chance. They were asking that the parties in attendance at the conference listen to the young people’s message, “we are at this paramount conference and did a bed-in for climate change to ask the world leaders to wake up, and acknowledge that we are all in bed with climate change together and that we need to work together,” said Amber Church from the Canadian. “They must give the youth a chance because they are negotiating our future”.

The youth sung “All we’re saying is give youth a chance, all we’re saying is cut greenhouse gas”. This is just one of several actions that the over 1, 000 youth will be organizing throughout the conference to draw attention to the importance of achieving an agreement in Copenhagen.

Posted at 10:07AM on Dec 09, 2009