| 5th Annual "Conference of Youth" Highlights Youth Call for Climate Action |
COPENHAGEN, 7 December 2009
Youth climate leaders from over 100 countries gathered together for two packed days this weekend to learn, share, and plan how they will directly influence the outcomes of the critical UN Climate Summit. They are calling for bold and immediate climate leadership by their governments, to protect their future and the lives of future generations threatened now by climate change.
Present at the summit in unprecedented numbers, youth are increasingly working together across national boundaries to be an effective force for change within the global climate negotiations, and to advocate for and implement climate solutions in their home countries. For the first time, youth are now recognised as an official constituency within the negotiations. “We are here in Copenhagen to make sure our governments deliver the fair, ambitious, binding deal our future demands”, said 26 year old Anna Rose, Co-director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, whose family farm has been decimated by drought. "Our destiny will not be written for us, it will be written by us."
Sathya Balasubramaniam, a 22 year old youth delegate from India used the Conference of Youth to learn about the summit and prepare for the weeks ahead. "I really enjoyed the session on how to use a day at COP effectively," he said. "I learned how to stay focused on why we are here." Reiko Ichimura, 28, from Japan has followed the growth of the International Youth Climate Movement for the last three years. "We are building a very diverse movement," she said. "At the Conference of Youth I met young people from other countries with some perspectives I never thought about before." “We’re fighting for our very survival,” said Tinebeb Yohannes, a 24 year old from Ethiopia who organized a 15,000 person march in Addis Ababa on the October 24th International Day of Climate Action. “Science says that survival equals 350 ppm1. That means we need action now. Not next year, now.”
During the UN Climate Summit, youth aim to make their voices heard in Copenhagen and beyond. Youth-led actions, events, and presentations are planned for every day of the meetings. Email lists, blogs, Facebook groups, and Twitter updates will keep youth in Copenhagen connected with their peers outside the talks more than ever before.
http://medsincop.wordpress.com/ (with blog and videos) |
