Daniele Saguto and Iva Muharremi, Youth Press Agency, Italy
‘There comes a point where the only option is to say enough is enough and to leave. With the science clearer than ever on the risk posed by dangerous climate change, Heads of State need to step in and show leadership and drive this process forward.’ (Samantha Smith, leader of WWF’s global climate and energy initiative)‘Enough is enough’: These are the first words of the joint statement (full text here) from the various environmental groups and NGOs that yesterday decided to leave the National Stadium at 14:00 in protest. An unprecedented decision in the history of the COPs that has highlighted the deep distance between civil society and the policy-makers who have repeatedly failed to take decisive and effective decisions.
‘Polluters talk, we walk’
This was written on the banner held by the demonstrators we met on the street. Their eyes were strong and determined, as were the ideas they aimed to advance.
The message they spread is clear. They denounce power politics and lobbying which have led to the prioritisation of big companies’ interests. That includes the actions of the hosts of COP who, by hosting the Coal and Climate Summit have increased visibility. Friday is the final day of the conference and the negotiations have lost all credibility. Many states have baulked at the time of reckoning (including, among others, Japan, Australia, Canada and Poland). There simply is not any will to reduce emissions, and a funding agreement between the Parties appears to be a very distant prospect.
The protest groups, including Greenpeace International, WWF , Oxfam International, ActionAid International, Friends of the Earth Europe and the International Trade Union Confederation collectively walked out, handing their official UNFCCC badges in on the way.
‘Volveremos’ (We’ll be back)
‘This is not about giving up, but is about taking the struggle to a different level. If we are to get a solution out of this COP we need people around the world to start – in every country – putting pressure on their governments to actually come to these COPs with a very strong mandate which has serious levels of ambition with regards to cutting carbon.’ (Greenpeace Executive Director Kumi Naidoo)
They were not walking away from the UNFCCC process entirely, promising to return for the talks in Lima, Peru, in 2014, more organised, more determined and stronger.
We will meet at COP 20.
Giulia Carlini, Youth Press Agency, Italy
‘I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.’ Like in Blade Runner, are negotiators just robot replicas?
Let me describe to you what I have experienced over the last two weeks.
I saw a city hosting a COP and a Coal Summit simultaneously. I saw controversial sponsors and questionable lobbyists in the corridors.
I heard observers snoring during side-events and met those seeming surprised to hear that I know COP 20 is to be held in Lima.
I watched old delegates chatting up young girls and consultants wander around in search of free buffets.
I saw people watching music videos during the conferences and others forgetting to log out from the computer centre, leaving their confidential documents on the screen.
I observed ‘journalists’ copying colleagues’ articles and people attending meetings just to spread their business cards.
Again, like in Blade Runner: ‘all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.” Or like CO2 in the atmosphere.
Time to…change!
I have also seen things that gave me hope.
I saw the world moved to tears by the deaths resulting from a Typhoon in the Philippines and negotiators collecting money to help the country.
I listened to volunteers from all over the world saying they worked for months just to pay for their trip to COP, and NGOs organising actions to influence the negotiations.
I heard professors giving advice for young students’ futures, and Indigenous Peoples taught me that we can conceive the land as an inalienable good.
I read accurate and insightful publications written by journalists who stand watch over these late meetings and I saw civil society leaving COP in protest.
I saw negotiators with bags under their eyes because they have worked all night long and speakers at risk of fainting because they did not have time to eat.
Friday is the last day of COP 19, and the world’s eyes are upon us. Let us hope these moments will NOT be lost in time. – Outreach Magazine
