On Friday I travelled with over 100 other Christian Aid supporters to Copenhagen, to take part in the civil society actions in the middle weekend of the climate summit. With the talks in deadlock, the presence of thousands of activists from all over the world acted as a reminder that we expect results, and are still hopeful for them. We march to ask for a effective and legally binding deal, which commits to 80% carbon dioxide cuts in industrialised nations like Britain by 2050, and offers a considerable level of support to developing countries, to enable them draw their citizens out of poverty, but without polluting substantially as we have done (this has been called a "leapfrog fund").
After a 19 hour trip, we arrived at 1.00am on Friday evening to stay in a local school, who had kindly agreed to allow us all to descend on their gym floor for the weekend. Saturday, after a morning of placard making and cold showers, saw us join over 100 000 campaigners from throughout the world, in a march from the centre of town, to The Bella Centre where the talks are taking place. APRODEV organisations, including Christian Aid, came together under the 'Time for Climate Justice' banner (APRODEV is the association of the 17 major development and humanitarian aid organisations in Europe, which work closely together with the World Council of Churches).
The demonstration, known as 'The Flood' (The Wave's bigger sister!) was fantastic. At the start of the march we met 28 cyclists, who had spent three days cycling from London, raising a total of £50, 000 in sponsorship towards Christian Aid's development programmes. The opening rally included concerned celebrities like Helena Christensen, and experts like Friends of the Earth International Director Nnimmo Bassey.
News coverage across Europe yesterday focused heavily on the 900 people held by the Danish police early on in the demonstration - when the 'black block' (an anarchist group identified by their black 'uniform') were rounded up, along with hundreds of regular marches who happened to stray into their path - but, as is often the case with media representation, this event was a minor blot in an otherwise fantastic, peaceful and fun day. A samba band, great chants, and some genius adjustments to Christmas lyrics ("Copenhagen are you listening/ In the land where snow is glistening/ If we keep on warming up, the planet like this/ We won't be walking in a winter wonderland") made for a carnival-like atmosphere. Christian Aid, and other NGOs like the World Development Movement, had welcomed international partners from the majority world, who joined us wearing their traditional dress and adding an authentic voice to our claim that climate change is an issue of justice: the developing world being adversely affected by a problem essentially begun by the rich West. Recognising the breadth of support and the level of interest from all over the world, which obviously included a strong presence from Europe, was exciting and hugely encouraging.
On Sunday APRODEV groups, including Christian Aid and the DanChurchAid, started the day with a 'Hopenhagen' rally in the centre of town. Desmond Tutu presented Yvo de Boer (who is currently the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change) with a 'Countdown to Copenhagen' clock representing the 512894 people who had signed the Countdown to Copenhagen pledge, calling on world leaders to act fair and fast, as well as pledging to reduce their own carbon footprints. Tutu, who was clearly revered by the crowd, spoke passionately about of affects of climate change on Africa - "God is crying [when he sees what we are doing to the planet]", he said. But when we join together as one people, in a celebration to call on our governments to act, "God is beginning to smile". He called on Yvo de Boer to represent the people of developing world, and chastised the leaders at the UN Summit, saying "People in the conference centre are fretting in the conference over a financial, economic and industrial crisis - it's actually a moral and environmental crisis". Towards the end of his speech, the crowd chanted "Yes we can!", and I personally wanted to burst out into cheers and woops when Tutu was arguing that the richer nations needed to assist developing countries to develop, with polluting the atmosphere in the way that we have done: "They can afford it. Just think of the money that is being spent on arms, just think of the money that is being spent to kill their brothers!!"
This was followed by an ecumenical service in Copenhagen's Cathedral, where Archbishop Rowan Williams gave an inspiring sermon, and Desmond Tutu offered the blessing in his mother tongue. Representatives from faith groups in Greenland, Zambia, Denmark and Tuvalu participated in the service, which was attended by a packed congregation, an overflow of over 100 people in the University Hall, and a small crowd of people outside the Cathedral watching in the freezing cold on a big screen. The weekend ended for us with another monster coach journey, ending at 9.00am this morning back in London.
We all had an amazing time. The Christian Aid group included seasoned and mature supporters, a group of Platform2 returnees (Platform2 is a government-funded scheme to allow people who haven't had a chance to travel, to opportunity to volunteer abroad for 10 weeks), a group of students and their chaplains from Lancaster University, and a People and Planet group from Bristol. Climate change seems to be an issue that has the power to spur a whole variety of groups into action, and unite under one banner. We have little choice but to come together. Climate change is a cumulative problem, that needs to be dealt with at an international level, with no nations or communities left unpersuaded that they need to act. For as Desmond Tutu argued on Sunday, "this is one problem, where we'll all be winners or all be losers". Whatever deal comes out of Copenhagen, it's imperative that all over the world people put pressure on governments, industry and their local communities to slash their carbon emissions, and consciously discern the affects their actions have on the only planet we have been given.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Climate Justice in Copenhagen?
Marching through the streets of Copenhagen with thousands of people from all over the world, representing hundreds of organisations - it couldn't get more exciting than that, could it?
This was the second march I've been on in a week, as I took part in The Wave in London last Saturday. I am in Copenhagen at the COP15 Climate Summit with the Tearfund team. We marched with two members of Tear Netherlands, met a man from Mission East (a Danish Christian NGO) and later on met two members of 24/7 prayer, with whom we will be sharing brunch and praying tomorrow. It was so exciting to bump into all these people, as we had prayed that God would cause us to meet the right people at the right time today.
There were many more bicycles today in Copenhagen than at The Wave in London, and some very creative and inventive costumes.
Praise God for a fun and safe march today, and for the progress made in the talks over the past week. Please pray for the Tearfund team, for continued and renewed energy and excitement for the week ahead, as the world leaders arrive.
It is so exciting to be in Copenhagen, and it will be even more exciting if world leaders can secure a strong and fair deal, so that the poorest will be protected and climate justice will be a reality.
This was the second march I've been on in a week, as I took part in The Wave in London last Saturday. I am in Copenhagen at the COP15 Climate Summit with the Tearfund team. We marched with two members of Tear Netherlands, met a man from Mission East (a Danish Christian NGO) and later on met two members of 24/7 prayer, with whom we will be sharing brunch and praying tomorrow. It was so exciting to bump into all these people, as we had prayed that God would cause us to meet the right people at the right time today.
There were many more bicycles today in Copenhagen than at The Wave in London, and some very creative and inventive costumes.
Praise God for a fun and safe march today, and for the progress made in the talks over the past week. Please pray for the Tearfund team, for continued and renewed energy and excitement for the week ahead, as the world leaders arrive.
It is so exciting to be in Copenhagen, and it will be even more exciting if world leaders can secure a strong and fair deal, so that the poorest will be protected and climate justice will be a reality.
Friday, 11 December 2009
On the side
The first week of UNFCCC conferences is always packed with tremendously interesting and informative "side events". These are lectures, seminars or discussions on virtually any aspect of climate change put on by groups from across the world. Space on-site is much sought after in the months leading up to the conference, and Christian Aid was fortunate not only to secure a venue for its panel discussion today but also to have Naomi Klein as one of the panellists.
In response to a question about integrating legal rights into the climate change debate, Ms Klein said it was no longer a question of a right to development but a right to survival. Referring to the plight of the people of Tuvalu, highlighted earlier in the week, Naomi Klein continued: 'It's not just about climate refugees but about cultures disappearing under the waves'. She quoted the President of Sri Lanka who had referred to 'a benign form of genocide' and suggested that it was not particularly benign.
She went on: 'After having all the information in front of us and choosing to do nothing, we cannot plead ignorance. I woke up this morning thinking about the word "adaptation". We have had seminars about adaptation in Bangladesh. Why are they the only ones adapting to climate change? We need seminars about how the rich world needs to adapt to climate change, by shopping less and so on, not just Bangladesh.'
The presence of young people at these conferences has become much more marked in the last few years, and last night some of them were out and about in the city of Copenhagen. Led by DanChurch Aid (Christian Aid's Danish sister agency) they organised a 'follow me flash mob', created by using mobile phones and social networking sites, and in the cold and wet, a long stream of people, not all of them particularly young, made their way to a refugee climate camp in the heart of the city. Here, Jack, a gap year volunteer from Christian Aid in Wales, explained to a slightly puzzled American television interviewer why it was important. They were there, he said, to draw the attention of this busy city to people in countries like Kenya being forced to leave their homes because of the changing climate.
Whatever the outcome of negotiations next week, both delegates and local people can hardly fail to come away from Copenhagen rather better informed than they were even a few days ago. And some of them will have had quite a bit of fun in the process.
In response to a question about integrating legal rights into the climate change debate, Ms Klein said it was no longer a question of a right to development but a right to survival. Referring to the plight of the people of Tuvalu, highlighted earlier in the week, Naomi Klein continued: 'It's not just about climate refugees but about cultures disappearing under the waves'. She quoted the President of Sri Lanka who had referred to 'a benign form of genocide' and suggested that it was not particularly benign.
She went on: 'After having all the information in front of us and choosing to do nothing, we cannot plead ignorance. I woke up this morning thinking about the word "adaptation". We have had seminars about adaptation in Bangladesh. Why are they the only ones adapting to climate change? We need seminars about how the rich world needs to adapt to climate change, by shopping less and so on, not just Bangladesh.'
The presence of young people at these conferences has become much more marked in the last few years, and last night some of them were out and about in the city of Copenhagen. Led by DanChurch Aid (Christian Aid's Danish sister agency) they organised a 'follow me flash mob', created by using mobile phones and social networking sites, and in the cold and wet, a long stream of people, not all of them particularly young, made their way to a refugee climate camp in the heart of the city. Here, Jack, a gap year volunteer from Christian Aid in Wales, explained to a slightly puzzled American television interviewer why it was important. They were there, he said, to draw the attention of this busy city to people in countries like Kenya being forced to leave their homes because of the changing climate.
Whatever the outcome of negotiations next week, both delegates and local people can hardly fail to come away from Copenhagen rather better informed than they were even a few days ago. And some of them will have had quite a bit of fun in the process.
Things to watch for from Copenhagen
At the Copenhagen climate change talks, three broad groups are emerging:
Firstly, there are the traditional developed nations (or, in climate change speak, the ‘Annex 1’ nations). They have historic responsibility for almost all of the greenhouse gas emissions, but most still seem to be using the talks to further their own self-interests, rather than the broader interests of humanity.
They have the moral responsibility to make the greatest contribution to solving the problems that are being faced here. They bear historical responsibility for putting the carbon into the atmosphere, and have reaped the rewards of industrialisation, indeed sometimes through colonisation and exploitation of raw materials from less developed countries.
Secondly, there is a group comprising Brazil, South Africa, India and China (referred to as the BASIC group). They are the wealthiest of the developing nations, and are set to be the source of some 60% of greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2030 as they continue on their development trajectory. They need to play their part in the negotiations.
The remaining group is made up of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Least Developed Countries, and the Africa Group. They are the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are also the countries where World Vision works with communities to tackle poverty. Climate change could undermine much of this good work and affect the health and well-being of millions.
Historically, these nations have been responsible for a negligible amount of greenhouse gas emissions, yet they are already being affected. In fact some of the small islands may soon cease to exist; others are approaching tipping points from which they may never recover.
Yesterday was Human Rights Day, and in a presentation made by members from AOSIS, we were reminded of what they face: where will their populations be relocated to as sea levels rise and flood their islands? What will be their rights in their ‘host’ countries? What will happen to their sovereign rights? What rights does a displaced nation hold?
Next week, the world’s leaders will be judged on the agreement they make – the pathway they choose and how committed they are to solving the climate change problem. They face a number of decisions, but here are the key points to watch:
Firstly, there are the traditional developed nations (or, in climate change speak, the ‘Annex 1’ nations). They have historic responsibility for almost all of the greenhouse gas emissions, but most still seem to be using the talks to further their own self-interests, rather than the broader interests of humanity.
They have the moral responsibility to make the greatest contribution to solving the problems that are being faced here. They bear historical responsibility for putting the carbon into the atmosphere, and have reaped the rewards of industrialisation, indeed sometimes through colonisation and exploitation of raw materials from less developed countries.
Secondly, there is a group comprising Brazil, South Africa, India and China (referred to as the BASIC group). They are the wealthiest of the developing nations, and are set to be the source of some 60% of greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2030 as they continue on their development trajectory. They need to play their part in the negotiations.
The remaining group is made up of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Least Developed Countries, and the Africa Group. They are the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are also the countries where World Vision works with communities to tackle poverty. Climate change could undermine much of this good work and affect the health and well-being of millions.
Historically, these nations have been responsible for a negligible amount of greenhouse gas emissions, yet they are already being affected. In fact some of the small islands may soon cease to exist; others are approaching tipping points from which they may never recover.
Yesterday was Human Rights Day, and in a presentation made by members from AOSIS, we were reminded of what they face: where will their populations be relocated to as sea levels rise and flood their islands? What will be their rights in their ‘host’ countries? What will happen to their sovereign rights? What rights does a displaced nation hold?
Next week, the world’s leaders will be judged on the agreement they make – the pathway they choose and how committed they are to solving the climate change problem. They face a number of decisions, but here are the key points to watch:
- We need to put a limit on how much more global temperatures can increase. This limit should be 1.5 degrees if the most vulnerable are going to have a chance to survive and enjoy reasonable health
- There needs to be funding in the order of some $150 billion per annum by 2020, if we are going to be able to address the immediate impacts of climate change, particularly on the most vulnerable, including women, children and disabled people.
- The nature of any agreement reached here must be legally binding (not ‘politically binding’) so that it will be enforceable. We must be able to hold governments to account if they break their promises.
Age of Stupid on BBC4 - Monday 14th at 10pm
This Monday (14th Dec) the climate film that has been making lots of headlines, The Age of Stupid, will be shown on BBC4 at 10pm - and we believe available on the BBC iPlayer after. If you have not yet seen this film, now is a great opportunity!
The Age of Stupid is a film starring Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at actual footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?
“We could have saved ourselves, but we didn’t. It’s amazing. What state of mind were we in, to face extinction and simply shrug it off?… We wouldn’t be the first life form to make itself extinct. But what would be unique about us is that we did it knowingly. What does that say about us?”
The film uses a mix of news footage from the past few years, along with widely accepted scientific predictions, to paint a picture of the impact that climate change is having, and will have, upon the earth and humankind. Weaving in and out of this are the stories of a diverse group of real people from across the world – a wind farm developer, a business man starting the first cheap airline in India, a glacier climbing guide, a woman suffering the consequences of oil spills in Nigeria, a retired scientist who has spent his life searching for oil, and the demonstrators against a local wind-farm. The film presents these peoples lives so that you catch glimpses of some of the apparent contradictions, and attempts to try and not answer those contradictions too much, leaving the viewer to chew on them instead. This is a brave, helpful move… we’ve all got contradictions in our responses to such a complex issue… and the ‘holier than though’ approach only ends up alienating everyone from each other. Read More
Thursday, 10 December 2009
After The Wave
It was so exciting to be part of a movement of people all calling for climate justice. There were so many different organisations being represented by people of all ages and beliefs. The photographs show some of the placards with powerful messages to world leaders.
After the march, I went to a meeting with representatives from every organisation in the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition. Ed Miliband, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change took many questions from organisations such as UNICEF, the Wildlife Trust, Tearfund, Greenpeace and the NHS. One question from a member of the youth Stop Climate Chaos Coalition asked Ed whether young people would get their voices heard at Copenhagen, and afterwards, in government talks on climate change. Ed answered that during a meeting held the day before, Gordon Brown said: "Just do it", so from Copenhagen onwards, there will be young people on the advisory board at the Department for Energy and Climate Change. This is a really positive step forward and will hopefully mean that action on climate change will move from conversations round tables to action on the ground.
From Humbo to Copenhagen
Assefa Tofu joined World Vision Ethiopia about 5 years ago. He has a background in ago-forestry, and was surprised when he joined the organisation to find that it did not work specifically on environmental issues.
I chatted to Assefa yesterday afternoon: he is convinced that environmental issues in general, and climate change in particular, are a root cause of the poverty that he sees in his country. For him, the two issues cannot be separated.
He is now in charge of World Vision’s first climate change mitigation project, a community-managed reforestation project in Humbo, in the south west part of Ethiopia. It has been hailed as a highly successful example of a development reforestation project that benefits the environment through natural resource management and increased biodiversity. It also contributes to poverty alleviation in the community by creating a new community-based income stream through the generation of carbon offset credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – a system that is part of the Kyoto Protocol, and that is reserved for developing countries.
The project uses a technique called Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration to restore indigenous, bio-diverse forest species. It has enabled the rural communities to own their own forests and forest products and see significant forest restoration over a relatively short period. The project is an example of how community participation, scientific knowledge and practical application can come together to benefit poor communities.
Assefa is also part of the official Ethiopian Government delegation here at the Copenhagen Climate Change talks. He has been included as a technical expert to advise the Ethiopian government. For him, this has been a remarkable experience as he has had to make regular shifts from dealing with on-the-ground effects of climate change in Humbo, to working with his government team on the position they should take for the country, and then to the international negotiation table itself.
I find the climate change talks an incredibly complex and complicated process that is difficult and exhausting to follow. Through his engagement with the process over a longer period of time, and with his experience and witness of climate change on the ground, this man of God seems to be thriving and making a real contribution, both for his country’s delegation and also for the World Vision team.
For more information: www.worldvision.org.uk
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