Georgie Burr

What a week it has been. I’ve observed various international meetings and side events, where the urgency of climate change is often stressed. Unfortunately, it seems countries and their delegates are not mirroring the seriousness of the situation with urgency of action.

As European youth, we decided that the EU needed a little prod in the right direction with their upcoming Climate and Energy package. If the EU announces a strong climate package, the whole negotiating machinery here would be massively boosted.

So, we made our own package, complete with emissions cuts of 40% by 2020 (all to come from inside the EU) and an adequate fund for developing countries for both adaptation and mitigation. We made this package in the conference centre to assorted media, international delegates and other youth accompanied by loud cheers, of course.

Click here to watch a video of our action.

In parallel we sent a letter to our MEP’s. In response we hope they'll be producing a strong climate and energy package asap.

It is easy to get caught up in all the politics of climate negotiations and forget the real reason for the conference taking place: potential climate catastrophe. It is inspiring to be with other youth who are not dispassionate about the situation. It’s a serious situation, time for urgent action.

Georgie is away. The equally young Bryn writes here.

Hello,

Today I came away from the conference thinking 'the European ministers are horrid' and 'young people here are by far those with the most sense'.

Sitting in various meetings I learnt that the European Union was last year (in Bali) seen to be leading the progressive approach. So as the EU start to finalise their 'energy package' other international parties will look to the package to act as a benchmark. And what a poor example they are setting, having reduced their carbon reduction commitment by almost half to 20% .

A year ago they also pronounced that they would give financial aid to to help developing countries adapt to climate change, which is logical considering that a lot of carbon emissions originated in Europe. Apparently this is not the case any more. Perhaps they have used all their money to bail out the banks?!

And so to the youth...

The first youth meeting I attended today was amazing! Unlike  the 'grown up' international parties, the youth have managed to join together despite cultural, political and religious differences to fight for a future without climate catastrophe!

A man from the UN food and agriculture department (FAO) told us today that they are hoping that young people will be recognised at next year's COP as an official delegation  because "we actually seem to care about what is decided". He is correct, its our future they decide in those talks! Perhaps the 'oldies' need to take a leaf from the young book.

The youth have lots of interesting actions planned (a few about the EU) which I will regale you with tales of soon!

Georgie :-)

Well what a day...

A couple of us from Young Friends of the Earth Europe (YFoee is easier) were saying we feel like we've been run over by a talking lawnmower! Words and meetings since 8.15 am!

But the day does not end yet, we've still got more meetings and a European 'reception' to go to, where our policy team are hoping to snatch a word with some European delegates.

Everyone has been finding their feet today, getting to grips with the craziness of the place. First we entered through the airport style security and then got given a free goody bag. And an interesting goody bag this is...

One thing that I was particularly intrigued by was the pot of honey in a giant box. I thought maybe it would have a message about the plight of the bees, but it just had a poem about honey inside. The general vibe from most YFoee's was that this bag is a super lot of waste! But still I think a lot of us took one.

Another strange happening at a climate change conference is how hot it is in here (or maybe that isn't so strange?!) in one room the heaters were on full at the same time as the air conditioning!

But in good news today I have heard that the UK has agreed on a national target of a 34% carbon reduction (below 1990 levels) by 2020, regardless of what is decided internationally.  But they also said that if the Copenhagen agreement (to replace the current Kyoto Protocol) is a strong agreement, they will increase the percentage to 42%!  So although this has yet to be finalized it is the right direction.

Today I also went to the Friends of the Earth talk on some of the problems with REDD (a mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries). The talk was really interesting; there was a great question and answers session. Find out more about REDD here.

I best be off to the reception!

Georgie :-)

Photo: Kate Horner from Friends of the Earth US hosts the REDD discussion