2009

Eastern Australia recently experienced a heatwave which smashed temperature records for November. I live in a bushfire prone area. I used to think my house was pretty safe from bushfires, but no longer.  Without strong and immediate action on climate change the Blue Mountains will experience frequent days of Extreme and Catastrophic bushfire danger (these are the official fire danger ratings - not alarmist rhetoric). Not only would catastrophic bushfires destroy many homes (including those previously considered safe from bushfires), but they would devastate the unique and diverse ecosystems which resulted in World Heritage listing for the Greater Blue Mountains.

When you are deciding on climate change action at Copenhagen, I want you to think of my four children who pack their "fire bags" every time the fire danger rating reaches Extreme. Will they need to leave their bags permanently packed in 2020, 2030, 2050.... or will they feel secure in the knowledge that global leaders have done everything in their power to avert climate catastrophe?

Sue Morrison
Blue Mountains, Australia

We need a strong agreement.

I wish: Binding deal in Copenhagen

Now!

Help!  Climate law now!

Stop it climate change!  You can do it!  The citizens of the world expect you to act!

Let's not flood the Pacific Islands.

I want the climate agreement.

Strong deal for save future.

I want a strong climate agreement.

Listen to your heart!

Act now - reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Please!  Save the world!

Let's keep the earth cool!

Courage to act.  Two degrees thank you!

Actions matter more than words - make it happen today.  Save the world!

Greetings, waiting for winter.  - Helvi

Winter in Finland 2050

Keep the world worth living in!

Save money, stop climate change.

We need action not just words any more!

I want to teach my children to ski!

Present actions can save the future.

Doesn't concern me.

Is this what you want?

The talks were the fourth gathering of the year in preparation for the climate summit in Copenhagen this December.

The official discussions were focused mainly on what efforts the newly industrialising countries; such as China, India and Brazil; are prepared to curb the increase of their emissions.

Also discussed was the extent to which industrialised countries are prepared to support developing countries to reduce emissions in future years.

Friends of the Earth International and other civil society debaters took part in daily mobilisations outside of the summit, demanding the repayment of climate debt, the exclusion of the World bank and other financial institutions from the climate debate, and the rights of indigenous peoples, fisherfolk and women to be protected.  The civil society forums held by FoEI and others focused on how to achieve real solutions to climate justice without risking people or the planet.

The talks did not meet the hopes and expectations of the civil society debaters - instead of real solutions and displays of innovation, discussion was centred on trying to get the United States to enter into an agreement, even proposing to dispose of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, arguing this would be the only way to effectively tackle climate change.

There was also no agreement on developing countries' role in combating climate change, and the developed countries refused to accept the proposal that they finance the mitigation, adaptation and technology needs of developing countries through new democratic financial institutions other than the World Bank.

The next talks ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit will be held in Barcelona from November 2-6. 

blogs

Read the introductory blog from Bangkok.

Read the closing blog post wrapping up the summit

Watch video blogs

photos

See pictures of the summit

further information

Find out more about the talks on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website.

The world’s fastest Mount Everest climber, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, has called on the Australian government to halve the country’s carbon pollution by the middle of the next decade to help stop the melting of the Himalayas.

Mr Sherpa says his home is changing because of global warming.


“The glaciers around Everest are disappearing and our way of life is being
threatened,” he says.

Mr Sherpa’s call for action coincides with the release of a Friends of the Earth report which says the big melt in the Himalayas is the one of humanity’s single greatest threats from global warming.

“Warming across the greater Himalayas is two-to-four times the global average. This rise in temperature will increase hazards such as avalanches, debris flows, landslides and flash floods,” says FoE spokesperson Damien Lawson. 

Find out more about the big melt of the Himalayas and read the FoE report here.