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The spectacular, blue-coloured crowd flooded through the streets of Copenhagen with a clear message to decision makers that offsetting carbon emissions – the practice whereby rich industrialised countries pay developing countries to cut emissions rather than making cuts at home – is unfair, and does l not lead to cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

We believe that carbon offsets, which currently form part of a UN climate agreement, do not lead to any overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The "flood for climate justice" was made up of Friends of the Earth activists from more than twenty different countries, as well as allies of Friends of the Earth from a wide range of social and environmental movements, and a large number of Danish people.

The flood began outside the Klimaforum09, civil society climate conference, with speeches from our Chair Nnimmo Bassey, Henry Saragih, General Coordinator of La Via Campesina and Amparo Miciano, World March for Women to highlight the social and environmental impacts of climate change, and the struggle against false solutions such as carbon offsetting.

The participants, most of them dressed in blue ponchos, then 'flooded' through the streets of Copenhagen, in a colorful procession carrying flags and banners, chanting "Demand Climate Justice" and "No Offsetting". The event ended in front of the Danish Parliament with the creation of a massive human banner reading 'Offsetting is a false solution'.

The flood also carried messages from people who are directly affected by climate change, or who are struggling against false solutions such as carbon offsetting.

Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth International chair, stated:

"Carbon offsetting has no benefits for the climate or for developing countries – it only benefits developed countries, carbon speculators and major polluters who want to continue business as usual. Friends of the Earth International denounces carbon offsetting as a false solution to the climate crisis, and urges governments to search for fair and sustainable solutions.”

Palle Bendsen from NOAH / friends of the Earth Denmark stated:

video

Watch a video of the Flood here

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?

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!

Act now - reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Please!  Save the world!

Let's keep the earth cool!

Courage to act.  Two degrees thank you!

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!

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.

The drama-documentary follows an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, asking himself the question, "why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?".  The incredibly provocative and powerful film has helped bring about important discussion around climate change ahead of the Copenhagen Summit in December of this year.

• Find out where you can watch the film in your country
  

The premiere of The Age of Stupid took place worldwide on September 21/22 on the International Day of Climate Action. Friends of the Earth groups that took part in the screening included Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Hungary, Romania and many more.

Celebrities and politicians from all over the globe put their weight behind the film. The New York premiere alone was attended by Kofi Annan, Gillian Anderson, Moby, The Age of Stupid's Oscar-nominated star Pete Postlethwaite and filmmakers Franny Armstrong and Lizzie Gillett. 

Many other celebrities arrived in New York by sailing boat, bike, rickshaw, electric car or skateboard before walking down the green (not red!) carpet.

Let's hope the film will inspire people in developed countries to cut down on their carbon emissions and call for a just agreement at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December.

For information about the film and how you can still see it go to The Age of Stupid website.

Watch the trailer here:

To All Politicians,

I am asking you to do the right thing in Copenhagen; you have our lives in your hands.

Your commitment to our environment will affect the lives of our future generations and how and if they can live in this world.

Remember, with climate change, there are no second chances; we cannot rectify your mistakes.
Yours in Peace

Michael