COP21 Portraits: Clément and Marion, volunteers for the COY11

By Alexis Gillet

 

At the Climate Generations Area at Le Bourget, I spoke with Marion and Clément, two young French people who have volunteered for the COY11.

Marion is a young person who entered active life recently. Working as a professional consultant in the public domain, she was not predestined to work for the defence of the planet. But little by little, being sensitive to the impact of climate change, she decided to apply as a volunteer in her free time and help out in this event.

She therefore applied on the Internet and as the door to saving our planet is open to all, she was selected. She found this to be an enriching experience as it allowed her to meet other people like her, sensitive to issues that are being discussed right now and participate in a dynamic space for exchange and sharing.

It was a good experience for her and she would be willing to repeat it next year in Marrakech.

Clément, a member of CliMates, (co-organizer organization of COY) has followed the startup of this gathering since February.

He himself was more focused on the organization of writing the manifesto issued to heads of state. Prior to the COY, a first manifesto was realised by the host association for this event. This first manifesto was made to lay the foundations of the second manifesto (the largest) and show the first youth commitments to climate change.

During the COY, work on the manifesto was produced in partnership with YOUNGO (the youth group officially represented at the negotiations for the climate). The drafting of this manifesto was made during the 3 day running of the COY and different working groups were active in drafting it.

Moreover, a room was opened to the public so that everyone could state their opinions on what would be written in the manifesto and so contribute to it.

Therefore, people of different nationalities (about 150) were active in its drafting.

Alongside the COY in Paris, COYs were organized locally (in 8 other cities in the world) and could interact with people on the spot and give their opinions on the content of the document.

This event helped to launch different dynamics, the 5,000 participants present in Paris during those three days were mainly interested in what will happen after this gathering, starting with the presentation of the manifesto to the heads of state and of continuing the projects that were created or merged through this gathering.

More information here.

COY11 Portraits: KELI Simplice

 by Alexis Gillet

Keli Simplice is a self-taught Ivorian entrepreneur of 32 years of age. Uniquely through his life experiences, he has succeeded in creating his business from scratch. Little by little, he has, thanks to his perseverance, founded a security company in his country. But his actions did not stop there because, coming from a very poor background, he wanted to help young people who have no access to education.

To do this he educates youth to something that seems trivial to us but which is very important, especially in developing countries facing difficulties in medical treatment: hygiene. This seems trivial to us but a person who has never received any education cannot know, for example, that washing one's hands helps eliminate bacteria responsible for diseases.

He therefore hopes that the COP21 will launch sewer creation projects in the slums of the big cities of Côte d'Ivoire, because there the waste is not treated and garbage decomposition can be seen by everybody.

From the Portuguese delegation of "Let´s Take Care of the Planet"

The Portuguese Association for Environmental Education (ASPEA) is the coordinator in Portugal of Let's take care of the Planet! Through the Project and as a partner of the French association Monde Pluriel, ASPEA participated in the COP21 Conference in order to give visibility to the project and to collaborate with the International Youth Press Agency, a team of young journalists that give visibility to the activities taking place in COP21.

The participation of two youth of the Portugal-Galicia delegation was expected but after the November events in Paris and due to safety reasons, the presence of minors was not allowed.


This is the case of Ana Sofia (Viseu) and Pablo Romeu (Galicia), who had planned to participate but unfortunately could not. However this did not stop them to write a few lines about their expectations for COP21:

Ana Sofia : Earth is our home, let's save it!

If there is a topic right now that can unite politicians, journalists, youngsters and older people...of all cultures, races and religions of the world, it's the environment. We all know that there is still a lot to be done in order for us to be able to redeem our past actions and avoid a future possibly irreversible and profoundly damaging climate change. I know that this is the last opportunity (we are racing time) to achieve a political agreement that avoids the planet´s global warming.


I wish that in COP21 it will be possible to implement a new hope in our future of the survival of all species in the planet. I know that the first victory will be to convince all countries that economic growth is possible without the intensive consumption of fossil fuels. Therefore the most important thing will be to incentive countries to use new technologies and methods that allow economic and social development, for example the use of solar panels, wind turbines, policy that involve the use of cleaner energies, ecologic life styles and the use of public transportation. An important part of this process is to inform the population about the consequences of climate change and the effects that will be seen in the future (floods, droughts, extreme climate occurrences, price rises of food, worsening life quality, more diseases and wars, reduction of drinkable water, alteration in the sea currents due to the melting of the glaciers, which can cause the modification in the habits of the aquatic species, climate changes in the surface and the acidification of oceans, among many others) in order to sensitise and change peoples' actions.

Even though I couldn't be present at COY11 and COP21 due to the lack of safety, my thoughts go to everybody that is present there, so that the world can achieve an agreement, and that we can all show union and strength to fight climate change.



I truly believe information and knowledge are the only weapon we can use to save the planet.

Pablo Romeu_ What do I expect from COP21?

What I expect from this event is to become a historical moment when humans avoid climate change.
This problem traps us in a negative, self-destructive and obscene vicious circle, and not only in the biological or climatic environment.
Rich countries are fighting over territories rich in fuel and oil, creating confrontations that only cause more violence; and poor countries suffer these consequences.
For these reasons, we can say that climate change not only causes natural disasters, this problem promotes wars, poverty, and even terrorism.
Despite everything, I would love telling the world leaders that they must worry about what is really important, what really matters.
The economic model must change. The pollution that we cause is unsustainable, and we have already exceeded the limits.

Now is the time to change, and we must change drastically. We are technologically prepared to eradicate polluting energy sources, and replace them with more clean energy.
The economy can not be an impediment to do what we must do.


It's time to save the world. Let's do it.

The World Waits for the Planet's Future

By: José Jara @josema923 and Denisse Peduzzi @denipeduzzi (Argentina)

Today the COP21 has begun in Paris, where world leaders meet to discuss the future of climate change. Since early in the morning, young people have come together to witness the first negotiations of this process that will take two weeks.

The United Nations Conference of Parties started this morning with the presence of 172 representatives of the world. The objective of these 11 days of negotiations will be to reach an agreement to reduce emissions that damage the planet.

In the corridors of the COP, there are also those who are interested in the subject, who have come to Paris looking for an answer. We thus talked with young visitors and they told us what their expectations are:

Juan Diego, Ecuador, 27 years old:
“I hope there will be a real agreement among countries and not just another meeting where no solutions are found. I hope that there will be realistic expectations where the rights of indigenous peoples and forests are also respected, especially relating to the situation in Ecuador. Presidents need to be aware about our situation because it will put the future of young people at risk.”

Ambrioggio, Italy, 23 years old:

“One of my expectations for the COP21 is that an agreement will be signed because it's a huge event for the future of our planet. We are a lot of people who work for sustainability and it would be very sad if the countries involved do not reach a deal. I also think it is a great opportunity to get to know other people who work in civil society and exchange ideas about our own sustainable projects.”

Digna, United States, 17 years old:

“I hope States can reach a new agreement and fulfil their responsibilities. I am glad that the presidents recognize that climate change affects the whole population and also recognize their own errors.
I was born in New York but my parents are from Honduras. That’s why I think that the United States, as a developed country, must fulfil its responsibilities, and Honduras, a country that suffers so much from climate change effects, needs help from developed countries to adapt.”

Aviral, United States, 25 years old:
“I hope the majority of countries reach the goal of not letting global temperature increase more than 2°C. I think that is all that young people are waiting for. I think that everybody, especially Indian people, believes it is a very ambitious objective but I hope for the best possible solution.”
The presence of young people at the COP21 was remarkable, with a strong commitment to the future of the planet and interest in a favourable agreement. The world wants a change and young people are raising their voice for it.

Discussion avec lobbyistes de l'industrie: l'autre point de vue de la négociation

Par Evelyn Araripe (Youth Press Agency)
Traduit par Mariella Foscheri



Que se passe-t-il au cours des négociations sur le climat? D'une part, il y a les gouvernements qui tentent (sans succès) de créer un document commun qui puisse permettre de minimiser les impacts conséquents aux changements climatiques; d’autre part, il y a de nombreux représentants de la société qui défendent leurs idées et leur travail et qui veillent à ce que l'accord leur soit favorable. Cependant, au milieu de ce labyrinthe appelé la «société civile», participent aussi les industries dont les activités seront affectées par ce qui sera décidé lors de la Conférence sur le climat des Nations unies.

La Youth Reporter Angency a parlé avec Joachim Hein, représentant de la BDI – Groupement de l’industrie allemande - (Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie). Hein nous a expliqué comment se définissent les différents points de vue dans les négociations, et nous a parlé de l’inquiétude face aux changements climatiques, de la responsabilité des industries et des difficultés de mise en œuvre de ce qui est proposé par les gouvernements.

Le BDI représente les associations des industries allemandes dans différents domaines. C’est précisément pour cette raison, nous explique Joachim, qu'il est très difficile d’avoir une position commune qui puisse vraiment représenter la vision de tous. Tout au cours de l’année, leurs associés ont tenu des réunions et des groupes de travail pour élaborer un document final contenant les arguments que l'industrie du pays estime qu'il est important de défendre dans le cadre des négociations sur le climat.

« Beaucoup de gens pensent que les industries ne se soucient pas du changement climatique, tandis qu’il est naturel qu’elles soient inquiètes parce que cela interfère dans la manière de produire et d’exister », dit-il.

Cependant, Joachim affirme que la chose la plus commune est que les citoyens accusent les entreprises sans pour autant donner de propositions efficaces sur la transition, la mise en œuvre ou sur le financement d’un modèle de production durable.

« Par exemple, la proposition de la création d’'énergie renouvelable à 100% d'ici 2050 est faisable? Bien sûr que oui. S'il y a un investissement, c’est possible. Mais comment investir? D’où viendra l'argent? Comment faudrait- il le réaliser? Comment intervenir pour que les investissements soient rentables? Il y a beaucoup de questions à traiter », dit-il.

En tant que représentant du secteur industriel allemand, Joachim explique aussi que son pays dispose déjà d'une législation environnementale stricte, qui demande déjà l’engagement des industries ; un point encore discuté pendant les négociations internationales. « Souvent, ce qui est proposé lors des COP est encore plus simple que ce qui se trouve dans la législation environnementale allemande » dit-il.

A la question sur ce qu'il pense du financement de la transition vers des modèles plus durables par une contribution des entreprises au Fonds Vert (un des débats qui prend de l'importance dans cette COP21), il nous répond qu'il est juste que le secteur privé contribue, mais il estime qu'il s’agit déjà d’une chose acquise. « En fin de compte, d'où vient l'argent public pour financer ce processus? Souvent, il provient des impôts payés par le secteur privé ». Alors Joachim suggère que les entreprises, au lieu de contribuer sur une base purement volontaire au Fonds pour le climat, soient obligées de payer une taxe dont le rendement soit entièrement attribué au Fonds.

Enfin, en parlant de la relation entre l'industrie et les organisations de la société civile, il déclare que les entreprises allemandes ont de très bons rapports avec certaines ONG, mais qu’elles rencontrent beaucoup de difficultés avec d’autres. Pour lui, la différence réside dans la capacité de se mettre à l’écoute. «Certaines ONG acceptent le dialogue, elles comprennent notre position et le fonctionnement des choses. Cela ne veut pas toujours dire qu'elles sont d'accord avec nous, mais au moins qu’elles nous écoutent .D’autres ONG protestent sans cesse, elles nous montrent du doigt pour dire que nous agissons mal, que nous sommes méchants, mais par contre, elles ne nous présentent aucune proposition efficace de solution », dit Joachim.

Pour lui, le rôle de la société civile, et surtout des jeunes, dans les négociations est extrêmement important - même s’il pense que trop souvent les jeunes sont concentrés sur l’action et non sur l’approfondissement du processus politique des négociations. « Nous avons besoin d’un plus grand nombre de jeunes intéressés par la politique, afin de négocier en profondeur les sujets qui sont sur la table », a-t-il conclu.

Special COP21: Youth calling for substantial participation in the UNFCCC process

Youth was the protagonist of Day 4 at COP 21 (Thursday, Dec. 3). The “Youth and future generations day”, jointly organized by the Constituency of Youth Non-Governmental Organizations to the UNFCCC (YOUNGO) the UN Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth and Climate Change, and the UNFCCC secretariat, featured a series of side and special events looking at climate change issues from a youth perspective.

Among them, the Intergenerational Inquiry event provided young delegates with the opportunity to share experiences, initiatives and ideas being implemented worldwide as well as to reflect on the role of youngsters in the UNFCCC process. The event featured the participation of the UN Envoy on Youth Alhendawi, the French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal, and the UNFCCC Secretary Christiana Figueres. The Secretary thanked young people for being active part in the fight against climate change, which she defined as the “biggest intentional shift” in the history of human development.

Young leaders shared the main results of the “Conference of the Youth”, which paved the way to COP21 from Nov 26 to 28, and led to the production of a Manifesto with proposed strategic points and guiding values for climate action. The Manifesto, which was handed to the French President Holland, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fabius and the special UN envoy for youth Alhendawi ,called inter alia for a reform towards an enhanced inclusiveness of youth in the decision making process. The event also provided opportunities to share the experiences of the UNESCO Youth Forum and of several NGOs projects undertaken in Ghana, Canada, Australia and Nepal. Finally, some words of discomfort were expressed by YOUNGO activists because of Secretary Figueres leaving the room before the end of the event.


The day was also marked by non-official initiatives. Among them was the flash- mob organized by YOUNGO to protest against the proposal by some developed countries to cancel reference to human right is Article 2 of the draft Paris agreement. Dozens of youngster lied down on the floor of the civil society pavilion, symbolizing the attempt to cancel the youth, indigenous people and women from the Paris agreement.

Written by Elisa Calliari in Paris, France. In collaboration with Agenzia di Stampa Giovanile sulla Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, Sostenibilità Ambientale e Cambiamenti Climatici  (Youth Press Agency on Climate Change, Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development).

December 4: Education Day at COP21

 By Laura González  ASPEA (ww.aspea.org) & Youth Press Agency

The first COP was held in 1995 in Berlin, and since then different ways of how to challenge climate change towards sustainable development has always been debated. But it was only last year, at the COP20 in Lima, when they decided that in the following COP, there should be a time for education. But not education as we have seen it so far, but inclusive education across the board in all parts of the curriculum in formal and non-formal environmental education.

In COP20 last year, in Lima (Peru), the Ministers and heads of delegation adopted the Declaration of Lima on Education and Awareness. The Declaration urges governments to include climate change in school curricula and "climate" awareness in national development plans.

The opinion of the President of the COP20, Manuel Vidal, is that "education is the key and the new development paradigm ".

More and more governments follow this call and have integrated education strategies, tools and objectives in national sustainable development policies and issues of integrated sustainable development, including climate change in their policies and education plans. Countries such as Uganda, Dominican Republic, Peru and Morocco have already taken concrete actions.

It does not mean that education and awareness were not important in other conferences, but many years have gone since Berlin (COP1, 1995), until one day (or thematic day, as they say here) was dedicated to education, with the goal that Education for Sustainable Development will become a topic for all the present and future conferences on climate change.

For this day, a document entitled "Manifesto for Education towards planetary citizenship" was created. The text, with almost 80 pages, shows the reasons why the transition to sustainable development will not be achieved without action at the level of life long education, working together, with the participation of all generations The Manifesto was presented at one of the round tables in the Generation Area.

During the morning, the 15-year-old young activist, Xuhtezcatl Martinez, (Earth Guardians) in one of his speeches said that "it is necessary to change the way we educate."

As part of the COP21, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research of France, with the presence of Segolene Royal, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy in France, Rachid Belmokhtar, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training from Morocco (host of COP 22) and Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, hosted the conference "Good practices in education for sustainable development: how to drive change to educate the challenges of climate change". The debate was organized around two round tables:

• States and best practice guidance of educational change for sustainable development in the educational system: Quebec, France, Japan, Finland.

• The partners of education systems, actors in change management for sustainable development

At the end of the Conference, the youngsters Jules (France), Frederikke and Boel (Denmark), intervened to call the attention of the ministers of education to the importance of a change in the educational system, not only for sustainable development, but also as a way to be adapted to the new social, economic and environmental circumstances, highlighting the importance of including the issue of climate change in the educational program. This young group is part of the Network of Youth "Let's Take Care of the Planet", a project coordinated by the French association Monde Pluriel. With this project young people from all across Europe highlight the importance of co-responsibility for the environmental problems.

At the end of the afternoon the event "Non-Formal Education in climate change" took place, where there was an explanation of how new technologies, such as video games, music and social networking tools can be used to educate. They also emphasized the importance of young people and children, as being part of the solution.

During their speeches, Yoka Brandt (UN Alliance) said that "schools have a very important role in creating paper stewards of the land" and highlighted the role of youth in the change. Nick Nuttall (UNFCCC), said that "education is the transition to sustainable development", and that it is not only necessary to "educate" young people but also" re-educate" adults.

During the conference, as an example of how to raise awareness of climate change, they showed a campaign called "We are angry for Climate Change" which leverage the known Angry Birds game to send a message to sustainable development.

We can conclude that an effort must be done to improve teaching methodologies, concepts and content that we want to communicate and how to do so to adapt to the new social, economic and environmental scenarios that we currently have.