Finishing Off the Business in Durban – Developing Country Perspectives

by Anjali Appadurai It was my good fortune to be invited to a high-level cocktail party by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Green Economy Initiative on Friday night. Pavan Sukhdev, head of the initiative, was speaking on the negative effects of meat production on our food systems, but his speech was almost drowned out by the vast number of people who were too busy chatting and...

YOUNGOs to Fight for Climate Justice

by Mariana Calderon Youth NGOs have long had an active voice in the negotiations, a role that take large amounts of coordination, planning, and hard work. Bright and early at 8:30 every morning, representatives from a variety of youth organizations gather to discuss and decide on matters regarding the YOUNGO position, actions, and campaigns. Recently, the YOUNGO Article 6 working group's efforts...

Some success at COP16! Article 6: Education, Training, and Public Awareness.

by Graham Reeder Good news at last: the first consensus at COP16 has been reached; even better it was pushed through by youth! Article 6 under the convention refers to Education, Training, and Public Awareness which is a key issue for young and future generations in order for them to adapt to the coming changes in the environment. The chair of the working group that was deciding on the issue...

The search for a middle ground in Cancun

by Lindsay Britton Another student wrote about the irony of having the climate change negotiations in Cancun. There are at least six buildings at two separate sites for the conference. I have not been in all of the buildings, but the ones that I have been in are typically air conditioned to the point of discomfort. This notice was published several weeks ago:   In consultation with the Host...

Young and Future Generations Day

by Tara Allen Thursday was a big day for youth action here in Cancun. There were a series of events and actions planned all day to get the youth involved in the conference and to get their voices heard by negotiators. Also, press releases and side events were put on by delegations made up of youth members to show their commitment and care for the UNFCCC process and the environment. The first...