It's Week Two

It's week two, and this is what we've been preparing for. Last week we focused our efforts on identifying the role that the U.S. would play at COP15. The results are in… we have overwhelmingly found it to be sub-par. The two most critical areas where increased commitments are crucial to human survival are (1) emission reductions, and more immediately (2) financial aid for vulnerable nations. Based on recent meetings between US youth and our leading climate negotiators, we are able to say (sadly) that there is about a 0.01% chance of increasing our existing mitigation targets, which stand at a whopping 4% cut in 1990 emissions by 2020. However, IF (and only if) we are able to show the Administration that the American people support the financial "bail out" of our island and African nations, THEN Obama would be willing to put more than a lousy $10 billion/year for three years on the table at COP15.



As young people (many of us without steady income, perhaps it may be difficult for us to reason that $30 billion is not sufficient aid... let me share something that I heard on Friday from Sudanese chairman of the G77 Lumumba Di-Aping, "Ten billion dollars will neither buy food nor coffins [for the African people most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change]." After noting this, let's think of recent time when our government was able to generate MASSIVE funding... the war... and my personal favorite, the $3 trillion bailout of US banks and bankers! Now, I would like to think that the government would be able to assist in bailing out our nearly doomed developing nations, as well as our future, if it can muster up the finances to secure the safety of our bankers.

According to Jonathon Pershing, secondary negotiator for the US at COP15, this sort of financial commitment will only be considered if overwhelming American support is displayed. Pershing clarified that he wants the same strong, science-based climate treaty that our youth delegates are calling for, but our numbers are not enough; we simply have not expanded or diversified our movement enough. Let’s be honest… this is true. In order to ensure the survival of our dear friends in these troubled nations, as well as our children’s future, we must be turning out larger numbers in our movement. We need our parents and our friends from high school who we’ve lost touch with. We need our faith groups and local community members, as well. WE HAVE TO REACH BEYOND THE CHOIR!

I understand that all of this is inconvenient. I do. More than anything, I hoped that I could leave Copenhagen carrying news of a strong-binding climate treaty, but I’m afraid this will not be the reality. We have to remember that our generation is not only facing humanity’s greatest challenge, but also its greatest opportunity.

Here are a few words to live by (that you will certainly be hearing more about): YES WE CAN. YES WE MUST. YES WE WILL.

Video of Saturday's actions and marches in Copenhagen

Courtesy of Greenpeace:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOP4gxOpcaM&feature=player_embedded

COP15 Saturday: FTN hits the streets!

By Lindsey Berger- COP15 FTN Delegation Leader

Here are the pics and highlights from our amazing day of international action!

What a BEAUTIFUL Saturday morning it was! It was the first clear morning, unveiling the breathtaking panoramic view of coastal wind turbines (balanced out by several bleak coal-fired power plants).

The Will Steger Foundation team met up with us on the boat to film Garett entertaining and engaging random boat residents in song and dance! Our first round was filmed on the top deck of the boat (enduring the blistering cold winds from the eastern sea), singing one of Garett’s tunes. Scene #2: infiltrate the café where everyone is helplessly eating lunch. Mission accomplished!

After the Will Steger folk’s got their footage, we headed to Parliament Square to meet up with Climate March of 100,000 PEOPLE! Heck yes! The energy was extraordinary… too bad a majority of it had to be used to keep warm. This was, by far, the coldest day yet in Copenhagen and one of the windiest! Even still, you can count on Bill McKibben toughing it out to support our youth presence in the climate march!

Garret, Jeremy (09 Focus Root Fellow) and I marched in the 350.org “boat.” This human powered float was quite literally operated by and composed of people holding up a gigantic strip of cloth at their side creating the shape of a boat. Amanda (09 Roots Fellow) marched with the Indegenous peoples block because of her project- Rethink Dine Power (more on her experience coming...)

We marched from Parliament Square to the Bella Center, totaling 6 kilometers! Unfortunately mycamera battery was out of juice 10 minutes after the march began, so you’ll have to vicariously experience it through 350.org’s website.

Lindsey Berger signing of till next time!

Article by STL Beacon on MO Youth at COP15

http://www.stlbeacon.org/beacon_backroom/local_college_student_among_the_environmental_observersactivists_in_copenhagen

COP15 Day 2: Lindsey’s Top 5

1) Garett and I decided to focus our first hour, following the daily Youth Delegation Meeting at 8:00am, on developing a system for our day-to-day scheduling and event selection. It takes about 20 minutes to weed through the daily program distributed at the Bella Center and an additional hour or two to review the 5+ digest emails sent out by our youth constituencies. Once all of this is compiled, Garett and I decide who’s going to attend what. We look for sessions and events that are highly visual (for excellent photo and video coverage), then discuss our country’s role on the outcome of COP15 and other countries, and those likely to have official U.S. government officials participating.

2) The highlight of my day was definitely meeting E.P.A. Administrator Lisa Jackson in the hall of the Expo. Recognizing her immediately, I turned to my 350.org friend and said, “Ben! That’s Lisa Jackson!” With little surprise, given his exuberant enthusiasm, he said, “Let’s go talk to her!” I think he must have read it in my eyes. Administrator Jackson kindly stopped to talk with us. Ben thanked her for her presence in Copenhagen and I continued, thanking her for participating in the White House Clean Energy Forum last week with US youth organizers. “We are all really excited to collaborate with you further on this issue.”

3) At 2:30pm, the High-Level Youth Briefing with Michael Cutajar (Chair of *AWG-LCA) & John Ashe (Chair of *AWG-KP) Q&A Session would begin. While waiting in the mob of a line that had formed, the 200+ youth broke out into song… “Oooh, it’s hot in here! There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere! I said Oooh, it’s hot in here! There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere! Take action! Take action… and get some satisfaction! Take action! Take action… and get some satisfaction!” It was amazing how quickly the press showed up at the sound of our youthful chants.

*AWG-LCA: Ad-Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action

*AWG-KP: Ad-Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol

4) Today also marked our first of daily US youth debrief meetings. Our friends Matt and Ben, the official US Delegation trackers, reported on where the US stands (at the moment – it changes day to day). Matt clarified that both LCA and KP tracks are supposed to end here at COP15; however, there are divisions between developing countries (who want a 2^nd commitment period – LCA) and developed countries (who want a one-track outcome – KP). I am still working to better understand the differences between LCA and KP… I’ll keep you posted.

5) The most anticipated event of Day 2 was, hands-down, the US State Department Briefing… and we, the youth delegation, DOMINATED IT! Five of the seven questions taken were from youth. When the first question was asked by a female youth, she introduced herself and proudly said that she is here with over 500 US youth delegates. At this time, all of us present waved our hands in the air; it was brilliant! Garett and I were seated towards the back of the room, able to estimate nearly ¾ of the audience as youth.

Although I am unable to share the conversations from this event (the terms of participating in this particular discussion), I can tell you that Jonathan Pershing (Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change) and Lisa Jackson sat on the panel. As Administrator Jackson was introduced, we gave her a much-deserved standing ovation for the EPA publishing the endangerment finding and that, as of January 1, 2010, public reporting on greenhouse gas emissions will be a requirement!

Signing off from COP15,

Lindsey

Obama, Will You Educate the U.S. People?

Calling on President Obama as we did with the It's Game Time Obama campaign, our youth and all those youthful shall prevail if we stand up now and let Obama know of the dire need to EDUCATE THE U.S. ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE! With any concern at all for the climate catastrophes were are sure to face, I urge you, your family, and friends to educate one another on global climate change and its ruthless, unforgiving effects. This week and all of next week, our world leaders are negotiating a climate treaty in Copenhagen, Denmark. Also this week, next week, and all of the weeks to follow we will be negotiating a deal with the stability and wrath of global climate change. Unfortunately for us, MOTHER NATURE DOES NOT NEGOTIATE, and unless we stand up now WE WILL FACE HER DEMISE!

Below is a message from our very own Lindsey Berger on this issue:

With all of the strategizing that is buzzing among US youth... the one thing that is missing (that will leverage all our other necessary actions) is a major educational piece from President Obama.

Even with all of efforts here, in Copenhagen, and back home... I do not think it will scale up enough for Congress to pass that bill in the Spring... the ONLY way I that we can stand a chance at pushing senators to support this bill would be an extremely strong rising up from their constituents in suppport of the bill (not just us youth activists... we need so many more)!

As our President, and being knowledgable and supportive of the climate science, it is his responsibility to EDUCATE HIS PEOPLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE. In his campaign, Obama took over the news stations for an hour to EDUCATE the public on the issues our country was facing and how his election would change them.

Its time that he use his adored rhetoric, public image, and climate knowledge to EDUCATE the public on the basics of climate change, the strong-rooted climate science, and the solutions we need to implement IMMEDIATELY in order prevent catastrophic hardship for humanity (this includes our country)!

I know he wants to pass a strong bill, but I'm afraid he has no logical reason to expect a nation that is SERIOUSLY UNEDUCATED ON THE ISSUE OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE to support a bill that requires massive immediate funding for people in other countries (adaptation) or investment in renewable energy technologies/continuous reduction of fossil fuel subsidies (mitigation)???

I don't recall in any of his speeches him actually using the words "climate change." Although I understand (and support) this strategy in the begining of his term, WE NO LONGER CAN AFORD THE TIME TO KEEP AMERICANS IN THE DARK ON THE REAL-HARD SCIENCE BEHIND CLIMATE CHANGE!!!

I desperately want to call the White House and share this suggestion (and DEMAND) to take on the role as educator... we do not have time to spare. Each day in Copenhagen, I hear over and over and over and over again that a global agreement cannot be made without the US increases it efforts to reduce emissions... and its completely reasonable for Obama to refuse pledging more than 17% by 2020 without the assurance of them ratifying it back at home... they simply will not do it.

Therefore, the binding global treaty that will determine the fate/survival of humanity rests in the hands of our Congressional Senators!!!

Obama can only do so much to push the fence-hangers on to our side... but there is no effort (that maintains the necessary science-based actions) that the Republicans will sign... our ONLY chance is to SHIFT THEM BY POPULAR DEMAND OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS!

This also means, the President using our multi-million strong youth US movement to mobilize and educate America with him. With so little time to work with... we all need to pitch in our biggest attributes... mine is passion and empowerment...

... President Obama- (as said before) RHETORIC, ICONIC IMAGE, AND WORK-ETHIC

> Let's put our strengths to work!

ASK: Please call the White House (and talk to whomever you are able-as many as you are able- about this... Obama MUST EDUCATE THE PUBLIC)! See if others will also make calls. He has to hear this message!

I am working on building a support system here to stategize a way to discuss this idea with him myself.

I am so proud to represent Missouri and all of you... Thank you so much, friends!

From COP15,

Lindsey Berger

We, as a RESPONSIBLE and EDUCATED people shall deliver this message, and I ask that you do the same. Whether you choose to call the White House, your senator or call you neighbor, let everyone know that our negotiations in Copenhagen are the best chance we have to empower our nation and empower the world to act. As Lindsey mentions, the notion that the WORLD IS WAITING on our UNITED STATES SENATORS is a reality!

So let us ACT TOGETHER and urge our Senate to understand that now is the time!

If you are interested with even more details, don't hesitate to contact me! We're amidst day three of COP15! I personally know that our youth representatives in Copenhagen, right now, are working tirelessly to fight combat climate change. Let us stand up and reassure all 500+ youth from the U.S. that their work WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED and they have our support! THANKS SO MUCH TO YOU ALL!

Make Shift Happen,

Eric Farrow

COY & COP15 Day 1

Lindsey's Top 5 Unforgetable Moments in Copenhagen: COY & COP15 Day 1

1) Twenty hours: the amount of time I spent awaiting my arrival in Copenhagen. I arrived in Copenhagen on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM (1:00 AM, CST) thinking that I had managed to find the best arrival time ever! Get there at 8:00... meet up with Garett... get to COY on time... it would work out perfectly! To an extent it did, aside from the serious jetlag that I would look forward to in about eight hours. The Denmark locals were so great! Perhaps the map glued to my hand gave away my foreign identity. With their persistent and careful guidance, I arrived at the Clarion Hotel to connect with Garett.

2) We took a carbon-nuetral taxi to COY, where we signed in and reconnected with other climate rockstars. We took the walking street, one of Copenhagen's cultural treasures as far as I can tell, while heading to the Metro station. It was during this leisurely stroll that I realized... ''Wow! We're in Europe!'' While admiring the diverse showing of shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, we were also pleasantly serenaded with accordion tunes.

We stopped to get coffee on this strip and found that many Denmark shops accept two forms of foreign payments: (1) debit and (2) credit cards with pin #s. Have you ever heard of credit cards having pins? Let me know if you have because this is news to me.

3) Garett and I had the opportunity to be both COY participants and session leaders. We teamed with Esperanza, a firey Phillipine climate activist representing the Global South. Together we teamed as co-facilitators in the session entitled, ''Campain Nuts and Bolts: Fundraising, Event Planning, Networking & Awareness Building." What an eye-opening experience this was! Youth representing countries from all over the globe join in: Australia, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, China, India, USA, Germany, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Italy, Bhutan, Afghanistan , Italy.

We had very limited time for the workshop so we opened the floor to questions immediately and facilitated people's collective knowledge and expertise in running and building campaigns of every shape and size:

QUESTION (Maldives): What do you do when people are reluctant? She expressed that there is a struggle, even in the Maldives, to encourage simple actions like riding bicycles instead of motor bikes.

David from Germany, representing Peace Child International, provided her with excellent feedback: find a way to connect the issue of climate change to their personal interests, helping them realize how it connects to something they care about.

[Later that night, David gave me this AWESOME curriculum guide on teaching climate change solutions for a post-carbon world to children, and he jammed with Garett on his guitar—bonus!]

FEEDBACK (Afghanistan): Serious frustration was expressed regarding President Obama sending 30,000 additional troops into their home; yet, here we are—the youth—from our two countries trying to discuss an issue that is barely on Afghanistan's radar. I quickly realized how little we think about the conflicts that youth activists in other countries might have to overcome while we focus on action in America—which is worlds apart from what others might are facing.

QUESTION (Pakistan): How do I fundraise my country where it is culturally unacceptable for females to ask for money?

It did not take me long to realize just about the only aspect of this situation that I can relate to is that I am female (even still, our gender issue is non-existent in the US compared to what she faces every day). Esperanza shared her obstacles and methods to overcome them in her country. Garett then helped her think through the steps of building a solid team and support system for organizing that might take the fundraising component off her plate, and delegate it to a male team-member to make the ask for money.

4) On Sunday evening, Kumi Naidoo (Executive Director of Greenpeace) spoke as our closing speaker for COY. I couldn't keep my pen from my paper; his message was full of excellent talking points for addressing inaction from the US Administration. I made a list of my favorite points he used.

- The biggest contribution you could make for humanity is not giving your life for it, but rather "giving the rest of your life to it."

- If President Obama can find the several TRILLION DOLLARS to bailout America's banks & bankers, SURELY he can bailout the nations most vulnerable to climate change and our children's future!

- Nothing of value comes easy or is won without real struggle.

- Nature does not negotiate.

- Every year we delay action on climate change, the price goes up... months before Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, requests were made to improve the levee system. The millions of dollars that were denied to fix these barriers were no match for the BILLIONS of dollars needed to care for the devastation posed by the wrath of Katrina.

- President Obama's campaign was close, but here's one better: "Yes we can. Yes we must. Yes we will."

- In every single campaign speech that Obama gave, he stated two things:

1) "a planet in peril" and 2) "the fierce urgency of now."

These two phrases, very accurately, describe the situation that humanity is facing due to climate change... now Mr. President, it is time to put the well-stated words into well-needed action!

5) We arrived at Bella Center metro station on Monday at 12:00 noon, when members of "civil society" could get registration badges... didn't even reach the security check until 2:30. That's right folks, two and a half hours of waiting and wishing I had layered two pairs of wool socks on under my boots. Check out Garett's SWEET video that gives you a better idea of how long the wait was!