Impressions from COP 17
by Canadian Youth Delegate Anika Terton
The United Nations Climate Change Conference opened on Monday morning, 28 November and Canada is already the talk of the conference. While I experienced my first day at COP 17, struggled to figure out why the meeting rooms are named after plants, materials and geographical locations and wonder why no one has provided me with a giant map of the International Conference Centre – my email inbox filled up with rumors about Canada preparing to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol next month. Only a few minutes later it was confirmed that Canada plans to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding emissions agreement, early next month. Peter Kent declared to the Canadian Press that he is coming into the negotiations ready “to play hardball with developing countries.” For some reason I thought it was those developing countries who should be playing hardball with developed countries.
Canada’s plan is a slap in the face to the international community. Canada is isolating itself even more in these talks as a country that not only is refusing to take meaningful action at home, but also one that has lost the trust and respect of the international community here in Durban and around the world.
Following these developments Canada has collected three fossil of the day awards as of today. Primarily for failing to support a second commitment period and undermining the value of the Kyoto Protocol as well as Kent’s most recent comment: “There is an urgency to this,” said Kent. “We don’t need a binding convention, what we need is action and a mandate to work on an eventual binding convention.” What can I say– he nailed the first half of the sentence. Earlier last week Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent said he hoped to win fewer fossils then his predecessors, he is not off to a very good start!
In a turn of good old-fashioned Canadian manners, the Canadian Youth Delegation is publicly apologizing for a problem they didn’t create. On Wednesday an apology letter by the Canadian Youth Delegation, was published in The Mercury, a Durban daily newspaper. The letter cited irresponsible Canadian policies, such as Environment Minister Kent’s declaration to defend the tar sands at the COP17 climate negotiations and Canada’s recent rejection of the Kyoto Protocol.
Yesterday was Young and Future Generation’s Day at COP17. Many young people I have met here come from countries where they are already suffering climate change impacts and they came to Durban to send a message to negotiators: This is not about what is politically possible, it is about survival for young people and future generations.
In solidarity with youth from around the world, the Canadian Youth Delegation and the United Kingdom Climate Coalition have partnered together to hold a bake sale in order to raise funds to buy back our common future – which is jeopardized in the current negotiations by governments acting on economic short-term goals. Evidently money speaks louder that the voices of their electorate. Therefore youth have decided that it is time for us to start speaking the only language that these governments seem to understand.
In South Africa, Ilearned a common rally cry, which is heard amongst people demanding their rights. Dating back to the days of anti-apartheid resistance – a call and response, the leader yells out “Amandla!” (Power!) and the crowd replies “Awethu!” (To Us!).
I would put the same call out to Canadian people. It is time for us to send a clear message to our government to stand up for our common future.
Awethu!
Amandla!
Power to the People
Contributor: Anika Terton – Climate Change Connection Public Education and Outreach Coordinator
Anika is a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation to COP17 in Durban, South Africa representing Manitoba. Follow her updates regularly at the youthdelegatemanitoba blog.