Organizations and youth work late into the night in their alternative space after being locked out of the UN climate negotiations center
Hello Climate Community!
When you heard last week that I would be writing you from Copenhagen, you probably expected to get a report from inside the negotiating halls as history was made.
Instead, I’ve written from the place above – deep within a bunker that environment, development, faith, and human rights groups, along with the international youth climate movement, have set up after being thrown out of the negotiations. Citing security concerns, civil society (that includes everything from business organizations to indigenous peoples groups) have been steadily restricted this week in their access to the negotiating hall – an unprecedented move by the United Nations, Danish government, and security staff at the conference center.
This could be a story about our lack of access and voice in the process (especially since youth just earned equal rights, access, and responsibilities as other civil society partners this year). It’s not. Advocates like me for a fair, ambitious, and legally-binding agreement are still getting our voices out, despite restrictions on our advocacy that keep out the perspectives of people who are experiencing climate impacts and realizing clean energy solutions every day.
The important story is still inside the negotiations. While the TV covers endless high level speeches of country leaders all trying to sound like they’re taking strong climate action, the less-televised negotiations are taking place just down the hall, with leaders trying to wrap up enough agreements to call Copenhagen a success – even if that means greenwashing an incredibly weak deal that’s far behind the science.
Our few people on the inside keep us updated with bits of information here and there, but it’s truly been a dark night – unclear about where the negotiations stand, and how to call the outcome when it comes in the next one or two days – a collapse? a weak agreement that moves us forward but continues to be outpaced by the science? a true foundation that we can build on over the next year on our way to next December’s Mexico City meeting? or a miracle that protects our future and saves the climate? Based on our sources, several of these choices are still possible, so we’ve worked and waited as the night drags on.
There’s still time to tell your leaders that you expect the strongest action possible. We’re deep into final negotiations, and the voice of society can tip the balance toward a better deal.
Yours from Copenhagen,
Kyle
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