COP 15: Not Conference of Parties but Connection of People.
I dag (engelskspråkiga) reflektioner från helgen av en kollega på plats:
It was Friday afternoon, the first time, I entered the Bella Centre. I was startled by the scale of this event called COP 15. It is huge and alive. Despite having tasted a running commission of UN at its headquarters in New York, I realized this experience is going to be something completely different and new.
After having got accustomed to the layout and setup of this huge conference, a group of young people caught my attention and to fulfill my curiosity, I approached them. They turned out to be a youth delegation from India. In all a group of 20, these youngsters could come after winning the ‘agents of change’ awards given by the government for having done noticeable climate related work or having written best essay on political governance and climate. I was also informed that in all 96 youth networks are representing their nations and had a separate two days youth conference on 5-6 December. They hold a strong viewpoint that, it’s our future at stake.
As the day passed, everyone appeared eager to exchange and share their perspective on climate change. I talked to a group of activists from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and India. Their concerns are high due to rapid melting of glaciers from Himalayas. They all had the similar view that despite having the knowledge they do not have resources or infrastructure to deal with this alone. The support of developed nations is necessary for urgent and effective action on climate change at this time. One of them rightly said lasting change comes from plural sources.
There was a different air in the city of Copenhagen and even inside the Bella Centre due to the planned demonstration on Saturday. Thousands of people walked towards the Bella Centre in a peaceful manner demanding a ‘real deal’ for the world. To be more familiar with what civil society is asking for I participated in the vigil event inside the Bella centre. A speech by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to a small gathering inside the centre marked the ending of 36 hours long connecting the world event organised in 136 nations by collective NGO efforts. Mr. Tutu called the political leaders to acknowledge the awakening and connectivity climate change has brought among the global community. He strongly reminded the political leaders that peaceful demonstrations have opened doors of prisons for leaders to walk out and make a difference, referring to Nelson Mandela. I felt what is happening in this place, in every sense, is a true gathering of the world where leaders and citizens have one common agenda; find the right balance to strike a treaty that is real, fair, ambitious and binding for all nations.
After participating in such an emotion filled event I came to the EU pavilion to feel at home and not miss the Santa Lucia celebrations and the pepparkakor. After singing a couple of songs, surprisingly, a young girl made a speech. Very short but strong words were communicated that we the children have come to inspire the world leaders that there is money for the climate fund. They just need to cut 8% of budget they have for defense and ammunitions. If the youth can see where the money is how the world leaders cannot see!
While walking back home later in the night I realized that for some hours I did not interact with people as health researcher and what all I could assimilate! I was speculating that COP 15 has reached its halfway point and I will be leaving in few hours not worrying about what decisions will be made by political leaders in the next week, but feeling assured that we as mankind have come together to undo some of the damages made to our planet earth.
Raman Preet Kaur
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