Last week we gave you three ideas of how you could participate “in the climate change movement.” This week we want to shine the spotlight on three events from the Copenhagen conference center. Sit back for a minute or two, relax, and click on the links. We hope you will be informed, surprised and maybe inspired. If these clips make you think, why don’t you think about forwarding them to your friends! Tell them it’s a “holiday gift” from your “favorite” Climate Mama!
1. On Monday, December 7th, over 2000 delegates watched “Please Help the World”, a short film produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark for the opening meeting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen. Get your tissues out – it made us cry!
2. For a more “light hearted moment”, check out the Fossil of the Day Awards. During the Copenhagen Conference, Climate Action Network (CAN) will be awarding three ‘Fossil of The Day’ awards, each day, to the countries that performed the worst during the past day’s negotiations. The Climate Action Network (CAN) is a worldwide network of roughly 500 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.
3. On December 11th, young people from around the world take up the challenge of presenting their solutions for a sustainable future to a high-profile expert panel of judges for feedback. Listen to their three-minute pitches at Planet Call and hear the results of an exclusive youth survey. Watch as a Declaration, backed by young people from more than 125 countries, is handed to COP15 President Connie Hedegaard (TBC). Send your kids to PlantCall.org so they can sign the declaration too. Together with your children, or right now on your own, watch Cate Blanchett’s short video, I Speak Earth. We found it inspiring, and an important call to action, as we reflect on all the things we are thankful for over the holidays.
Help spread the word, press “Share” to send this information to your friends. Let our government representatives know that Climate Change is on “our radar” and it needs to be on theirs!
Last, but not least, for my “fellow Americans” some good news, In the News, this week from the US government on Climate Change. Two years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has clear authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases. On Monday, December 7th, the opening day of the Copenhagen Climate Conference, the EPA formally declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases constitute a threat to human health and welfare. Two years late, but about time!
In fact, the timing of this announcement seems to have been set to give President Obama a “stronger hand” in Copenhagen. Lets see how he performs when he joins delegates in Copenhagen on the last day of the meetings on Friday, December 18th, as delegates work to hammer out a meaningful agreement. Remember, originally President Obama was to attend the meeting on December 9th; this date was recently changed. Having attended these types of UN meetings in the past, we know that while much of the negotiations are done in advance of the final day, there is potential to “make a difference” and strengthen or weaken the outcome of a conference on the final day. Go President Obama…be strong for the plant, for our children and for yours!
