![Emily’s typical daily routine in the not-so-typical COP21- Week 2]()
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015, UNFCCC
After struggling to follow the negotiations, I decided to move on to explore the outside world of Hall 6 (LOL).
My routines on the second week were more exciting. I only managed to roam through a few halls throughout my entire first week. My second week’s focus was Hall 4, a very ‘happening’ hall.
Same as first week, 9.00am was the waking time of COP21. I attended side events in Hall 4, most of them were in the “silent” mode. All participants were required to put on headphones and listened to the speaker through a “silent’ microphone. So almost no voice could be heard from the outside. You only listen the presentation from the headphones.
When I have the time, I roamed around the NGO booths (spotted the Facebook booth) in Hall 4 and country’s pavilion in Hall 2 & 3 (COP21 Hack#5: freebies are hidden in many of the booths or pavilions!). Quite a number of the pavilions have their own list of events going on. Some of them even prepare refreshments, if you know what I meant *winks* (COP21 Hack#6). I was amazed by their grand decoration s- of course it depends on the country’s budget too. You can see the trend from these big countries’ pavilion like India (total win, their water feature grab a lot of attention), USA, Germany, China, Korea, French etc. Malaysia do not have a pavilion by the way, in case you are wondering.
In second week, I swore to myself to get myself proper meal everyday, so I have my lunches in Hall 4’s restaurant; or at this soup stall opposite Hall 4 that I visited like 5 times – definitely one of my favourite! Throughout the afternoon sessions, apart from side events such as forums and press conferences, I attended daily NGO meetings, witnessed several actions/mobilisations; and I guess the most exciting one would be “Fossil of The Day” which happened every day at 6.00pm in Hall 4’s climate studio! It was an initiative by CAN, to give out “award” and recognition in an entertaining way to countries whom they think performed badly and worth praising in the previous day in COP21. I have also managed to witness how a live reporting looks like from the media working space in Hall 4!
Oh, and I found a heaven in COP21- the RELAXATION ROOM & MEDITATION ROOM (COP21 Hack#7)! Thank God for sweet organizer, taking into account the need of stressful participants to rejuvenate in a designated space.
I have been going in and out between blue and green zone in my second week for different purposes. Green Zone, aka the Climate Generation Area, is around 10 minutes walk (under the freezing temperature PLUS strong wind), but luckily with friendly COP21 volunteers along the way to kinda cheer me up by greeting me with smile ;D Green Zone is opened to public, thus with tighter security check. So imagine if my daily schedule needs me to travel from blue to green then back to blue, I have to go through 3 times of security check (!!! COP21 hack #8: Plan your schedule properly to avoid unnecessary travelling and hassle).
Finally come to the Green Zone! Climate Generation Area. Loving the youthful settings 🙂
This place is another world. Everything here was much more casual and relaxing, more youthful as well!
Loving the colours and energy here. There were mainly organisation booths here, with similar facilities as in blue zone but in a slightly smaller scale- press conference room, media space, open working space, cafeteria, and event rooms as well. I came here mostly for bilateral meetings with other countries’ youth climate coalition; then one time to perform Sumazau Dance at the Asia Indigenous People Pact booth; and another time for an interview. But sadly, it was all for work. I didn’t actually have time to look around green zone properly 🙁
Cycle to generate electricity and the stage concert will produce sound! Green Zone rocks woohoo
In a nutshell, I think I have fully utilized my 2 weeks in COP21 to explore and experience the main places and facilities here. I would have to admit this saying that COP is a circus. Indeed! If you were to attend the next COP, hope this daily routine sharing provides you a better picture on what’s happening in COP, and act as a good start pointer to plan on your journey 🙂
Written by:Emily
Edited by:Wanji
![Emily’s typical daily routine in the not-so-typical COP21- Week 1]()
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015, UNFCCC
Many of my friends and family members are really curious on what exactly I am busying about in COP21. Why am I always on-the-run? Why did I sometimes skip my meals? What exactly is happening within COP21? All the 5W1H questions goes on and on and on. I bet many of you out there are curious about what I did too, so I thought of sharing it in a daily routine form. Enjoy!
After overcoming the jet-lag in a few days, I finally managed to feel alive. Normally, all negotiations meetings and side events in both Blue and Green Zone stared at 9am, and it took 45 minutes to reach Le Bourget on time, including the traffic; that explains why my breakfast is always on-the-run (especially in cases when overslept). Speed walking while transferring through the busy metro is a norm in Paris every morning. You will hear a lot of “pardon” (sorry in French) or “excuse moi” (excuse me) in metro. And there I went, taking the final RER-B train from Gare Du Nord station to Le Bourget station.
Accredited personnels to COP21 were all provided a free access transport card within COP21 period for all public transportation. That sped up our travelling a lot. A shuttle bus from the Le Bourget metro station to the COP21 venue was available and the average shuttle bus travelling period was about 15 minutes but If you were here during peak hour, good luck and have fun 😛
The most tiring part was when everyone squeezed into the bus and the bus tightly packed with human flesh of all sizes and flavors was stuck in a severe traffic congestion. ughhhhhhhhhhh! The marination of homo sapiens at its finest. (COP21 Hack#1: use the shuttle bus during non-peak hour)
Last stop before OFFICIALLY entering COP21 was the infamous security check. SECURITY SCAN is a pain in the a** seriously. It was all done by their very own UN securities. We were asked to separate our electronic devices (that’s okay); winter coats (that’s okay too) but the most, MOST ANNOYING PART was the liquid part. They wanna checked through all the liquid that was to be brought in, yes even H2O WATER. You would be asked to drink a sip of your water to show that it is really water.
Oh well, this tighten security was expected after the attack, so deal with it. Then, you can finally proceed to the legendary COP21 venue!! Welcome! Bievenue! (You gotta scan your name tag’s barcode for facial verification before entering, that’s the final step actually)
Oh by the way, Carrefour is kind enough to distribute free apples to all COP21 visitors/participants at the entrance every morning (COP21 Hack#2: arrive early to grab the free apples).
Daily free apples brought to you by the kind Carrefour!
The breeze welcomes you after the final barcode scan; coming up with Climate Action Network (CAN) volunteers distributing ECO newsletter to you (COP21 Hack#3: you can get soft copy of the newsletter too, save paper and save space in your baggage); then tadaaa- that’s where the different routine came in.
In my first week, I mostly followed the nerd tract- negotiations. So my immediate destination was always Hall 6 (where all the meeting rooms were). I would pre-checked the meetings/plenaries I plan to attend, which I could do it on the big screen CCTV (They call it the climate change TV?, not sure though) for latest schedule. Then I would spent almost my whole day just in Hall 6, except meal time. Not even kidding. Meetings were normally back-to-back, each took approximately 2 hours. Walking from Hall 6 to the restaurants/cafeteria took me 10 minutes to and fro; so sometimes I just ‘tapao’. Occasionally, meetings ended way into the night so my first week here was literally like, camping in Hall 6. Oh wait, I did went to another hall where the plenary was. The setting of the plenary hall was, oh so grand! With very efficient translators who translated INSTANTLY in all UN languages. Fun fact: I actually tried to switch to Chinese translation channel (it’s adjustable if you are wearing headphones) and found out the translators were translating in emotionless way compare to the English translators.
This is how a negotiation meeting room looks like. Negotiators are discussing with each other before the meeting starts.
Overall, my daily routine in Week 1 was quite hectic because I was just drowning myself into the negotiations- flying here and there trying not to miss any of the meetings worth attending. Finally I couldn’t tahan any more, I fell sick :/ (COP21 hack # 4: DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND GET ENOUGH REST) I guess I should slow down a bit next week.
Written by: Emily
Edited by: Wanji
![Alternatiba, A life changing experience – Amalen]()
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015
On the first weekend of COP21, 4th-6th of December 2015, the Alternatiba was held in a small suburb on the outskirts of Paris. The Alternatiba is a parallel event that runs alongside COP for the past few years that highlights and showcases alternative living practices. This year they revolved around 5 main themes with an additional 4 smaller themes.
The main 5 were :
- Agriculture- which was mainly a small amount of exhibits which then lead to a huge farmers market come educational grocers that not only sold their alternatively made produce but also had educational information on the processes used and the way they make their business sustainable.
- Climate and energy – which focused on new energy practices and renewable energies that can be easily accessed to assist us in daily life such as efficient and cheap solar cookers and self produced energy via dynamo systems.
- Mobilisations – which highlighted the actions and campaigns being run throughout the world on sustainable living and alternative sustainable lifestyles
- Eco-housing- which focused a lot around hemp style production and utilization for insulation systems as well as building blocks.
- Education- which was mostly focused on educating tools and styles to be used to educate primarily younger children and how to nurture this responsibility of the environment into them.
There was so much passion and love in the eyes of all the people there. They knew so well what they wanted and what they were fighting for. They were fighting for a better tomorrow and they had found an awesome alternative to it. It truly was inspiring to be around all these amazing people.
Seeing this and whilst I was seated on the side of the road listening to a random group of Accordion players play a medley of songs whist the sun set really brought out something completely different and new in me. I had this strange feeling and it felt like an epiphany moment. I started to feel like I could be doing so much more but I don’t. I now started to understand that I can’t do it all, over the first week of COP I’ve learnt that, I’ve started to understand my place in the big picture of this climate change movement, actions and I understand I need to focus on it. However, I do feel that I need to do more in this field of focus that I have discovered. I feel maybe hey I’ve just found my focus maybe I should cut myself some slack, don’t be so tough on yourself so fast.
Moving forward from this, I know who I am in this movement, I know what I need to accomplish and how far I can go. I want to make more positive change back in my country, I want to learn as much as I can in cop and take that back and find people who are willing to take action with me and bring our social and environmental issues up to a bigger platform so that we can be heard and hopefully make a difference.
However said, in Malaysia, from my experience, yes people get involved and people want change but I feel one reason things don’t go anywhere with actions and campaigns in Malaysia is because we lack love, we lack that passion for what we fight for. This is something very clear in the French, when they have a cause to fight for , they are embodied with love and passion. That is, to me, what makes them strong and noticed. Maybe that’s why the French Revolution is still talked about till today.
Beer made in an environmentally friendly way
Beer made in an environmentally friendly way
The crowd is massive
The crowd is massive
The things you can make out of hemp and clay
Are those tyres?
Interactive speaker bag packs.
Lets get your opinion in a different way.
Listen in and talk about it.
Actions going on throughout Alternatiba
Actions going on throughout Alternatiba
Actions going on throughout Alternatiba
Actions going on throughout Alternatiba
Information everywhere
The services they have, local and helpful
A different way to build a toilet
Slam poetry bringing some edge
Interactive exhibits
Cool new devices and machines
Cool new devices and machines
Cool new devices and machines
Information is everywhere
Information is everywhere
New age Solar Cooker
One of the many different projects here at Alternatiba
Crowd at the agriculture area of Alternatiba
Delicious food made using alternative sustainable processes
Delicious food made using alternative sustainable processes
Delicious food made using alternative sustainable processes
Delicious food made using alternative sustainable processes
crowd at the food market area selling all sorts of delicious goodies
crowd at the food market area selling all sorts of delicious goodies
fun childrens informative games
agriculture exhibit area
Interesting performance and interactive talk using rubbish
![Paris Agreement- Success or Failure? – Amalen]()
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015, UNFCCC, YOUNGO
Celebrating with Cristianna Figueres after the adoption of the text
The Paris agreement a historical moment where for the first time a legally binding agreement on climate change which involves all countries . A big hurrah for that. I mean let me explain the situation, during the final minutes, I noticed something odd, they were withholding info from everyone in regards to the text the whole day and during the morning speech on the 15th day of COP21.
The ‘Fabulous Fabius’ speech which was given by the president of COP21 notified that the deal was made when no one had actually reached a final consensus, I mean we hadn’t seen a final text and we knew the negotiations were not over, so what was going on? When a text was finally released I went around to several negotiating groups after they had run it over with their teams they all agreed that it was optimistic and that although they weren’t the happiest about it, they didn’t disagree with it which was good news!
Selfie rampage while waiting for the last minute huddles to be done.
Right before the last round of negotiations before the text was to be adopted by Committee du Paris,and then by COP, a last round of huddles broke apart. We waited for up to an hour for all this to end. When they finally begun legal and linguistic experts had something to say about some errors that came about. Then another chap mentioned some technical issues such as language in several articles. Just like that one crucial word was changed forever. There was a flurry of motions and next thing you know it the agreement was adopted, the gavel was struck and No one had a chance to react to what had just happened.
The huddles being shown on screen for viewing areas to see
I saw a big flaw in the final text ,when it was finally released which led me to believe that there is something wrong with this agreement, the switch of the word ’Shall‘ to ‘Should’ in article four in concerns to whether developed countries should or shall reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This I feel didn’t make things as pressured onto the developed countries as they should be, we the developing countries should be given our right to develop and with that comes pollution but hey we should have our turn and is our right to come onto equal playing field with other developed countries but with this shall and should issue it becomes more of a goodwill situation, if I feel good hearted-then and only then shall I do something. This is ridiculous and I was perplexed why some countries did not voice this out. I couldn’t be the only one now could I?
After the end of the closing ceremony and final session of COP21, it dawned on me on the politics and bureaucracy that silenced many developing nations and prevented them from voicing out. Firstly, in the way the media puts it out, this is a historical event, we are finally getting a universal legally binding agreement on climate change and whoever objects whether for reasons good or bad would be vilified and no country wants that. Who would want to be the one country that postponed this agreement?
Other smaller countries who would be mostly affected by this, developing nations of course, could not say much after big countries like India and China had spoken in agreement to this new last minute changes in the text. If these big powers in the developing nations blocks says ok with all their wealth and power, how can the smaller nations who depends on these big voices go against them. They are small for a reason, they do not have the sway and power that these nations control. Also when countries who have vehemently been fighting against the process in the past,such as Venezuela finally agree to something as big as this like submitting their INDC all other hope is loss, even the big nay sayers have agreed. No one but Nicaragua spoke up but even then they were completely ignored by all.
I wouldn’t say this agreement is a failure, like I said earlier it has its ups and downs. There are tremendous strides in adaptation and loss and damage that are addressed in this test as well as the mention of 1.5 degree celcious in the article for accepted temperature increment. We finally have a legal document that we can hold our countries accountable to. There are flaws in this agreement but we can persevere and work on this to get what we need for a more just and sustainable future.
Do have a look at the text yourself and tell us what you think. Good or bad? Positive or not?
– http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09r01.pdf
![Meeting Inspiring People in COP21 – Jolene Journe T, Pt. 1]()
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015, UNFCCC
Hello, I am Hilyatuz Zakiyyah (Lia) from Indonesia. I work at the Office of President’s Special Envoy on Climate Change Indonesia. I am a communication specialists who concern about environmental issues especially climate change. I grew up in a family of musician who also loves nature and it gave me big influence for me. My passion for environmental conservation developed more and more as I get older. I also love to sing and dance as well, just like my family.
At Paris COP21: What is your role and what you are looking forward at COP21?
I was part of the committee members for Indonesia Pavilion at COP21. I helped organizing the seminar sessions in the Pavilions and also in charge of the Youth Session which gathered youth leaders from several countries. As COP21 was my first COP, I was particularly interested in making contacts with various organizations and learn more about events organized in COP21.
What are the major climate changes induced disasters that may affect your country?
As an archipelago country with more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is very vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Based on data from National Agency for Disaster Relief, almost 80% of the disasters in Indonesia are climate related. A record from 1982 – 2012, the disasters in Indonesia were dominated by flood (4121 cases), landslide (1983 cases), typhoon (1903 cases), and drought (1414 cases). Furthermore, as 60% of Indonesians live in coastal areas, sea inundation from the sea level rise will threat tens of millions of people to be displaced.
What are you or your organisation / government doing in your country on climate change?
The youth for climate change focuses on awareness raising campaigns as well as capacity building for members and youth in the network. It discusses about the basic of climate change and climate actions that can be done locally by youth. We have established several branches in Indonesia which all have developed their own program and initiatives.
Any tips you learn at COP that you would like to share with us?
As I have to stand by at the Indonesia Pavilion, I listened and learn a lot from the 55 seminars and lectures organized in the Indonesia Pavilion. I am intrigued by several clean technologies displayed and installed in the area of COP21 and several public spaces in Paris. Some of them are quite interesting such as the charging stations which energy derived from the cycling activity; rented electric cars, solar panel to light up an installation in Champs Elysees, etc.
Do you have any upcoming events happening at COP or Post-COP that you would like to share with us?
With fellow young Indonesians from Youth for Climate Change, we will organize a panel discussion to discuss about youth actions on climate change according to Paris Agreement. Several of us will also join the training by Al Gore from the Climate Reality Project Philippine in March 14-16, 2016.
Have you attend any parallel / side events at Paris other than COP21?
I was attending the Transport Day on Sunday, December 6th at International Union of Railway in Paris where I can attend several sessions related to sustainable transport. I was particularly interested in the topic of creating a walk able city.
Hello, I am Joseph Edward Alegado or Jed from the Philippine. I am currently a student at the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands. I was a former Media and Communications Officer of Oxfam in the Philippines. As a Media and Communications Officer, I did some campaigning for food and climate justice as part of Oxfam’s GROW campaign.
At Paris COP21, I am a Climate Tracker for the Adopt a Negotiator Project, a group of 10-15 young climate trackers from around the world who are tracking the negotiations and ensuring that negotiators will come up with a fair and binding agreement in Paris.
What are the major climate change induced disasters that are affecting your country?
Extreme weather events like Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 have frequented the Philippines. We also have experienced slow-onset impacts like El Nino,
What are you or your organisation / government doing in your country on climate change?
The Philippine government is quite active in climate change adaptation especially that we are not one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. We have a Climate Change Commission which is tasked to implement the National Climate Change Action Plans and oversee the Local Climate Action Plans of local government units.
Any tips you learn at COP21 that you would like to share with us?
It pays if you brush up on the geo-politics and history of the UNFCCC.
Do you have any upcoming events happening on Post-COP21 that you would like to share with us?
None as of the moment. But I am trying to help Adopt a Negotiator build a youth network here in The Netherlands.
Have you attend any parallel / side events at Paris other than COP21? If yes, can you highlight the event(s)?
- Climate Vulnerability Forum – During the first day of COP 21, the Philippines led the Climate Vulnerability Forum High Level Meeting in Hall 6 where UNFCCC’s Cristina Figueres led the meeting.
- ASEAN High-Level Meeting with the ASEAN Secretary-General Thailand Pavillion December 8, 2015 It was a meeting of ASEAN youths in COP 21 with the ASEAN SG.
- Sustainable Practices in the Dutch Workplace – December 4, 2015. This event shows how sustainable practices in the workplace can be implemented.
Karida Niode, Indonesia. I am currently a Masters of Sustainability Management student at Columbia University in the City of New York. I have been active in volunteering for sustainable development and environment related practices since I was 14. I work closely with climate change and environmental protection NGOs, particularly the Climate Reality Foundation in Indonesia.
I wanted to participate in the Indonesian youth for climate change event to share my experiences on youth and sustainable development in Indonesia and abroad. I volunteered with the Indonesian Delegation to help out with the pavilion. I also felt that it was highly important for me to take part in this historic climate conference (so far), not only because it is related to my passion of sustainable development but also to refine my network and knowledge about climate change.
What are the major climate changes induced disasters that are affecting your country?
Flooding, droughts and forest fires
What are you or your organisation / government doing in your country on climate change?
The organization I am volunteering for i.e. The Climate Reality Project work to educate the public about the reality of climate change and promote both local and global solutions. Our members have diverse backgrounds which includes business leaders, professionals, educators, athletes, musicians, scientists, actors, students and religious leaders.
Any tips you learn at COP21 that you would like to share with us?
It is very useful to attend side events from different organizations/ countries because based on personal experience, you can gain so many useful knowledge regarding policies, technologies, etcetera. It also enables me to meet new people and expand my network generally.
Do you have any upcoming events happening on Post-COP that you would like to share with us?
Ones that I am directly involved – no solid plan yet currently. I am currently just focusing on my education. But I can contact you once something comes up.
Have you attend any parallel / side events at Paris other than COP21?
- Youth session at the Indonesian Pavilion, Friday 11 December: Discussion and sharing of best practices of youth actions on climate change between youths from all over the world
- Nature Knows Best at the Indonesian Pavilion, Wednesday 9 December: The Sugar Palm Potential for Energy and Reforestation
- Sustainable Landscape in Sumatra at the Indonesian Pavilion, Monday 7 December: Discussion of processes mainly for for-profit companies to turn pledge into practice.
William Cheng, Taiwan. 程煒倫 – 就讀台大農藝學系(Dept. of Agronomy, National Taiwan University)，現任台灣青年氣候聯盟公關籌募長，以農業糧食角度關注氣候變遷，並重視國際與台灣未來能源發展。
2015年前往米蘭世博『Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life』2015年底前往巴黎聯合國氣候變遷大會以環團申請觀察員（Observer）進入會場。
亞洲糧食作物受氣候變遷影響尤其嚴重，農業是人類糧食、同時是能源(生質燃料)、亦為文化。
農業調適是承受傷害的一種被動方式，我們更有權力站出來捍衛，主動求世界減排。
What are the major / potential climate change induced disasters that are affecting your country？
氣候變遷的極端氣候導致台灣颱風頻率與強度更大，摧殘農作物，土壤無法吸收驟雨形成逕流，嚴重影響我們水資源上的利用，除此之外未來乾旱可能的頻率更增加。
What are you or your organisation doing in your country on climate change issues?
台灣青年氣候聯盟TWYCC(Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition)為台灣第一個以青年為主運作的環境NGO，同時也以台灣環境議題的青年交流平台為宗旨，擴展青年氣候行動。國際上我們研究各國政策，並且撰寫文章、發起活動推廣，透過青年與媒體網路的力量去影響政府與大眾。
同時組織內不同專業青年追蹤各項在地議題：從水資源、農業、能源、環保…，從大眾生活去推廣氣候變遷。在台灣亦有發起工作坊、讀書會、氣候培訓營、攤位、遊行等活動。
青年氣候培力營TPS(Taiwan Power Shift) 與 350.org 合作，舉辦 Taiwan Power Shift 氣候行動培訓營，把國際氣候行動之力量帶回台灣。邀請亞洲友好青年組織，透過議題探討、培訓工作坊、國際氣候談判實境遊戲、氣候行動創意提案競賽等豐富的兩天活動，在台灣激發更多青年瞭解國際氣候議題，進而為氣候變遷起身行動。
根據台灣INDC，預計在2030年溫室氣體排放量為現狀發展趨勢（BAU）減量50%;相當於比2005年排放水準再減20%。調適部分尚未明確。
How active is youth participation in your country?
普遍青年尚未意識到氣候變遷的嚴重性，但對於化石燃料排放造成之空汙與核能議題非常關注。我們青年組織正嘗試透過大眾關注之子議題連結到氣候變遷母議題。
Any tips about environment / your learning at COP21 that you would like to share to us?
以青年是否有影響力作為分享。常有人質疑青年是否具影響力，但實際上青年的影響力比我們想像的還要大。在主會場，青年壟斷與掌握了某程度之上的氣氛控制，是Youngo可向秘書處申請獨有的，不管是海報、宣言、發起Campaign，這些都會帶給COP各國與會代表一定程度潛意識上的影響，進而潛移默化的影響各國代表做出決策(故事典故：三人成虎、曾母投杼)。COP21談判會場瀰漫氣氛原為2度C，降至1.5度C，甚至到最後草案產出，青年之會場影響著實不無功勞。（青年行動亦會緩和現場緊張沈悶氣氛）
Do you have any upcoming events happening on Post-COP21 that you would like to share with us?
會在七月暑假舉辦青年氣候培訓營Taiwan Power Shift，敬邀各國青年共同參與，營隊將模擬COP談判會場實境，並且結合遊戲與表演，還原COP現場。透過工作坊與講者演講讓大塚體會了解相關氣候變遷知識。誠摯邀請國際青年一同參與。
Written by Jolene
![‘Die-In’ a YOUNGO action I co-organized – Amalen]()
by admin | Jan 3, 2016 | Blog, MYD2015, UNFCCC, YOUNGO
I was in the actions working group for YOUNGO, this meant that I helped to coordinate and acquire permission for actions being run inside the COP21 area, the blue zone. As the first week was ending myself and a fellow activist Louis Plottel from Canada realized that the YOUNGO actions were not unified and were very haphazard. A rift was forming and we saw a need to unify the youth that to us seemed a bit divided.
Die- In all around COP21
We organized a ‘Die in’ action, where at a certain time we would all just drop down on the floor and just ‘DIE’ for 30 seconds (this was all the time we we’re allowed). This was to show the people around us that the future is already feeling the affects of climate change and we don’t want to die as well. The main objective for this action was to show ourselves as well as the people around us the power of the YOUTH. So we gathered everyone we could, which were quite a number of people and successfully complete a Die in throughout the COP21 venue in Hall 4 primarily and throughout all action zones that had been predesignated.
Die- In all around COP21
We had organized this literally within 11 hours and we had successfully completed it. We had dozens of youth involved, inside and outside of the COP21 venue. This frantic mad dash to organize the locations with the security, organize the people to these locations as well as setting up a press conference after was certainly maddening but we did it. The two of us with the help of many others successfully completed our little vision and it was definitely a success I feel in my eyes.
The whole event went well and our post action press conference, though small, went off smoothly and we were done. I feel our action really made a big impact and helped show the Youth at COP21 our impact. In a way I feel the youth were more unified seeing everyone do this together, seeing the media scramble around and wonder what you are doing. I feel this shows everyone that a unified youth voice is much more powerful. I don’t know if I directly made an impact but I would like to think that I did make a change, no matter how small.
Louis and I with Yugaratna from India during the Press Conference after the action
