![Youths of COP: Julius Schlumberger]()
by admin | Jan 26, 2018 | #MYD, MYD2017, YOUNGO
Youths of COP: A brief Q&A with people met at COP23.
Q: Please tell me about yourself.
A: My name is Julius Schlumberger, 23 years of age and currently living and studying in Aachen, Germany. At RWTH Aachen I am going to finish my Bachelor studies in Environmental Engineering next year. My engagement in the climate change scene started in February 2016 after successfully applying to join Youth Alliance for Future Energies. Youth Alliance for Future Energies is a youth delegation that is actively involved in the UNFCCC processes for several years now. Since SB44 I have been mainly focusing on adaptation and raising awareness for the impacts of climate change and climate policy in general. The past 10 months I was one of two coordinators responsible for organizing COY13. Besides that, I held a two-week course at a summer school for German pupils focusing on the international climate negotiations.
Julius has been active in the UNFCCC process.
Q: What inspired you to be involved in the fight against climate change?
A: I have been following developments regarding climate change, environment and sustainability for several years by participating in many Model United Nations conferences. However, reading all the news about countries failing to do the needed to save our planet, I did realize that I do not want to use all my time and energy for only participating in roleplay simulations. I realized that I want to join the voices of other young people that demand more climate action to make sure that our and the future generations do not suffer from lack of our engagement.
Q: Why did you take up the responsibility of organizing COY?
A: I was already following the planning processes around COY12 because I was convinced that COY is an amazing concept to bring together young people with different experiences and knowledge, to build new friendships and strengthen the international youth climate movement.
Given that COY is commonly organized by youth in the COP-hosting country, the decision to take the responsibility of organizing COY was a once in a lifetime decision to make. Even though I had no experience with organizing conferences at all, I decided to take the responsibility, since COY is about building capacities of youth, learning new crucial skills. Also, if you always stay in your comfort zone, you will never be able to make an impact.
Q: What is the one most interesting thing about COY?
A: The most amazing thing about COY is to see that many young people from all different parts of the world are getting together because they are all passionate about their future and the future of their children. It is extraordinary to feel all the positive energy, reflection, and optimism in workshops and discussions at COY13. The young people participating in COY13 are really interested in learning new things, sharing their experiences and find solutions to current climate change challenges.
Q: What are the key messages you would like to share with youths in general?
A: Everyone can decide how they want to live: Ignoring scientific findings, only concentrating on satisfying their own interests OR acknowledging the impact of their behavior, consumption, and commitment. Every voice matters and can make a difference. Hence, prepare yourself, connect with other like-minded people to spread your ideas and opinions to get more people involved and show decision-makers what you care about.
Content and Media provided by Julius Schlumberger
Edited and Arranged by Xiandi
![Youths of COP: Frances Mills]()
by admin | Jan 26, 2018 | #MYD, MYD2017, YOUNGO
Youths of COP: A brief Q&A with people met at COP23.
Q: Please tell me about yourself.
A: I just finished studying Ocean Sciences at University of Liverpool this June. I’ve been interested in environmental problems from a young age but didn’t properly engage in environmental actions until I visited India for a summer program about environmental and social justice when I was 16. We visited communities affected by environmental disasters such as the Bhopal chemical disaster, which really opened my eyes to what is going on in the world. I got involved in activism at university, through student societies and since I graduated I have been part of the UK Youth Climate Coalition, which is an organization in the UK that campaigns for climate justice and youth involvement in the environmental movement.
Frances Mills from the UKYCC
Q: What inspired you to be involved in the fight against climate change?
A: Originally I was inspired by wanting to protect nature and specifically endangered species, but as time pass I have become more and more motivated by climate justice. Many people who have barely contributed to greenhouse gas emissions are the ones facing the worst effects of climate change, and this is something that needs to be tackled immediately. I am inspired by stories of people at the front-lines of the climate struggle and by seeing campaign wins, for example, the recent ban on fracking in Scotland. Or sometimes by watching a good David Attenborough documentary and reminding myself what we are protecting!
Q: Is there any projects you are currently undertaking that you would like to highlight?
A: We recently ran a workshop at the Conference of Youth titled ‘Do we need to take down neoliberalism to address climate change?’. I would encourage anyone interested in climate change to consider the bigger picture, our economic system, and what they think the root causes of climate change are. We aren’t taught much about economics in school (at least in the UK), and I think we don’t talk about it enough!
Actions by the UKYCC
Q: Do you have a particular topic that you are following closely on and why?
A: I am going to be closely following Fiji’s Oceans Pathway Partnership and getting involved in the YOUNGO oceans working group (for obvious reasons)! The ocean is the planet’s most important climate regulator, and a large part of its capacity to take up carbon depends on having healthy ecosystems. I don’t think we talk about the oceans enough, and the OPP could permanently establish them as part of the UNFCCC dialogue.
Q: What are the key messages you would like to share with youths in general?
A: I think any young people who are hesitating to get involved with the environmental movement should know that even if you don’t feel like you know enough, you can definitely still contribute to it ! Even by just adding to the headcount at a protest, or voting for political parties with good environmental policies. Having said that, I would encourage you to get as involved as possible – the best way to learn is on the job, and I can guarantee you will meet awesome people!
Content and Media Provided by Frances Mills
Edited and Arranged by Shariman and Xiandi
![Youths of COY: Raisa Bashar]()
by admin | Jan 26, 2018 | #MYD, MYD2017, YOUNGO
Youths of COY: A brief Q&A with people met at COY13.
Q: Please tell me about yourself
A: I am a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Science and Management at the prestigious North South University of Bangladesh. I have been teaching from when I was 16 and today, 10 years later I still feel the same positive emotions and passion when I’m able to connect with my students and peers through knowledge distribution. Although I loved teaching from a young age I only became seriously interested in taking it up as a career after I understood that research is the way to go if I want to bring change, small or big. Research is motivated by teaching and vice-versa and hence, the occupation came as second nature; it was meant to be. I completed my Masters in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from the UK’s Durham University in 2015. My aim is to get a Ph.D. and then a postdoc. in Environmental Valuation and Policy.
Raisa Bashar after a successful project presentation at the 13th Conference of Youth
Q: Could you share with us the paper that you will be presenting at COY?
A: Project Title: Understanding the Difference between Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and Climate Finance (CF): The Case of Bangladesh
Project Overview and Goals: The research will try to answer questions like how much and for what projects/programs Bangladesh has been receiving bilateral and multilateral CF support and ODA, is that fair & just compared to the climate vulnerabilities Bangladesh faces, whether the level of ODA increasing or decreasing, what are the qualitative differences in projects/programs funded by CF & ODA in Bangladesh and lastly, were there any criteria selected for defining projects as development-focused or climate-focused.
The project will try to find out a methodology to maintain the difference between CF and ODA by reviewing the info. and literature available on the inflow of CF and ODA into BD, look for the ‘additionality’ of funding as CF, over and above ODA, for CC projects and examine Bangladesh’s role, Climate Fund flow, and ODA flow compared to other LDCs. The findings of this research have great public policy relevance, as it will greatly sensitize the government agencies for the mobilization of CF and ODA.
My Involvement: I am an environmental economist with project and research experiences in the field of environmental valuation and climate change. Hence, when Dr. Mizan, the Principal Investigator of the project and a lead climate change negotiator of BD started looking for a person with a background in statistical/economic analysis, with experience to organize workshops at national levels, I successfully got selected as one of the two co-Investigators. Additionally, I want to go for a Ph.D. in a topic which will involve the policy side’s understanding. So, this project seemed like a great opportunity. I could help the climate change affected people by helping the authorities who help the victims and also learn in the process.
Raisa Bashar presenting at a research-related Inception Workshop with her country’s government (DoE, ERD, MoFin.) officials
Q: What inspired you to be involved in the fight against climate change?
A: Truly, I never really wanted to get directly involved with Climate Change. That isn’t my forte. My research interest lies in Environmental Valuation. However, I do want to help people whose lives are negatively affected and sometimes even destroyed due to environmental disasters aggravated by CC. Hence, when I got involved with the project and later, received the opportunity to share the knowledge generated through it at the best youth platform, COY13, I took it up.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most effective way to engage youth in the climate change scene?
A: To get youth involved in climate change related activities would first require an understanding of their Nature. Youth today are digital; they are more connected and knowledgeable than their previous counterparts. To reach them and effectively motivate them in the Climate Change Mitigation movement they need to be taught the bad sides of CC using entertainment like songs, dances, drama, etc.; social media platforms like Facebook should be made more CC-friendly by posting regular adverts and promotional posts to reduce resource consumption and wastage. Moreover, getting youth idols to endorse climate-friendly brands will also inspire the youth to follow.
Q: How should youths learn more about climate finance and how could they advocate for better and more effective climate finance?
A: There are a few ways to do that:
- Introduction of a mandatory school subject called Environmental Studies (primary and secondary)
- Attending events like seminars and conferences on climate change
- Going out and reaching the people affected by climate change to learn from the past mistakes and find ways to solve them
In Bangladesh, dramas related to climate change are shown in rural areas to better educate and aware the youth, so that they can take better measures to adapt to climate change.
Q: What are the key messages you would like to share with youths in general?
A: Climate change cannot be combated through division; it is to be defeated through collaboration. So, let us keep aside our differences and truly work towards what matters, together.
Content and Media Provided by Raisa Bashar
Edited and Arranged by Xiandi
![Youths of COP: Nagisa Yoshioka]()
by admin | Jan 26, 2018 | #MYD, MYD2017, YOUNGO
Youths of COP: A brief Q&A with people met at COP23.
Q: Please tell me about yourself.
A: I am Nagisa, the former representative of Climate Youth Japan. In 2012, I attended in COP18 and it was my first time to be involved in world youth climate activities. Trough the experience of COP, I found that we have the great potential and plenty of chances to take action for our future. On the other hand, I also felt that the presence of Japanese youths was a little weaker compared to others, which is why I decided to be a part of climate activism. Now, I’m studying international studies at the University of Tokyo as a master student and working on some climate-related research projects such as climate-induced migration in Pacific islands and climate risk insurance in Southeast Asia. Due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of natural disaster are supposed to be increasing, which leads to serious impacts on vulnerable communities in developing regions. Keeping my eyes not only on the global context of climate change but also on people who are affected by climate change is my motto.
Q: What inspired you to be involved in the fight against climate change?
A: Youth is what exactly inspired me! We can collaborate beyond the border to achieve our ambitious goal, “climate justice”. I always imagine the future world where we are initiating our own countries. We can definitely make a difference in this world if we successfully keep our mind and ambition.
Q: Is there any projects you are currently undertaking that you would like to highlight?
A: Now, we Climate Youth Japan is committing to Olympics in 2020, which is supposed to be taken place in Tokyo. We’re going to make it “Susteinalympics”, which means incorporating the view of sustainability into the world biggest sports festival and build a youth legacy for the following future. Through getting inspiration from Japanese youth’s action and thinking of the future of youth from different backgrounds, we attempt to make it real in 2020.
Youths from Climate Youth Japan
Q: What recommendation would you give to youths attending COP?
A: What I want to advice is that you should make it clear what kind of topics you are interested, that is specifying your objective is a key tip. As you probably know, COP has so many formal/ informal meetings and side events as well. Your days will basically be filled with plans, and it’s still too hard to track negotiation because there are so many topics being dealt with in COP. In my case, I focused on Loss and Damage and attended all open meetings and side events associated with it. (I also recommend you to read some negotiation drafts before COP just to get used to technical terms…) However, keeping your interest broader to some extent and being open-minded is also important. COP is a great chance to get to know about various organizations tackling climate change, and you might discover your future career path.
Q: What are the key messages you would like to share with youths in general?
A: We have a great role in being the connection between our generation and the future generation. I believe that we youths can change our society and even our world if we can cooperate with each other and involve people by showing our passion. I really hope you guys are continuously working on climate change and broaden our network on the global scale, and approach people locally at the same time!
Content and Media provided by Nagisa Yoshioka
Edited and Arranged by Xiandi
![Interventions – Two Minutes of Fame or Something Else?]()
by admin | Dec 8, 2017 | #MYD, #PowerShiftMsia, Blog, MYD2017, UNFCCC, YOUNGO
“Interventions” – it is one of the buzzwords at the UN climate conference. It’s a word the privileged folk in their fancy fur coats at the UN like to use to confuse the ordinary people (joking). But to break it down, it simply means the delivery of a statement or comment given during negotiations. And in this article, I would like to specifically talk about interventions given by constituencies.
The purpose of these interventions are to involve civil Non-Party Actors in the process of negotiations. Negotiations are only carried out by parties and blocs. Often, it’s a more symbolic act than anything else because there are also other avenues for civil society groups to influence negotiations (read, local NGOs stalking their local negotiators around and questioning them). But it serves as an important exercise for the constituencies to conceptualise their positions on the various issues and for negotiators to be reminded that the world does not revolve around their country and its’ national interests.
How interventions at the Conference Of Parties works, is that the various constituencies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are given the chance to offer two minute interventions during the negotiations on behalf of their constituency. If you run longer than two minutes, the mic would be cut off. A little bit unfair considering how negotiators are allowed to run on for as long as they like and some of them take a while to get to their point.
Few infographics on what constituencies are can be viewed here.
Within each constituency there are certain ‘house rules’ if one can use that term. RINGO for example prefers to remain non-partisan and does not comment on the party positions per se. Their interventions normally calls on the inclusion of more research, transparency and a consideration of data into the process of negotiations. I am unsure why these constituencies follow such rules. It could be because they are afraid of being too critical for fear they do not get called upon in the future to speak. Or perhaps because of this unspoken agreement that everyone should be as nice and as indirect as possible in these negotiation chambers.
Drafting these interventions are led by small groups of RINGO members, of which a couple volunteers (usually the first ones to volunteer) take charge of it and the entire constituency is free to contribute on google docs, as far as they are willing and able to. Every morning after the RINGO coordination meeting concludes at 10am, a small team of drafters meet up to work on as much of the intervention as possible – a process which I found muc satisfaction in. The art of diplomatic and succinct writing is key in this and I had a challenging but engaging time putting those skills to the test. Subsequently the intervention is carried out in the negotiation chamber by one of the drafting RINGO members, whom is decided upon by consensus by the team working on the document. At one point it boiled down to a game of scissors paper stone between me and another lady because both of us had put in just as much effort and were just as interested in talking.
Xiandi giving an intervention on behalf of YOUNGO.
YOUNGO on the other hand, has a slightly different and somewhat more haphazard system of working on interventions. The list of interventions is sent out via email and someone (usually the Focal Point if no one is interested enough) will start up a google doc and people chip in as and when they want to online. The choice of intervention is supposedly carried out by putting the names of all interested people into a hat and getting a random passersby to pick out a name. However for one intervention, one of our fellow delegates who had worked on a substantive amount of the document by herself, was not allowed to speak on behalf of YOUNGO because another Malaysian girl had spoken at another intervention earlier. Therefore representatives of this constituency are not necessarily the ones that drafted the document. A case of equity over equality perhaps.
To be able to give the intervention at the negotiations, is seen as something of a matter of pride, especially to YOUNGOs. Perhaps it is our urge to be recognised and taken seriously despite our youth. Or perhaps the constituency just happens to attract individuals who are more enthusiastic about being in the limelight. There are often many names submitted as speakers (although the number of drafters is considerably smaller). RINGOs too looks forward to delivering interventions as everyone likes their two minute of fame but their preoccupation with this is somewhat less.
Seriously though, if you got to deliver an intervention in the famous Chamber Hall, that would be so cool!
Sometimes individuals wait for hours in the negotiation room for their chance to give their two minute intervention. I heard a senior member of RINGO mention that once a representative had to deliver the intervention at 3am. In our case (the other girl won) the APA closing plenary at which she was to deliver the intervention, got suspended after an hour and only resumed at 7.30 pm. And was then suspended yet again (because parties are unable to arrive at a consensus) and eventually the secretariat decided not to have interventions for that plenary. For the CMP closing plenary, the representatives gave their interventions at 5 am in the morning.
That is the face of a man (Mike) who has gone without sleep, to deliver an intervention. Dedication!
In conclusion, I would say that the system of interventions is important as it highlights the importance of non-party stakeholder interventions in the process of negotiations. However individuals could perhaps be a little less preoccupied with getting their two minutes of fame and focus on delivering a solid, insightful intervention that reflects the views of the constituency as a whole.
Written and Photos by Lhavanya
Edited by Varun
![Are youths unified on the principle of CBDR?]()
by admin | Nov 13, 2017 | #MYD, MYD2017, UNFCCC, YOUNGO
In collaboration with the Malaysia Pavilion, the Malaysian Youth Delegation organised a Youth Forum entitled ‘The Importance of Youth Involvement in Climate Change Negotiations’. The purpose of the forum was to provide a platform in exchanging ideas and experience between Global North and Global South countries on how climate actions are operated back in their respective homes. The event was a bit special because it was the first of such a youth-led initiative held at the Malaysia Pavilion (only the 2nd one we’ve had at COP) and that is a mighty fine statement reflecting that the Malaysian government is willing and open to engage with MYD, or youths, in general. What made the forum a little bit special too was the fact that it was organised in conjunction with Youth and Future Generations (YFG) Day, which was a day to celebrate youth power and participation in UN climate change conferences.
Moderator and panellist for the Youth forum. From left to right; Syaqil (Malaysia), Lhavanya (Malaysia), Saffran (Sri Lanka), Mona (Germany), Sara (Sweden), Lagi (Fiji)
From left to right: Syaqil (Moderator, Malaysia), Lhavanya (MYD, Malaysia), Saffran (EarthLanka, Sri Lanka), Mona (CliMates, Germany), Sara (PUSH, Sweden) and Lagi (Project Survival Pacific, Fiji)
To reiterate the whole spirit of ‘Talanoa’ or togetherness, our invited panellists hailed collectively from the Global South and Global North, in the form of Fiji, Germany, Sri Lanka and Sweden, besides Malaysia of course. The forum was such that panellists had to answer 3 questions, each on the following topic:
- Tell us how in your country youths are playing a role in climate action?
- What is your view on the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities?
- How can youths support national climate change initiatives?
Given the privilege to moderate such a session, I had the opportunity to listen to views shared by our international youth panellists hence for this article, I shall add my perspective on addressing these questions on top of recalling the points delivered by the speakers:
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How youths from your country are playing a role in climate action
First off, an annual competition called the Toyota Eco Youth Awards was held whereby secondary schools from all over Malaysia designed and presented on eco-friendly projects that would help making their community live more sustainably. The simple yet innovative projects range from constructing household items from recyclable materials, to awareness campaigns aimed at changing people’s behaviour so that, for instance, they don’t dispose their used cooking oil down the sink. University students take the lead in climate change initiatives too. For example, the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus holds an annual Earth Hour celebration where all sorts of electrical appliances on campus are switched off for an hour, on top of having the commemorative candle walk around the University. As for Lagi of Fiji, he says that youths in Pacific islands in general are proactive in organizing grassroots activities as they are fully aware of the brunt they could be suffering as a result of climate change – losing their homes as a result of rising sea levels.
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Your view on the Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR)
My view on CBDR is that all youths’ view on this should be the same and it’s nice to know that two of the panellists from the Global North, Sara (Sweden) and Mona (Germany), think the same! Unfortunately, that’s not the case amongst the decision makers. Where developing countries are upholding the principle, developed countries tend to overlook it which inevitably leads to a clash in negotiations. According to Sara however, that is not the case amongst the Swedish decision-makers as they are upholding this principle when making their stance in negotiations as well as implementing this in their own national policy. Having said that, MYD’s very own Lhavanya made a good point in that the Global South should make it incumbent upon themselves to fulfil their own. CO2 emissions intensity cut regardless of obtaining enough technology transfer and financial assistance from the developed Global North nations. Mona says that the principle of CBDR shouldn’t even be an issue between developed and developing countries which just goes to show how unified youths are in having the same viewpoint to uphold this principle.
Full House in Malaysian Pavillion
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How youths can support national climate change initiatives
For one, I believe it is a great sign of intent for governments to be inclusive when they open up official platforms and channels for discussion in order to make inclusive and participatory decisions, and in my opinion, this is reflected by the ‘Transformasi Nasional 2050’ initiative. Having attended one of the dialogues organized by TN50, I was impressed at how the session was designed to collect sentiments on how Malaysians, from all walks of life, want the country to be in around 30 years’ time. According to Saffran, there exists a Youth Council on the Environment back in his home country, Sri Lanka, for youths to input their views when it comes to policy and decision making. In Sweden, Sara says that youth are engaged in a lot of grassroots initiatives too where the government is aware and in support of.
Looking forward, what I hope to gain from our Youth Forum as a result of a synthesis of ideas is for MYD to maintain the relationships built during the session. To me, it was pivotal and invaluable to have had the opportunity to learn from international youth NGOs on how they operate, the struggles they face back at home with regards to climate change as well as on an operational basis, and how they’re engaging with their government. With the lessons learnt, the Malaysian Youth Delegation can look back upon ourselves and further improve upon the gaps and shortcomings that we still possess.
Group picture with the Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Written by Syaqil
Edited by Varun
