The UN climate talks wrapped up today. These talks were the second of six lined up this year, with the goal of reaching a post-2012 global climate agreement by December in Copenhagen at the annual meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change. 

Based on this latest round of talks, it’s clear that the world community has a long way to go. There are still large areas of divergence on critical issues, such as emissions reductions targets and the scale and source of financing.

As we count down to Copenhagen, however, we remain cautiously hopeful that as the process moves forward and pressure builds, the almost 200 countries that are part of the Convention, including the U.S., will come together to sign a strong agreement in December – one that includes immediate, aggressive and scientifically sound emissions targets, robust adaptation funding for communities most vulnerable to climate change, and measures to protect the world’s forests as well as the livelihoods and rights of the people who depend on them.

We go home exhausted, but energized. Even with a relatively small team here, CARE was able to directly influence Parties’ positions and make a difference in the negotiations. We did that by working in partnership with others, such as the Climate Action Network and the Accra Caucus.

Negotiators have a lot of work to do between now and December. But so do we, as members of the world community. We must raise our voices and raise them hard, so that our leaders feel the pressure and come to a strong post-2012 global climate agreement in Copenhagen.

The people with whom CARE works – the people who will be most affected by the negative consequences of climate change – deserve nothing less.

Tonya and Christina

We are parents who hold our children on our lap while listening to conference calls about the latest developments in fighting poverty. We are individuals who hold corporate jobs and sneak to an empty cubicle to call our politicians on pending humanitarian issues being voted on in Congress that day. We are students, who arrange to be absent from class for 2 days so we can travel to DC on our own dime to attend the CARE National Conference and lobby with our officials about hunger and gender-based violence. We are retirees that use our free time to meet with Senators in our home district to make sure they know that their constituents want action for the mother in India, Africa and Asia who has to choose which child to feed that night.

Yesterday, Congress passed H.R. 2410, a bill that includes authorization for an Office for Global Women's Issues. The Prevention of Child Marriage provisions, also provisions for Food Security are included in that bill. These are the issues which CARE advocates took to Washington, DC last month.

Yesterday, I felt a personal connected to this legislation. It could be because I’m a CARE advocate or maybe because I'm a woman, but I think it is because I am human.

Thank you fellow volunteer CARE advocates for leading these double lives. The joy of yesterday happened in part – because of you.

Words are pretty important at these UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany. Over the past nine days, my CARE colleagues and I have been meeting with negotiators in Bonn and suggesting what words should (or is it shall?) be included in the legal text of the post-2012 global climate change agreement.

I’ve been covering the adaptation negotiations. And in this context, we’ve been advocating for words in the legal text that highlight the importance of prioritizing adaptation funding for the communities, populations and people most vulnerable to climate change, as well as words that underscore the importance of inclusive, transparent and participatory decision making.

Basically, as an organization that works with some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, we want the post-2012 agreement to ensure that funding for adaptation reaches the people most vulnerable to climate change and to ensure that they have a firm role in making decisions that will directly affect them. Because let’s face it. The people most vulnerable to climate change did not cause climate change, they will need the most support to adapt to new climate conditions, and unless it is made explicit in the agreement, they may not have any say in decisions about how to adapt.

Getting these kinds of words into the negotiating text, and keeping them in the text, will give organizations like CARE and the poor communities with which we work something to stand on once a global agreement is signed, ratified and put into practice at the national level. We’ve learned from our 60 years of experience working with some of the world’s poorest communities that, when these principles are articulated and upheld in practice, our efforts to reduce poverty and social injustice are more effective and sustainable. When the UN talks started last week, the kinds of words we are advocating for were few and far between in the negotiating text.

Over the past nine days, I have had a few “up” days – days when I could find humor in the moment, as we’ve talked words. Like the time I started a conversation by saying, “Thank you for meeting with us. I would like to speak with you about the principles governing the institutional arrangements that will operationalize the financial mechanisms under the post-2012 agreement.” I had to laugh. Because where else but at a UN climate change meeting would these words, all strung up together, make sense to anyone?

I have also had “down” days – days when I’ve wondered about the futility of our efforts. Together with the rest of the CARE team and other NGO folk here, I’ve analyzed text, drafted up recommended language, met with Party delegates and asked them to champion these recommendations. I was not always so sure, however, whether what we are doing will actually make a difference.

And so today, when the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change circulated the newest version of the text on adaptation, I nearly fell out of my chair. The newest version of the text is based on submissions received by Party delegations last night, after they had their first reading of the negotiating text on adaptation. They were given an opportunity to add new language and point out places where they had reservations or objections.

This newest text is not perfect, and there is still a lot of work to be done. But it is definitely moving in the right direction. There is language about prioritizing most vulnerable communities, populations and people. There are also references to inclusive processes and decision-making at the lowest appropriate levels.

Like I said, the words in this newest text are not perfect. They can certainly be strengthened. But, for now, they are there. And they are there, in part, because we raised our voices on behalf of the communities with which we work, and we were heard.

So today was definitely an up day.

Christina

Oh to be young again…

When I first heard there were regular meetings for the development and negotiation of the next climate change agreement, I pictured in my head … well, I wasn’t sure what to picture in my head.  But I figured it would be a lot of “professionals” running around in suits and talking on cell phones and frantically typing on blackberries. I pictured very formal proceedings and a lot of behind closed door meetings.  While some of that is indeed the case, in fact, these negotiations have a lot more “flavor.”

For starters, the process is really quite an open one.  While those of us who work with Congress believe our leaders to have a fairly open door approach, we know that a meeting with a member isn’t the norm and that you can’t just waltz into the Capitol Building.  The UNFCCC negotiations, however, enable advocates to witness the discussions, to meet regularly with delegations from around the world, and to roam the halls side by side with delegates.  It’s impressive and encouraging that representatives of so many different communities are able to be here as a voice for those who cannot be. 

And speaking of who is there – another bit of a surprise.  Plenty of the participants in the negotiations are the usual suspects: government officials, environmental NGOs, and development NGOs.  And there are people from all over the world – this is the UN, after all.  But then there are the youth.  And amidst all these officials and professionals, the youth bring a fresh perspective and energy to the conversations and efforts here in Bonn to push the international community to tackle climate change.  Watching them navigate the crowded conference center reminds us that we, too, once believed that we could change the world – and that we need to believe that again. Every day. 

And their actions are outside the box.  Sure, over these two weeks there are meetings.  There’s drafting of text.  And emailing – there’s a lot of emailing.  But then there are the other “events.”  There are more ways to influence the negotiations than setting up a meeting.  There’s “name and shame.”  An umbrella NGO group issues a daily “Fossil of the Day,” an award given to countries that perform the worst during that day of negotiations.  For instance, the US was awarded the fossil recently for giving the impression that our domestic legislation will provide far more funding for poor countries than is necessarily the case.  Let’s just say it was “fuzzy math.” 

And then there are tactics that use creativity, irony, and a bit more bluntness than you might see in a formal meeting.  One day, a group of youth held a mock negotiation session at which each person wore a paper mask resembling one of the world’s leaders. In essence, the youth held up a mirror to the world’s leaders and said, “this is what you sound and look like.”  No one can hide from the mirror.  Another day, members of a grassroots group laid in the grass in formation to create a giant exclamation point with the text: “Yes You Can” and the slogan of their campaign, tck tck tck, emphasizing the short amount of time leaders have to conclude a climate deal.  The took their photo and posted it on the web: http://www.humanvoicesnow.org/20090606photos-bonn/20090606_aerial_photo_271.jpg 

And finally, my personal favorite, virtually every day, the negotiations are quietly observed by a special guest reminding leaders of what we need to accomplish this year.  The polar bear.  He slouches in the hall – where leaders and advocates and activists walk every day.  And his sign reads, “No Coins. It’s Change I Need.”  That change is needed for us all – but most especially for the poorest of the poor. 

Each day is a new opportunity and each day we advocate for action of behalf of the world’s poor.  The youth here energize us to push through the 16 hour work days.  And the youth push us to go beyond the formal meetings and the gazillion emails – and to look up from our blackberries.  We each have our own version of why we do the work we do.  And it’s valuable – and critical – to have periodic reminders of our own beginnings.  The youth are that reminder – of those days when we felt that the world was far simpler than we feel it is now.  When the world was truly about justice – and less about what’s “realistic.”  Robert F. Kennedy is often quoted as having said, “There are those that look at things as they are and ask why.  I dream things that never were and say ‘why not?’”  And the youth continue to do that.  They see what’s wrong and how it should be and say, why not?  And they put that conviction into action. 

Feeling young again…

~Tonya

When

Oh to be young again…

When I first heard there were regular meetings for the development and negotiation of the next climate change agreement, I pictured in my head … well, I wasn’t sure what to picture in my head.  But I figured it would be a lot of “professionals” running around in suits and talking on cell phones and frantically typing on blackberries. I pictured very formal proceedings and a lot of behind closed door meetings.  While some of that is indeed the case, in fact, these negotiations have a lot more “flavor.”

For starters, the process is really quite an open one.  While those of us who work with Congress believe our leaders to have a fairly open door approach, we know that a meeting with a member isn’t the norm and that you can’t just waltz into the Capitol Building.  The UNFCCC negotiations, however, enable advocates to witness the discussions, to meet regularly with delegations from around the world, and to roam the halls side by side with delegates.  It’s impressive and encouraging that representatives of so many different communities are able to be here as a voice for those who cannot be. 

And speaking of who is there – another bit of a surprise.  Plenty of the participants in the negotiations are the usual suspects: government officials, environmental NGOs, and development NGOs.  And there are people from all over the world – this is the UN, after all.  But then there are the youth.  And amidst all these officials and professionals, the youth bring a fresh perspective and energy to the conversations and efforts here in Bonn to push the international community to tackle climate change.  Watching them navigate the crowded conference center reminds us that we, too, once believed that we could change the world – and that we need to believe that again. Every day. 

And their actions are outside the box.  Sure, over these two weeks there are meetings.  There’s drafting of text.  And emailing – there’s a lot of emailing.  But then there are the other “events.”  There are more ways to influence the negotiations than setting up a meeting.  There’s “name and shame.”  An umbrella NGO group issues a daily “Fossil of the Day,” an award given to countries that perform the worst during that day of negotiations.  For instance, the US was awarded the fossil recently for giving the impression that our domestic legislation will provide far more funding for poor countries than is necessarily the case.  Let’s just say it was “fuzzy math.” 

And then there are tactics that use creativity, irony, and a bit more bluntness than you might see in a formal meeting.  One day, a group of youth held a mock negotiation session at which each person wore a paper mask resembling one of the world’s leaders. In essence, the youth held up a mirror to the world’s leaders and said, “this is what you sound and look like.”  No one can hide from the mirror.  Another day, members of a grassroots group laid in the grass in formation to create a giant exclamation point with the text: “Yes You Can” and the slogan of their campaign, tck tck tck, emphasizing the short amount of time leaders have to conclude a climate deal.  The took their photo and posted it on the web: http://www.humanvoicesnow.org/20090606photos-bonn/20090606_aerial_photo_271.jpg 

And finally, my personal favorite, virtually every day, the negotiations are quietly observed by a special guest reminding leaders of what we need to accomplish this year.  The polar bear.  He slouches in the hall – where leaders and advocates and activists walk every day.  And his sign reads, “No Coins. It’s Change I Need.”  That change is needed for us all – but most especially for the poorest of the poor. 

Each day is a new opportunity.  Each day we advocate for action of behalf of the world’s poor.  The youth here energize us to push through the 16 hour work days.  And the youth push us to go beyond the formal meetings and the gazillion emails – and to look up from our blackberries.  We each have our own version of why we do the work we do.  And it’s valuable – and critical – to have periodic reminders of our own beginnings.  The youth are that reminder – of those days when we felt that the world was far simpler than we feel it is now.  When the world was truly about justice – and less about what’s “realistic.”  Robert F. Kennedy is often quoted as having said, “There are those that look at things as they are and ask why.  I dream things that never were and say ‘why not?’”  And the youth continue to do that.  They see what’s wrong and how it should be and say, why not?  And they put that conviction into action. 

Feeling young again...

~Tonya

Last night, CARE and UN University presented a joint report on climate induced migration at the UN climate meetings in Bonn. More than 80 people attended the event, including negotiators from the Bangladesh, Mexico, Denmark, Maldives, and Australia delegations. Given the turn out, it was a great opportunity for us to share with key negotiators our advocacy messages about the importance of a strong global climate agreement.

UN University interviewed 2,000 people in 24 countries. Across the board, people who were interviewed reported that environmental stressors are already a major driver of migration. What the report shows us is that climate change will put unprecedented pressure on people to migrate. The numbers of people migrating will be at a scale never before seen in history.

Take the example of Egypt. If sea levels rise two meters over Egypt’s Nile Delta, land that is home to 10.7 million people, or a quarter of Egypt’s population, will be inundated. Some 518 hectares – a third of the delta’s farmland – will disappear under water. This will put an enormous amount of pressure on people’s ability to secure a decent livelihood, and they may be forced to migrate.

This case study in Egypt underscores a very important message. Negotiators at Bonn, including the US delegation, have an opportunity to reduce the risk of climate-induced migration. They can reduce the odds of dangerous sea level rise in places like Egypt and around the world by negotiating a strong UN climate agreement with immediate, aggressive and scientifically sound emissions reductions targets. It’s about investing in prevention, and not waiting to address the challenge until large numbers of people are forced to migrate.

There is an equally important way that climate negotiators can reduce the risk of climate-induced migration at the scale that is projected in the study. They can arrive at an agreement that will help build the resilience of especially vulnerable populations and people so that they do have choices, they can secure their livelihoods, and they are not forced to migrate. Negotiators need to agree on robust financing for adaptation in developing countries. That financing must reach people who need it most. The global climate agreement must also be enshrined in the principles of inclusive, transparent and participatory decision making. Especially vulnerable populations and people must have a voice. This will make the agreement, once it is put into practice, profoundly more effective.

We will keep drumming this message at these negotiations.

Yours truly,

The CARE climate change team in Bonn

Here we are in Bonn, Germany.  So far, seven of us from CARE International have arrived, representing CARE Denmark, CARE Brazil, and CARE USA.  Why are we here?  Well, the world is writing a new global climate change agreement, which is expected to be signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December. The negotiating text must be submitted six months in advance – so by June 18. This is the last chance the citizens of the world have to make sure that the issues that matter to us are on the table. 

NGOs from across the world had their first strategy session Sunday afternoon.  From this it became clear that the job ahead of us is a big one.  Most of the world’s governments seem to be relaxing their expectations of what can be achieved in Copenhagen. 

Despite this, the mood here the day before the action started was upbeat. We are all keen to make sure that the negotiators hear our messages and get their act together.

CARE is here because climate change is the biggest threat facing the world’s poor. While climate change affects us all, the poorest of the poor will be affected the most – and they are the least responsible for causing it. But you all know that.

We’re at a make-or-break moment, and we must keep the pressure on or we risk a negotiating text with low emissions reduction targets, weak support for adaptation for the most vulnerable populations, and measures to protect forests at the expense of those who depend on them. 

Negotaiations began yesterday.  For two weeks, we’ll be here with thousands of others following the negotiations and advocating for policies that address the needs and interests of the world’s poorest people. We’ll keep you posted as the days go on.

Signing off for now,

The CARE team at Bonn

Charles, Christina, Morten, Phil, Poul Erik, Raja, Tonya