I’m scared. The negotiations were supposed to finish today. And world leaders, so far as we can tell, are nowhere near close to a legally binding and fair agreement on climate change. So the discussions continue through the night and into tomorrow, probably through Sunday as well.
I’m scared about what will happen the coming weekend.
I’m scared about what will happen, what impacts will be caused from climate change, this year.
I’m scared about the future, for the birds, and our beautiful rainforests, for African’s who are losing their crops, and Kiribati people who are sinking, for coral reefs and for bumblebees.
I’m scared about the children that we bring into this world. What will their future be like?
I’m scared for Nelson. Simon Upton told me the other night that Nelson would be one of the first places in NZ to be affected by rising sea levels caused by climate change.
I’m scared for my future. In 50 years I’ll be 68 years old. By then, scientists predict that polar bears will be extinct, and eating fish will be a treat.
I have put my faith in the people that our country has decided would leader our country best. My future will be determined by the desicions they make tonight. I believe in hope. When the world says ‘give up’, hope says ‘try again one more time’. But sometimes I worry that we have put too much reliance on the few people that we have sent to Copenhagen to represent NZ. I am concerned about our leaders, at this very tough time, and how they will be coping, as they are getting very little sleep and are working very hard. I wish I could help them. I wish I could bake them cookies, but the security guards would be sure to take them off me. Instead we are writing love letters. We have written lots of love letters, to John Key himself, that have been sent in by individuals from around New Zealand. We, as youth, are the most trusting people on the planet. We will stand behind our leaders and support them all the way. We can only hope that they won’t let us down.
John Key, Nick Smith, and all the other “Negotiaters” that we have sent to Cop15 are, after all, only people. As much as they try, they cannot help being human. They form their own opinions, they have their own past experiences, and they have more than enough expectations placed on them. Copenhagen is not an easy ordeal for them.
I believe that we cannot rely on these individuals to determine our fate, especially at a time so critical to our future. This issue is too important. We must take further action. Individual and community action will lead to policy change. We must start on grassroots level and change our habits, change our systems and not wait for the systems to change us.
I believe you are right Brittany to be worried about the fate of the island nations and about Nelson. Unless the major nations( incl China) start on limiting greenhouse gases and set targets within next 2 years there will be major consequences for you and your generation.
I spoke with Dean Schneider in Nelson recently and asked about the Green teens. I am beginning to set up a Youth Sustainability Challenge in NZ and would like your input. It is a programme running from age 13 to 23 with regular individual and group challenges, mentoring and internships in like-minded organisations such as SBN ,CWS and Amnesty International.
What I want to know is
1. When and how you became aware of sustainability issues? What were they?
2. Who has been your greatest inspiration and/or supporter?
3. What sort of activity or academic programme do you see as extending your knowledge and skills to become a future sustainability leader? (for example see Forum for the Future run by Sara Parkin and Johnathon Porrit in UK)