The last round of negotiations before COP 15 in Copenhagen will take place from the 2-6 of November. The resumed ninth session of the the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and resumed seventh session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) will be held in Barcelona. .
I am personally one to focus on positive re-encouragment during debates, but the Climate has come to a critical point where we need to come together and act as much, as fast and as efficient as possible.
During Bali 2007, we delivered “Fossil of the Day” Awards to increase international community pressure on the biggest offenders and the worst-performing nations at the UN climate talks. We are again coordinating global action, working with Avaaz.org.
The ‘Fossil of the Day’ awards will be presented daily, during Barcelona intersessionals, with a video of the ceremony produced and circulated via facebook and via the Fossil of the Day website. To amplify the shame, we need to use the tested tactic of an ‘embassy campaign’ . This way the blamed country will receive shameful attention at the UN negotiations as well as in their own country at the embassies.
We need to make it clear that individual citizens all over the world are watching the UNFCCC process and that we care and vote according to the outcomes.
Embassies are required to report daily on events that happen in their vicinity, so this is a genius way to make efficient use of your time.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
As many days as possible next week (to coincide with the UNFCCC Barcelona intersessional meeting), you and/or a group of warm souls visit the embassy of that day’s ‘Fossil awardee’.
The fossil awardee each day will be listed here- there will also be all the information you need to validate the award and present the award with full understanding!
Prepare a ‘Fossil of the Day’ trophy (looks a little like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugar/3967927109/in/photostream/ ), call the embassy of the recipient country, and make an appointment to see the Ambassador and/or the person who deals with the climate negotations, and ask for an appointment that same day.
Rock up to the embassy, present the award to the highest-ranking official you can find (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugar/3967926755/in/photostream/), letting them know that you are paying attention to the UNFCCC talks and that you were disappointed with their nation’s performance.
Take a photo or video and send it to the Fossil of the Day team!
Dear Ms. Mullen,
I think this sort of negative encouragement is entirely appropriate for the situation as it was with the Bali negotiations, what a nice quick way to evoke awareness of where our responsibilities are supposed to be directed. My biggest regret though is that Canada was at the receiving end of the first place trophy (and rightfully so) and may not fair so well this time around.
But I like this ‘what you can do’ situation (seems like you are the right person to be getting ideas on how to get involved) since there are a lot of us out there who want to help. I’m from Toronto, so if there are any embassies in my city that come up I’d like to take the opportunity to deliver a trophy. Seems like a pretty bold gesture but no doubt an important one.
Yours truly,
R.J.
What a great idea! Melanie, you are making a big difference in this small world.
I really like the idea of the fossil of the day awards and incorporating the act of embarrassment. lets face it, no one likes to feel embarrassed. Keep us posted on the progress…
I will definately keep you all posted about the “Fossil of the Day Awards” and yes R.J. Canada is often highlighted as a “blocker” in the UN negotiation progress- but only you and I can change that by being more active in our political arena.
There are many government Embassies in Toronto, Ontario, the address and phone numbers are listed in Google maps at:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADBF_enCA297CA297&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Government+Embassy+in+Toronto&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=Government+Embassy&hnear=Toronto&view=text&ei=qeXtSq_oDJCMMavbhIQM&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=4&ved=0CCkQtQMwAw