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Copenhagen blog: Am I a climate hypocrite?

Submitted by Caroline Lee

Wake up world leaders.jpg

The idea of a climate change activist traveling abroad to attend a climate change event often raises serious scepticism. I have been questioned numerous times: wouldn't climate change be less of a problem if people like you just stayed home?

I argue, no.

In my own moral compass, I undertake actions that I believe if everyone in the world took, this would be a fair and just place. I am fully supportive of every young person in the world travelling abroad to fight for a meaningful cause, where we can send the message directly to the people who make decisions in this world and catalyze real change.

Here is why I spent the 15,000 air kilometres to attend these talks:

  1. These negotiations are critical in determining the key actions the world is going to make in the next decade with respect to climate change. As the head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says: "What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment." We have a key opportunity before us.
  2. Until technology allows us to replicate the human connection that comes with direct communication, face-to-face interaction will be many-fold more effective than video conference calling tens of thousands of delegates. Direct lobbying, and the physical presence of impassioned citizens calling for real climate justice, produces an effect that cannot be replicated through telecommunications.
  3. The youth presence here is influencing these negotiations. With heightened media coverage on these talks and on citizens creating a strong voice for greater ambition, our message is getting heard.

I came to Copenhagen because I believe we have the real opportunity to alter the course of history here. The youth presence at these talks is a veritable force, and we are catalyzing change along with all the other voices calling for a climate just world.

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