That title is a reference to some thoughts by Eric’s friend Eric Traub in today’s subscriber issue. Whichever category the speech below falls in, I found it moving as hell. What follows is the address by Anjali Appadurai, from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, to the COP-17 UN Conference on Climate Change. She spoke on behalf of youth non-governmental organizations. The chairperson who introduces her states afterward, “And on a purely personal note, I wonder why we let not speak half of the world’s population first in this conference, but only last.” You can read the full rush transcript at Democracy Now! — but I encourage you to watch the video clip there, to get the full force of her passion. – amanda
I speak for more than half the world’s population. We are the silent majority. You’ve given us a seat in this hall, but our interests are not on the table. What does it take to get a stake in this game? Lobbyists? Corporate influence? Money? You’ve been negotiating all my life. In that time, you’ve failed to meet pledges, you’ve missed targets, and you’ve broken promises. But you’ve heard this all before.
We’re in Africa, home to communities on the front line of climate change. The world’s poorest countries need funding for adaptation now. The Horn of Africa and those nearby in KwaMashu needed it yesterday. But as 2012 dawns, our Green Climate Fund remains empty. The International Energy Agency tells us we have five years until the window to avoid irreversible climate change closes. The science tells us that we have five years maximum. You’re saying, “Give us 10.”
The most stark betrayal of your generation’s responsibility to ours is that you call this “ambition.” Where is the courage in these rooms? Now is not the time for incremental action. In the long run, these will be seen as the defining moments of an era in which narrow self-interest prevailed over science, reason and common compassion.
There is real ambition in this room, but it’s been dismissed as radical, deemed not politically possible. Stand with Africa. Long-term thinking is not radical. What’s radical is to completely alter the planet’s climate, to betray the future of my generation, and to condemn millions to death by climate change. What’s radical is to write off the fact that change is within our reach. 2011 was the year in which the silent majority found their voice, the year when the bottom shook the top. 2011 was the year when the radical became reality.
Common, but differentiated, and historical responsibility are not up for debate. Respect the foundational principles of this convention. Respect the integral values of humanity. Respect the future of your descendants. Mandela said, “It always seems impossible, until it’s done.” So, distinguished delegates and governments around the world, governments of the developed world, deep cuts now. Get it done.
… and just look what those darn kids are doing now! Power to the Peeps!!
The young and the restless: Kids sue government over climate change
http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-08-the-young-and-the-restless-kids-sue-government-over-climate-chan
As the U.S. delegation drags its feet at the climate talks in Durban, South Africa, this week, a pack of kids back home is trying to force the old folks into action, the American way: They’re suing the bastards.
In May, a group of young people, led by 17-year-old Alec Loorz (founder of Kids vs. Global Warming), filed 10 lawsuits, one against the federal government and the others against individual states, to compel the government to take action on climate change…
Wow, that’s a great clip! thanks for posting.
Amanda: Good question. Such things are never quite black-and-white, eh. Speaking for myself, it seems that Anjali Appadurai is in the role of “authoritative” parent, attempting to lead from partnership in the absence of such leadership from those who would be expected to provide it if they were not so focused on being authoritarian. Howzat?
so len… i’m curious as to which category you think her address falls into, but no need to say here if you prefer.
🙂
i’ve gone back and forth, myself. but even if it does qualify as “railing,” i still love it and i’m glad she delivered it as she did. i actually got a bit emotional at the end — her strength was powerful, not hysterical, and beautiful. “my entire life,” she says, leaders have been dragging their heels on this issue. that really put it in perspective for me.
“It always seems impossible, until it’s done.” So… Get it done.
Really, what else is there to say!
How synchronistic! I stopped by the College of the Atlantic, just last Mon. Dec. 5th, to see about getting a show of my water paintings in the Gallery there. The students had left for Holiday break already……….and there was a forsythia bush with blossoms on it.
Last time I was in Bar Harbor in December ( for a contra dance, 19 years ago ) it was freezing cold with ice & snow on the ground.
I still have my Little Golden Book/Nature in Acadia National Park published 1964. It gives the average daytime temperature as 64o. It was 50o in my back yard today!
Yes. Get it Done!
Amanda: After taking some time to contemplate, it seems as though you are precisely correct in correlating the quote you so generously provided to the perspective provided by Eric Traub. Thank you for the reinforcing parallel.