INSIDE COP 11
contents: summer 2006
ELIZABETH MAY, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SIERRA CLUB
OF CANADA
The Eleventh Conference of the Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention
on Climate Change (COP 11) coinciding with the first Meeting
of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP-MOP 1) sounds so
overwhelmingly bureaucratic that it is hard to imagine such
a mouthful could be exciting. In fact, the Montreal climate
conference was one of the great triumphs of the global movement
of citizen activists for action on climate change.
The fact that the conference was held in Canada at all
was the result of pressure from Canadian civil society.
The "buzz" about Canada potentially hosting started
in the fall of 2004 at COP 10 in Buenos Aires. With Russian
ratification of Kyoto complete, everyone knew it would be
coming into force on February 16, 2005. The reality of (at
long last) having Kyoto a legally binding treaty made COP 11
a particularly significant gathering with a heavy agenda.
The optics of holding the conference in Canada were very
attractive. No climate negotiation had ever taken place
in North America. The idea of having Canada host was appealing
as it would provide an ideal opportunity to educate the
US, governments, media and public, to the reality that Kyoto
was not dead. Environmental groups and leading Canadian
business, such as Alcan, urged former Prime Minister Paul
Martin to hold the meeting in Canada. He agreed.
The stakes against success were enormous. The United States
was unyielding in the lead up, admitting climate change
was real, but seeking to undermine Kyoto with voluntary
(useless) alternative mechanisms of its own, such as the
Asia Pacific Technology Partnership Agreement.
Former Environment Minister Stephane Dion deserves enormous
credit for the most intensive advance work of any Environment
Minister. As host country, our Minister of Environment moved
to the position of President of COP 11. Months before the
official acceptance of the title, Dion was doing shuttle
diplomacy to find common ground among the many different
factions in the negotiations.
In September, members of Climate Action Network from around
the world gathered in Montreal to set out our strategy.
We looked at the increasing urgency of the science. We need
reductions on the order of 30% below 1990 levels by 2020
to avoid "tipping points" sometimes called "points
of no return." Ultimately, we need reductions of 80%
below 1990 by 2050. Activists from around the world set
out the minimum set of good results from COP-MOP 1 if we
were to have any hope of reaching these mid and long term
goals. The current "Kyoto targets" are to be achieved
in the period between 2008-2012, called the "first
commitment period." Critical progress in Montreal would
include the launch of serious, fast-tracked negotiations
to have a new commitment period starting in 2013. Then we
looked to see what governments would accept those positions.
At that point, we could only identify Canada as a "maybe."
No governments were lined up in the column supporting strong
decisions.
The situation was not promising, but things became much
worse. On the opening day of the conference, Opposition
Parties defeated the Martin Government. Thousands of diplomats
and negotiators form around the world were stunned. No host
government has ever fallen in the midst of climate negotiations.
Dion was magnificent. He reassured people that he was full
time President of COP 11. Domestic politics and campaigning
would wait until after the negotiations were over. He more
than kept his word. He worked tirelessly.
Throughout the conference, every day environmentalists
from around the world met in strategy sessions. We compared
information. What delegation might shift? Which developing
countries were most interested in pursuing the Clean Development
Mechanism? Which industrialized countries were prepared
to negotiate real targets for the commitment period after
2012?
The US delegation, as expected, was obstructionist, at
one point walking out of high-level talks. It turned out
to be a very tense moment for former US President Bill Clinton
to come and speak (at our invitation), but his diplomacy
and commitment to real reductions helped force the US to
behave. Then the Russians nearly scuttled the deal. The
last round of negotiations ran all through the night of
December 9th, into the wee hours of December 10th.
Ultimately, at 6:17 AM after more than 36 hours of straight
negotiations, Dion gaveled in all the decisions that had
been set out as our "best case" result back in
September. Every single decision that came out of COP-MOP 1
was from the "strong decision" column, where just
months before, not a single government stood. Miraculous.
KATHARINE SANDIFORD, NORTHERN CLIMATE EXCHANGE
Welcome to the first electronic edition of Weathering Change.
Although funding cuts, program cancellations, and staff
reductions have led us to make this switch, we feel it is
a huge improvement and welcome change from our paper version.
The title is fitting, for indeed, this little newsletter
is weathering the change, rolling with the punches, and
striving to adapt to whatever the political or financial
climate may be. And in the end, we are saving money, sparing
trees, and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
This is the first of many issues to come. Apologies for
the retrospective or seemingly out-of-date theme. COP 11
feels like lightyears away. But perhaps now, in the midst
of so much rethinking on Canada's stance in the global climate
change negotiations, is a good time to look back and remember
the strength of our role as COP11 host country and as chair
of the United Nations discussions on climate change.
The climate is changing... and so are we.
STEPHANE DION, FORMER MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Editor's note: We have republished here Stephane Dion's
succinct and powerful speech from the opening ceremony of
Arctic Day, a parallel event at COP 11. The purpose of Arctic
day is to raise awareness of the impact of climate change
on the Arctic and peoples living in the Arctic.
Good morning everyone.
Canada, as an Arctic nation, is proud to support the first
Arctic Day. This is an opportunity to bring the Arctic to
this forum and highlight both scientific, traditional knowledge
and the culture of Northern indigenous peoples.
I would like to thank the many Elders who have come from
so far to be a part of this day to share their invaluable
and traditional knowledge with us. I’d also like to
thank Liseanne Forand from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada,
Jose Kusugak, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami,
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference,
Grand Chief Andy Carvill from the Yukon First Nations, Dr.
Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations
Environment Program, and Ms. Okpik Pitseolak for leading
this morning’s opening ceremony.
The future of the North is critical to the health of our
planet.
Increasing global concentrations of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases due to human activities, primarily
fossil fuel burning, are projected to contribute to additional
arctic warming of about 4-7°C over the next 100 years.
Increasing precipitation, shorter and warmer winters, and
substantial decreases in snow cover and ice cover are among
the projected changes that are very likely to persist for
centuries.
Arctic vegetation zones are very likely to shift, causing
wide-ranging impacts.
Disturbances such as insect outbreaks and forest fires
are very likely to increase in frequency, severity, and
duration, facilitating invasions by non-native species.
Animal species' diversity, ranges, and distribution will
change.
Reductions in sea ice will drastically shrink marine habitat
for polar bears, ice-inhabiting seals, and some seabirds,
pushing some species toward extinction.
The Arctic is not a laboratory, not only a place to conduct
expeditions; it is a place where people live, with a rich
culture that has evolved over thousands of years.
Because of global warming, indigenous communities are facing
major economic and cultural impacts.
Many Indigenous Peoples depend on hunting polar bear, walrus,
seals, and caribou, herding reindeer, fishing, and gathering,
not only for food and to support the local economy, but
also as the basis for cultural and social identity.
How is climate change affecting the peoples of the North,
threatening their livelihood and cultural survival?
The reduction in sea ice will have serious consequences
for polar bears, ice-dependent seals, and local people for
whom these animals are a primary food source.
Many coastal communities and facilities face increasing
exposure to storms.
In some cases, communities and industrial facilities in
coastal zones are already threatened or being forced to
relocate, while others face increasing risks and costs.
Thawing ground will disrupt transportation, buildings,
and other infrastructure.
Transportation and industry on land, including oil and
gas extraction and forestry, will increasingly be disrupted
by the shortening of the periods during which ice roads
and tundra are frozen sufficiently to permit travel.
As frozen ground thaws, many existing buildings, roads,
pipelines, airports, and industrial facilities are likely
to be destabilized, requiring substantial rebuilding, maintenance,
and investment.
What is happening to the Arctic is a harbinger of things
to come in the rest of the world.
Arctic warming and its consequences have worldwide implications.
Melting of highly reflective arctic snow and ice reveals
darker land and ocean surfaces, increasing absorption of
the sun’s heat and further warming the planet.
Increases in glacial melt and river runoff add more freshwater
to the ocean, raising global sea level and possibly slowing
the ocean circulation that brings heat from the tropics
to the poles, affecting global and regional climate.
We recognize the importance of the Arctic Council in addressing
the many common concerns and challenges emerging from climate
change and providing a forum for collective action on shared
priorities.
Not only does the Arctic Council engage Arctic nations,
it also includes six Permanent Participants that represent
Northern indigenous peoples who actively bring their voice
to the work of the Council. This inclusive process ensures
that steps forward to protect our shared Arctic will integrate
social, cultural, health and economic components.
Last November, the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment was
received at the fourth Arctic Council Ministerial meeting
in Reykjavik, Iceland. This is the first climate assessment
of the Arctic – a result of four years of international
efforts from over 300 scientists, as well as traditional
knowledge of Northern Indigenous peoples.
The Assessment confirms what our own science and the people
of the Arctic have been telling us for many years: the Arctic
is already experiencing some of the most rapid and severe
climate change on earth.
We welcome the upcoming International Polar Year beginning
in 2007, co-sponsored by the International Council for Science
and the World Meteorological Organization.
This is the first International Polar Year that includes
a focus on the human, social and economic dimensions of
life in the North.
This year will enhance knowledge of Polar regions, encourage
cooperative Arctic research, raise awareness of Arctic climate
change issues and create significant linkages to climate,
ecosystems and communities around the world.
The main goal is to carry out an innovative, interdisciplinary
program for International Polar Year (IPY) along with our
international partners.
As a key deliverable for International Polar Year, the
Government of Canada is supporting a targeted science and
research program focused on two of Canada's most important
challenges for its northern regions - climate change impacts
and adaptation, and the health and well-being of northern
communities.
Funds will be allocated to academic, government and community
researchers through a competitive, peer review process.
With this funding, Canada will be able to provide leadership
internationally on projects in which Canadian scientists
have renowned expertise.
It is also critical that the stories of the Arctic indigenous
peoples be heard. That is why people from across the Arctic
are here today –as witnesses of the impacts of climate
change and as catalysts for action to slow that change in
their homelands.
I look forward to reading the Arctic Youth’s Video
Declaration, which I understand will be presented later
today. I have heard that this video clearly underlines our
responsibility to act now to ensure the future for our children
and childrens’ children. It puts the human face on
climate change and inspires us, as leaders, to do more.
Bringing greater awareness of the sensitivity of climate
change impacts to the Arctic is a key step in accomplishing
our common goal.
I wish you great success on this extremely important task.
Thank you.
SHEILA WATT-CLOUTIER, CHAIR, INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR CONFERENCE
Editor's note: Sheila Watt-Cloutier announced a Climate
Change Petition by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference to the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights during a side
event at COP 11. Following are excerpts from her speech.
For more than 20 years Inuit hunters and elders have reported
changes to the natural environment. Science and traditional
knowledge are saying the same thing: melting permafrost,
thinning and ablation of sea ice, receding glaciers, "invasion"
of species of animals not previously seen in the Arctic,
increased coastal erosion, longer and warmer summers and
shorter winters. The magnitude of these changes varies from
place to place, but the trend is consistent across the Arctic.
What is happening affects virtually every facet of Inuit
life-we are a people of the land, ice, snow, and animals.
Our hunting culture thrives on the cold. We need it to be
cold to maintain our culture and way of life. Climate change
has become the ultimate threat to Inuit culture.
[The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) states that]
"For Inuit, warming is likely to disrupt or even destroy
their hunting and food sharing culture as reduced sea ice
causes the animals on which they depend to decline, become
less accessible, and possibly become extinct."
Inuit are adaptable and resourceful. We have to be to survive
in the Arctic. But the ACIA foresees a time - within the
lifetime of my eight year old grandson -when environmental
change will be so great that Inuit will no longer be able
to maintain their hunting culture. Already Inuit are struggling
to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Following more than two years of preparation we have submitted
today a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights based in Washington DC. Our petition asks the commission
to come to the Arctic to find out what climate change is
doing to the environment and to Inuit. We seek a declaration
from the commission that the United States - the world's
source of more than 25% of greenhouse gases - is violating
our human rights as outlined in the 1948 American Declaration
on the Rights and Duties of Man. As we have seen in the
last few days the United States continues to refuse to work
with the community of nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Let me say clearly that this is not about money. We are
not seeking damages. What we want is the United States to
stop violating our rights. To do that the United States
needs to lead the international effort for absolute reductions
in emission of greenhouse gases. Without absolute reductions
Inuit hunting and food sharing culture will not survive.
The Arctic can help us all look beyond narrowly defined
national interests to create a global perspective. This
is what's needed if we are to combat climate change. The
"Voice from the North" can help determine the
global level of greenhouse gas reductions required to achieve
the goal of the [United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change].
The full text of this speech as well as the petition can
be found on the Inuit Circumpolar Conference web site at
www.inuitcircumpolar.com
ARCTIC YOUTH NETWORK
Editor's note: The Arctic Youth Network is a grassroots
organization that works on leadership and empowerment for
youth from around the circumpolar North. AYN released this
declaration on climate change at the Arctic Day parallel
event at COP 11. See their website: www.taiga.net/ayn
We, youth from the Circumpolar North, realize that the
world is facing a threat unlike anything ever experienced
before in human history. Here in the Arctic, where the impacts
of climate change are happening at an accelerated rate,
we feel our physical environment, our culture, and our spirituality,
are being disrupted.
Sea ice is melting, coastlines are exposed and degrading,
and species are at risk. Communities are being forced to
give up land based traditions and Traditional Knowledge
is being lost. Indigenous Peoples 'ways of being' continue
to be threatened.
Our ecosystems are disturbed; we are vulnerable.
The science surrounding our changing climate has now existed
for the same amount of time that we have been alive. Arguing
the validity of climate change science is no longer worthwhile
-- it is now time to act -- and act with conviction.
We are supporting research on impacts, mitigation and adaptation
to climate change. We are encouraging our peers and our
communities to become informed and engaged. Individually,
we are taking responsibility for our actions. By reducing
our personal greenhouse gas emissions, engaging in activities
with lower environmental impacts, and making conscious choices,
we are reflecting the world we want to live in.
We are challenging fossil fuel development such as the
proposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
in Alaska, United States, the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project
in the Northwest Territories of Canada and oil drilling
in the Lensky region of Russia's Sakha Republic.
We see the importance of taking steps now to lay a foundation
for change that will reach far into the future.
The global community has come a long way in a short time.
Thank you to the United Nations for its Framework Convention
on Climate Change. The Kyoto Protocol is a step in the right
direction. Thank you for the considerable work carried out
by the International Panel on Climate Change.
Thank you to the Arctic Council for the Arctic Climate
Impact Assessment and to Snowchange for their conference
on Northern Indigenous and Local Community observations
of Climate and Ecological Change. These provide critical
insight and raise international awareness about the situation
of the North.
However, we are concerned that the work being done is not
enough.
We are concerned that science is not being met with awareness,
and plans are not being met with action. More effort needs
to be invested by individuals, communities, and governments,
if the world is to reduce or reverse the impacts of climate
change. We are concerned that the public at large is still
unaware and uncertain of the threats of climate change.
How can people be motivated to take positive action unless
they understand the urgency of the situation?
The economy should no longer come before health and well
being.
Full cost accounting, or more socially and ecologically
based accounting mechanisms should be developed and integrated.
Long-term vision needs to be incorporated into climate change
response plans, recognizing that political and business
timelines are too short.
We would like to help you move forward with a multi-generational,
multi-disciplinary vision: working together, leaders and
youth can redesign how society operates. Together we can
lobby for holistic education and climate change curriculum
so that today's youth are not only climate change literate,
but are equipped with the tools to act.
The UN Decade of Education for Sustainability will end,
but this task must not.
We would like you to encourage public awareness, youth
involvement, and career development in the growth of closed
loop industrial systems and Natural Capitalism models. Together,
we can support growth in our communities by creating a diverse,
no waste, solutions-based business framework that employs
biomimicry.
We will learn to adapt to climate change in a way that
considers the impacts of our solutions on the seven generations
ahead of us. Our generations are linked, just as the Arctic
is linked to the rest of the world. Choices made in the
present will exponentially affect the future.
We are willing to make a difference and we challenge you
to do the same.
We call on you to help us build the economic, political,
and cultural infrastructure necessary for a sustainable
future.
We offer you our vision of a strong North and a positive
world.
If you protect the Arctic, you protect the world.
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