And so it nearly begins...

Nick and myself registered for COP17 today and boy oh boy are we in for a treat. There are two massive exhibition halls- the AFRICA section where all the African countries have their stalls I assume is amazing. They have split the section into the different ecosystems found in Africa. For example, there is a Rainforest area, Desert area (i think) and other ecosystems- will check properly tomorrow when we are actually allowed in.

Today at COY was great. Hearing Kumi Naidoo speak was wonderful- he is the executive director of GreenPeace international so it was amazing hearing such an inspirational man speak. The video who Bill McKibben (founder of 350.org) recorded for us was great. What an amazing man- he has spent more days in jail this year then in his own bed because he has been campaigning for environmental issues. Go Bill- you are my hero. I also went to a wonderful, informative workshop on the Green Climate Fund which am so glad I did. I feel like I knew of the Green Climate Fund but it was great hearing all the details about it and hearing people talk about it who have been studying it since inception. I very long story short- the Green Climate Fund was started to raise funding ($100 billion) which will be used in adaptation and mitigation measures for developing countries. It is one attempt at climate justice but unfort it is still in draft form because at the last Tranfer Committee meeting in October the USA and Saudi Arabia would not sign off on the report and it therefore won't be finalized this COP, as was hoped :( Dam! is a pity considering the other 38 countries agreed on the report and because of 2 countries yet another attempt to combat climate change and empower vulnerable countries won't happen :(

COY is over but there is so much to come. Between COP and the civil proceedings (C17) I think the next 2 weeks are going to be JAM PACKED. Well done to all the COY people who partied til 3am and still made it today...very impressive!

Starting with the youth

Day 2 of Coy 7 was one that was proudly African. It started with learning about various youth initiatives around the world that have resulted in successes. This informative session was followed by lessons around the diversity of the coy 7 delegates and how we all have the opportunity to make a substantial difference in the climate change movement.

But the day was truly highlighted by the climate change caravan and the story of their great trek towards Durban, South Africa from Nairobi Kenya for cop 17. Their heartening stories informed and educated us. Day 2 also say the 1st meeting of what will hopefully develop into a South African youth coalition. This working group involved many different sections of the south African youth. From official university organisations to individuals who joined simply knowing thex want to make a difference. These inspiring individuals showed US what difference an individual can make. The working group was established in the hopes of not only forming a South African youth coalition, it also had the view of developing homegrown stratergies and initiatives that could help raise awareness and spead the word of climate change in SA.