The first week of COP is finally over. The next is about to begin.
It has been an intense first week for all of us. On Thursday, we had our first meeting with the Australian government delegation. It was a really productive meeting that allowed us to understand the government’s operations, objectives and priorities on the ground. However, our hearts are heavy and greatly burdened by the lack of leadership Australia is showing in the international negotiations and the disappointing, speculative target of 5-15% by 2020 (according to some Australian press).
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has positioned himself as the leader of the Asia Pacific Region, yet the so-called “new leadership” he displays greatly contrasts with the government’s hopeless targets and the leadership we are showing at the negotiations. In his speech at Bali last year, he acknowledges that “Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation”. Yet this target will solve nothing and is nowhere near from saving us to the climate catastrophe we are heading into.
I am completely in shock by the failure of our government to ensure a safe and equitable future they have promised to deliver at Bali last year. We all know what the solutions are and what we are capable to achieve. The decisions they will make in the coming few days will determine the future of our generation and we will be the ones who will live up to their consequences.
There is only one climate for our future.
It has been one year since Bali. Australia, where is the leadership you promised?
Bev, 18 yrs from Sydney.
