Coming from Western Australia, Copenhagen couldn’t possibly be any further from my natural habitat. Whilst others seem to adapt rather easily to the 4 degree temperatures, I have to rely, rather heavily on my trusty thermals. I’d like to think having to adapt and cope in a far off place would build something even remotely akin to resilience, because from what I have observed thus far, the UN experience requires it in bucket-loads.
Sitting here writing this in my hostel room overlooking the Danish capital, (it isn’t as glorious as it sounds), I completely attribute my exhaustion to the first day of COP15 – a day of contrasts.
Given the long lead-up and global attention surrounding the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, the significance of the occasion was not lost on me in the slightest. I felt an overwhelming sense of privilege in being able to witness the beginning of what I, and many others believe, is the most important global meeting since the conclusion of WWII.
The warm and fuzzy optimism and hope expressed by the Danish hosts was severely contrasted with the cold reality of irrefutable climate change science – nevertheless, both approaches called for global leaders to action and to achieve what increasingly seems to be the impossible.
Anyway, as many of you would know, far too often, the lofty heights of optimism are only truly recognised following the crash back to reality. As an Indigenous delegate I have an inherent interest as to how global leaders consider the rights of Indigenous people in formulating their collective approach to combating climate change.
Unfortunately, already it seems as though the developed nations are reluctant to adhere to the UN Declaration on Rights for Indigenous Peoples and entrench human rights within climate change policy – including Denmark, the host country which had, from the very outset, given me much optimism and hope. It seems the Indigenous voice, even at the UN struggles to be heard by the world’s most powerful nations.
It is however only day one and policy decisions are made in the most obscure of places, and unlike many other political situations, I actually feel as though I am able to effect change through my own actions. From what I can gather, its all about being in the right place at the right time. However, until I find myself in that right place and at that right time, perseverance and resilience is required – in bucket-loads.
Braden Hill is from WA, and one of two indigenous Australians in the AY’s delegation. He’ll be blogging every couple of days on his perspectives from COP15.
