World Conference on Climate Change in Poland

Footprint Friends will be attending the Poznan Climate Change conference, which will take place on 1 – 12 December. 

The conference is the most prestigious forum of political discussion in the scope of climate protection, attracting the attention of the entire world. The issues of climate change are some of the most important subjects of international discussion in the world.

There will be a lot of talk - BUT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

We will take as many of your views with us as we can, so get your thinking caps on - you never know, your comment, phrase or question could become a defining feature of the conference.

Happy posting...

I want to know...

"what energy fuel will we be using to transport goods and people in 10 years from now?"

What about the fact that under-ice flooding speeds up Glacier movement... 

Latest research now pins down the link between the water flowing under the ice and the movement of the ice.

The flood water acts as a lubricant, easing the ice over the bedrock. The observation is described as critical because of how it informs our understanding of future sea levels.

See BBC report http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7733509.stm

As more of the science questionmarks are answered, I will want to know what the action will be - the world can not hide behind 'until proven' any more - this is not a political debate or a court of law where clever words can create winners and losers - if we fail to act - we will all be losers.

I would ask

 Even though the world wants to move foward with technology couldn't we put that on hold and focus that money on the world eg providing every house with solar panells

I have a few points which I believe are quite important regarding climate change and how countries' economic interests often conflict with their environmental ones.

The European Commission estimates that the Eurozone is now in recession and the OECD warns Britain will suffer a severe recession next year. As economies reduce in size, how are governments and businesses planning to ensure that they still have the money to invest in sustainable technologies?

Also, we are fortunate that climate change is now one of the public's primary concerns, but as the economic outlook worsens and unemployment rises, is it not probable their interest in the state of their economy will become greater than their interest in the environment?

Perhaps the state of the economy is a great way in which the world can become more sustainable. People surely do not want to have to pay large energy bills; can money not be invested by governments to encourage greater amounts of energy generation in a domestic setting (by subsidising small wind turbines etc.)? Governments probably also want to reduce their reliance on foreign fuel and this is a great time this can be encouraged, whether through clean coal, nuclear power or sustainable sources of energy.

Please say Dzien dobry to the Poles in Poznan for me!

 I agree =]

 As a Global Teen Leader I am involved with other GTL's in 30 countries and 5 continents.

I am trying to get climate change onto the school curriculum around the world. Not only can this have life changing effects on young people but they can have great influence on their families and improving the environment.

My question would be:

Can all the nations present reach a consensus to have climate change on their school national curriculums. The cost would be insignificant to the large reduction of the worlds carbon footprint.

David

I would like to ask why more air travel and the expansion of airports can be considered when we are all trying to reduce carbon emmissions?

And have a good trip Swampy.

 We want to know how many people flew to Poland? How many could have got there any other way?

Hi Larch,

Hmm that's a great question. I have to admit that for time constraints and wanting to make the most of my available time at the talks I flew BUT I do not fly very often as we holiday in the UK .  I suspect that many people will have flown for similar reasons - however I did hear that the Australian Youth Delegation took 5 weeks to travel mainly over land with 1 short flight. That's a long time and as they put it Australia is far, FAR away from Poland. They met with young people on their travels gaining momentum to the involvement of young people in the Climate Change negotiations. The UK Youth Climate Coalition also travelled without flying.

One thing that our party have talked about is the sustainability of the conference it's self. ie the food the water bottles and the waste generated through vast volumes of paper. BSI have developed a new standard on sustainability for this type of event - I shall pass this on for consideration at Copenhagen.

 Hi here are some questions from people at my school.

Questions about climate change

1.         Why don’t we ever hear about the effect of water vapour? I learnt from a talk at Climate Conference in Lyndhurst, that this is a really important greenhouse gas? How many effect does it have?

2.         What do I say to the man who keeps writing to the local paper saying there’s no such thing as climate change?

3.         Why don’t some people bother? Are they just selfish?

4.         Is there anywhere that I can find a list of answers to the difficult questions that people like this ask?

5.         Is there some way we could make lots of people in England all switch off everything at once?

6.         Why don’t people believe scientists about climate change?

7.         Why don’t politicians LEAD on climate change?

8.         Is the government scared to take on people who drive thirsty cars?

9.         How do we convince people that little actions do help? My school took part in a competition for to make a page in a book (and got some pages in). It was ‘small action X lots of people =big change’.

10.     My friend has been abroad by air eight times this year. This includes going to the states four times and South Africa once. She says that she uses her bike to get about everywhere so her flights don’t matter. I can’t convince her. Can you?

11.     Why don’t politicians talk to children? If we saw they were serious about climate change and young people, people might take the idea of climate change more seriously.

12.     Are biofuels the answer?

13.     My school made a film at climate conference.There were lots of other schools too. It was really good. We sent it to Edward Miliband who’s in charge of energy and climate change. Why hasn’t he even replied to us? We’re very sad about this.

14.     Does David Cameron really care about global warming or is he a lot of hot air?

15.     Australia seems bad. They drive big cars and a re proud of it. They have barbies and patio heaters. What’s their government doing about climate change?

16.     Do you think global warming could make humans extinct?

17.     Should the UK government be encouraging more air travel by expanding Heathrow?

18.     Did you all fly to Poznan?

19.     Is it right that people who think they are important, like Prince Charles, fly everywhere?

20.     Will Barack Obama sign the Kyoto agreement?

21.     Are people that don’t do anything about climate change selfish?

22.     I want Gordon Brown to lead the world on climate change. Why doesn’t he bother?

23.     Did Tony Blair have more understanding of climate change than Gordon Brown?

24.     Do you think people making pledges make a difference?

25.     What do you think of the transition town movement in UK?

26.     What will shake the world up to climate change?

27.     At our schools climate conference, lots of pupils said climate change should be taught in schools. Do you agree?

28.     As he leaves office, what would you like to say to President Bush about the way he’s treated climate change

29.     Is there a way we can catch the CO2 from burning fuels?

30.     Are you too posh to drive a small car? How do you stop people linking status with having a big car.

Wow,

Great questions, I think the biggest common thread to your concerns is the apparent lack of urgency and leadership from our political representatives.  I have been very lucky to be an observer at the UN Climate talks at Poznan and have attended lots of conferences.

The science is conclusive and everyone is in agreement that we have some major climate related challenges ahead and of course lots of countries are already trying to adapt to the changes in climate that are affecting their every day lives. There are also great strides being made in alternative energies. So where there is danger there is hope and solutions.

The key is how fast the world moves, how fast barriers to change are removed and how quickly new technologies are implemented.

This is where children come in, the voice of young people is of critical importance because you are not thrown by political agenda's and children generally share an unconditional and natural love & appreciation of our world. However children are not invited to express their views on matters of national policy - even thought the decisions being made about the climate will affect you more than those who are making the decisions. Footprint Friends with 'Children in a Changing Climate' wil be working hard to get the voice of children heard in the run up to the next UN negotiations in Copenhagen. To be heard children must get involved and becoming a Footprint Friends VIP member is an excellent place to start - so get your whole school involved! Tell everyone - every voice counts.

We have also sent a chasing email to Ed Milliband.

BRILLIANT questions

re 13, I have contacted Mr Miliband again and will keep on his heals for a response...

re 5, London participated in earth hour but the uk can not handle having all its electricity turned off

re 3, Either selfish/ uneducated/ in denial

It would be great to hear feedback from everyone on these questions.

Thanks, these questions were made up as a team effort so I can't take all of the credit for them. Although a couple of them are mine. The eco group at my school take recycling seriously, not as a joke.

The EU, French President and Downing Street appear to also realise that this downturn can benefit the environment.

'Gordon Brown has said more investment is needed in technology and environmentally friendly industries in an effort to tackle the downturn.'

'The aim was "to build the technological and environmental infrastructure of the 21st century as we invest out of the downturn", Mr Brown said.'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7770701.stm