See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezyzLvqu55M

It was a real honour for me to be able to deliver it with Whit and Karmilla. Its going to be a lifelong memory for sure. Lets spread the message was far and wide.

Youth Statement to the High-Level Plenary

My fellow human beings,

I am White Jones from the United States of America. I am Karmila Parakkasi from Indonesia. And I am Anna Keenan from Australia. We speak today as part of the global youth climate movement. Half the world's population is under 30, and will live with the decisions you make today.

Just last week, a young woman from Kiribati told us about her plight. Her island is only 2 meters above sea level, and as the land gets washed away, so does her people's livelihood and culture. I was filled with a deep sense of urgency, solidarity and perhaps most importantly, responsibility
to speak and act. Her story moved me to tears and should move you to action.

How many stories do we need to hear before we wake up and take action? We have one climate, one future, and this is our last chance.

The science is clear. We call on you to acknowledge that climate change is not bounded by economics and politics, but by science. You can't negotiate with the laws of physics and chemistry.

The targets currently being discussed are not even close to protecting our future. Our best science shows clearly that 450 ppm of CO2-equivalent gives us a 50% chance of avoiding catastrophic and irreversible feedbacks in the climate.

I have a coin here. The flip of this coin represents gambling with our future. A 50/50 chance. *Flips coin* What's it going to be?

Our future is at stake. As climate change accelerates, and your decisions unfold, we will look back at this moment, this conference. History will judge whether you did enough to give us a planet worth living in.

The time for excuses is over. We need you to acknowledge that solving climate change will require a just transition to eliminate fossil fuels within our lifetimes.

Developed countries must mitigate now and assist those without the same financial resources. Deforestation must be addressed with strong consideration for local and indigenous communities.

The climate emergency is our best and possibly last opportunity to create a global consciousness. We are inspired by those of you taking true leadership, both at home and internationally. We are ashamed of the so-called 'leaders' who are delaying action in this UN process and who are actively compromising our future.

We cannot wait any longer. If you lead us on the wrong path, we have no time to find our way back and undo your decisions. The potential effects will be devastating and indiscriminant.

Youth around the world are rising to the challenge. As emerging leaders, we are mobilizing the public, building powerful movements, and forging international coalitions.

But all this won't be enough without strong action from you. We have put our trust in you. We need a Bali Breakthrough -- now.

As you make these decisions, take a moment to reflect on why you are here. Are you here as only a delegate? Or are you also here as a mom or dad, an aunt or uncle, a brother or sister? Are you here for us, your children?

This is not a political choice – rather, a moral imperative, and a requirement for human life. We are already inheriting the consequences of your choices. The world is watching, the youth are rising. Join us.

===

Last week, Bambou Chieppa, a young student visited the COP, and upon her return to school she wrote a poem. She would like to share it with you now.

"It's haunting me
A crowd of he's and she's
I'm not a hero
I'm not even a big show
Every time I look cameras
are flashing me in the eye.

It would surprise them if they knew
I was only a little girl who is scared
the world will die"

What a couple of weeks. The experience at the conference was truly phenomenal. With the outcomes that have been achieved at this conference, my hope that we will actually solve this crisis has once again been strengthened.

One year ago, who would have thought that Australia would ratify Kyoto and be such a key player in these international negotiations. While our new government's position wasn't always clear during the conference, it solidified during the important final moments. We've seen a rapid evolution in our domestic policy over the last three weeks, and very significantly, a dramatic change in our new opposition's stance on the issue as well.

The Bali Mandate that was the outcome of the conference explicitly recognises the science, referring directly to the IPCC report and it's finding that developed countries must reduce emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels, collectively, by 2020 if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change. On Saturday we saw the United States 'join the consensus' after Papua New Guinea told them that 'In PNG we have a saying... If you aren't a leader, get out of the way. We are asking the United States to either lead, or get out of the way'. AWESOME!

Being in the room as these statements and debates progressed was electrifying. The room had about 1000 negotiators from 200 countries sitting at their desks, each country making statements in turn. Around the edges of the room were another 2-300 people from non-government organisations, including 50 young people from around the world, including a large Canadian group that pointedly stood and crossed their arms in front of Canada's desk! When the rounds of applause went up each time a country shifted to a more progressive stance, you knew that the cheering was not only for the political promises and diplomatic achievements, but filled with real hope for the future. Heart in my throat, butterflies in my stomach, all that jazz. While the agreement in Bali won't solve global warming, it does put us well on track. It's a big step in the right direction.

I predict that in the next two years (that is, by 2009 when this round of climate negotiations will conclude), public sentiment will move even further than it has in the last two. By the time we get there, we will have a new, climate-friendly government in power in the US, and maybe even Canada and Japan. By that stage, if we work hard enough, the world will accept the need to phase out fossil fuels, and will have drawn up a plan to achieve that outcome.

The next two years are crucial. They are crucial for the UN process, for Australia, for society, and for each of us. We have to remember that the battle is not over - we have to apply as much pressure as we can. We must put all of our ideas in the mix and convince governments of the need to take up those ideas. The next two years are crucial, and each person must play as large a role as possible if we are to achieve the change that we need.

Every individual counts. This is not a change that happened because someone at the top decided that things needed to change. It was very clearly driven from the bottom up - it started with educating people about the problem, connecting it to their life and future, then showing them the solutions and how good their futures could be. Once those ideas were established, it was about mobilising those who knew to apply pressure in every way possible. That pressure must continue.

THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO:
- Get in touch with your newly elected or re-elected politician to let them know how urgent the climate emergency is. Send a letter, make a call, wait for a response, send another letter, and ask for a meeting. Meet your politician and tell them your ideas.
- Get involved with AYCC or another climate action group, or start your own.
- Teach your family and friends.
- Live a low-carbon life.

As many of you may have heard we launched our "Keep the Pacific on the Map" project today with an event involving people from the Pacific - (Kiribati and the Torres Strait mainly).

We have organised the event today so we could show publicly our support for the Pacific Islander people. This week we were moved as we heard the plea of the Pacific Islanders here at the UN conference in Bali - even more so outside the official negotiation process. As a result we felt compelled to start or further engage the youth of Australia with climate justice and issues surrounding the human impact that climate change is already having.

Too many people are complacent on the issue of climate change due to the belief that it will only have implications in years to come - Climate change is real and it is devastating communities now.

This initial project kicked off in Bali was designed to be a show of solidarity and support for the people in the Pacific Islands who are often confronted with the worst impacts yet get the least recognition and support.

Messages of support have been collected over the past 3 days from youth around Australia - we hope that this project has not only begun to raised awareness amongst youth but more importantly shown that the youth of Australia will do all they can to keep the Pacific Islands on the map. The Australian Youth Climate Coalition has firmly set in our minds a desire to support and create partnerships with people in the Pacific Islands so that we can actually provide meaningful help to the people of the Pacific.

We're calling for the political leaders at this conference to take the strong actions required to keep the Pacific Islands on the map - and that means setting a strong global target for reducing greenhouse gases to be included in the Bali Mandate - 25-40% for developed countries. Adequate adaptation funding is also a crucial part of any global climate agreement.

Climate change has already gone too far for the people of the pacific. We need our leaders to take strong action now, and we call upon Kevin Rudd to throw his support behind the 25-40% range for emissions cuts in developed countries. To use some popular yet in this setting quite true and fitting - the Pacific Islands needs a fair go. It would not only be unjust but immoral for Australia not to do everything in its power to provide this fair go. The pacific needs Australia's support.

The event involved traditional dancers from the Pacific Islanders as well as personal reflections on the impacts that climate change is already having on their communities. Videos and Photos will be up on this site shortly!

To expand a little further - one of the Pacific Islander speakers, Jennifer, talked about how within 10 or 20 years her children and grandchildren will literally have to go out in a boat to mark where their family is buried and where their sacred sites lay.

To end on a positive note - we last night chatted to Kevin Rudd about the AYCC and the Pacific Islands and hopefully opened some doors - and even more - at 9am tomorrow we are meeting the Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong and Environment - Peter Garrett.

It's crunch time for the negotiations that are drawing a map for our future - I hope they have their glasses on!

We are three quarters through and like staring too close at the brush strokes of a painting, is just to blurry to make any sense of it just yet. Yet there have been some amazing bits and pieces which I can hopefully capture!

This week some of us have had a couple of encounters with the Minister for the Environment, both of which were generally …disheartening? On Monday we had a round-table between the Environmental NGO's and the Minister. We told Garrett MP that the Labor party has yet to commit to serious and immediate action on lowering GHG emissions (as the Indonesian President SBY stated at the High Level Ceremony 'the Kyoto Protocol is a quick start but not enough'). Garrett returned the question framed in a comparison that is all too familiar; we are doing and will do far better then the opposition party.

This comparison should no longer resonate after the election and has no place in the face of the consequences that hang in the balance here in Bali .

I just watched the IPCC Synthesis at the High Level Opening Ceremony and it sent an actual chill sliver through my back noticing the lowest scenario predicted was a 2- 2.4 degrees Celsius rise which would create 0.4 -1.4 meter sea rise. That is the lowest parameter! This is putting us on a course that could slip into what my friend, Adrian Whitehead would call death-melt! Pacific Island States, just 2 metres above sea level will be all but gone with the loss of most land mass and fresh water reserves (due to the increased salinity.) Many of these countries already live at subsistence levels let alone with the climate change consequences. This gets us to the second encounter with Garrett.

The Minister also attended a side event yesterday on the Millennium Development Goals and Climate Change. A Bangladeshi scientist with the IPCC talked about the existing poverty faced by most of these nations on the front line and the further hindrance that the climate crisis poses. The way to overcome poverty, he stated is to provide choice, but the choice between dying from poverty and dying from the consequences of dangerous climate change is no choice at all. On the same note the 'benefits' between the policies of the opposition party (that our economy will be hurt by any strong action) and at the current government (token commitment by Garrett of 150 Million to climate change adaptation) is no choice at all. There is a baseline, there is an absolute need and constantly framing the argument in comparative politics is at the very least drowning the future of our Pacific neighbours.

We need strong action that reflects the science not the politics. The laws of physics and chemistry do not negotiate; the needs of our neighbours can not wait.

- Richie Merzian, Chair of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition

I'm sitting as i write this blog, in the opening high level plenary session on Wednesday 12th December at the UNFCCC in Bali . I just introduced myself to our Australian Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong, the Environment Minister Peter Garette and finance Minister Wayne Swan. I encouraged them all to take on a leadership role here in Bali and not to just sit on the fence (which I’m afraid Australia will do.) Having ratified Kyoto was a great positive step – however unless Australia takes the lead the remaining developed countries wont follow suit, as a result the developing counties such as the G77 will also not feel the urgency of acting either. Despite this problem seeming to form here in Bali I am still humbled by the words of key leaders speeches during this opening plenary session, they are speaking from the need for action.

The time to act is now and unless we act there will be serious consequences; this is the sentiment resonating throughout the corridors in plenary sessions and within meetings taking place all around Nusa Dua for UNFCCC. Science suggests a silver lining, but only if we take these findings seriously. What Bali is looking for is a ' Bali breakthrough' - looking to the leaders to find solutions to climate change. The eyes of the world are upon us now and we recognise that everyone is part of the problem - and it is up to this conference to develop a process in which we need to create a roadmap for the solution. A recurring keystone issue here is that the impact of climate change effects us all, but the effects are not being felt equally, those who are impacted the most are those from developing nations. The UNFCCC has has an ethical obligation to protect the most vulnerable - this is why we need developed countries to support the developing countries to support those vulnerable nations

We are here to chart a new course. The issue which i have been tracking here is reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries (REDD). Finding a agreed solution on REDD is an important key agreement being discussed here in Bali . The international youth caucus believe that since deforestation contributes about 20 per cent of global emissions, policies and measures must be developed, agreed and implemented to reduce these emissions and prevent further deforestation and forest degradation. Parties now agree to investigate market and non-market options that are environmentally effective and consistent with sustainable development objectives that are also inclusive of local communities and indigenous rights i. REDD must be a key component of the Bali roadmap.

Forests is such and interesting issue to track here in Bali - because of the emphasis and pressure for action on the issue. Indonesia recognise that importance of forests at Bali . Real forest conservation is needed to protect biodiversity. And reforestation is also important. But these broader agendas may bog down the negotiations on REDD on stopp ng current forest loss. The good news is that forest degradation (which means emissions from logging and other human activity) is being included as an important part of the discussions. Data from Australia and elsewhere show 40% of the carbon stored in a forest is released when a forest is logged. In tropical countries logging is usually just the first step on the road to complete deforestation. We hope the discussion stays on the central issue of deforestation and forest degradation so it becomes part of the final post 2012 package to be negotiated by the 2009 Climate Conference.

Some of below is political jargon – but in regards to following the issues below are the key points when underpin what needs to happen through lobbying and communication – write a letter to Rudd and encourage strong leadership and funding support to enable Australia

* technology transfer in crisis: blame US, Japan , Canada , Australia for messing it up. Ask for info from developing countries. Its an essential part of the final package.
* technology is a priority. EU must work with G77 countries to build support that creating a new international framework on technology transfer with a serious process to back it up.
* problems with CP13 decisions: push retaining emissions ranges, push strong mitigation text
* set up the blame game: we see there are countries that want to move forward (G77 initially signaling flexibility on addtional measures, etc) old foes doing bad things to alienate developing countries by undermining tech. transfer, ranges, etc(US, Japan , Aus, Canada ) and therefore causing more polarization -- China reacting with IPCC etc
* President needs strong process, work with other key parties

Well, there is no doubt. I have an urge to hug the strangers sitting around me in the Conference plenary, having just heard our Prime Minister speak the words “Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation”. Kevin Rudd’s speech was not radical in some ways – he did not strongly call on the Summit to commit to specific targets. But it was a transformation of Australian government rhetoric not just on climate change, but on the need for a multilateral solution to global problems where all countries work together.

While referring to the upcoming Garnaut report he has commissioned to set national emission targets, he called for this conference to commit to a process that determines strong and binding international targets, based firmly on the science. In a stark departure from Australia’s previous slavish following of the United States, Rudd called on ALL Countries (and he repeated “All Countries”) to commit to be part of the process, and flatly rejectly unilateral forms of action in favour of a global solution.

Prior to the opening today, Tammy-Jo and I went up to the Ministers assembled at the Australian desk, including Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Victorian Premier John Brumby and Treasurer Wayne Swan to say hello, congratulate them on their election win, and mention our support for Australia to take very strong action on climate change.

This morning’s opening plenary was certainly galvanizing – speakers from the UN Secretary General to the Prime Minister of the small Island of Palau spoke passionately about the need for urgent action. As the Palau PM said in 2000, and again today, time is not running out – it has run out.

Bouyed by Rudd’s speech, I hope this is a start but know there is an incredibly long way for them to go. One thing is certain, I’m glad I was not sitting here listening to John Howard continue to deny climate change, committing our country to pariah status on the world stage. Anyway, this is an emotional high point for me.

Dear friends.

The United Nations climate change conference is now underway in Bali, Indonesia. We, the Australian youth need 60 seconds of your time to help
keep the Pacific Islands on the map. We have met with many Pacific Islanders over the week and their emotional pleas make the urgency of the situation clear. Small island nations are
already suffering the impacts of climate change, with sea level rise innundating countries like Kiritbati, which are a maximum of two metres above sea level. It is these countries that have contributed the least to climate change, yet are suffering the worst effects.
We can secure the Pacific Islands a place on the map if we look to the future now. Australia needs to make deep cuts in its emissions and to support its neighbors.

Here’s what we want you to do:
Email us a simple message of support for the Pacific Islander people to australianyouthdelegation@gmail.com or join our Facebook group ‘Keep the Pacific Islands on the map’ and leave a wall post. The Australian Youth Delegation here in Bali will be presenting these messages of support to a group of Pacific Islanders here in Bali on WEDNESDAY 12 th December.
If we get over 2000 messages we will present them to the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd; we will call for deep cuts in Australia’s emissions.

This is a great way to show your support for action on climate change and for climate justice.

Please email your letters to us NOW!

Thanks,
Australian Youth in Bali!

by AMANDA
Last Thursday night the Australia Youth Delegation joined with other youth organisations from around the world to present " Fighting for our future" - a youth-led side event featuring youth climate action from the local to the global. We were inspired by the diverse and effective ways that youth are creating social change and demanding strong and urgent action to mitigate climate change. Youth are leading the world in calling for urgent action to mitigate climate change.

Every participant was humbled by Claire from Kiribati who offered her heart felt thanks to all of us for our efforts. Her home is only 2 meters above sea level and is rapidly being inundated by the rising ocean. Already 2 islands which make up Kiribati have been submerged. Claire's island, her home, her culture and her future are all under immediate and imminent threat from climate change. It is likely that her entire nation will have to be evacuated in the near future. Where do you go when your country simply does not exist?

I felt a deep sense of shame hearing Claire's story knowing that I live in a country that has delayed and obstructed real international action on climate change for many years. Let us hope that Australia has turned over a new leaf and begins to advocate sound greenhouse policies based on science and to provide leadership internationally.

Australia, the largest developed country in the region and the highest per capita greenhouse polluter, must also offer adaptation support to its neighbours.

Claire's voice, and the voices of the Pacific, are largely absent from the UN Climate Change Conference. These nations are small in terms of their size, population, wealth and greenhouse gas emissions. That's the irony – those you have contributed the least, who have benefited the least from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, will suffer first. Kiribati will be under water before the bulk of the Australian population realize that climate change is the most serious issue on the planet.
Claire's experience also illustrates the fallacy in calling a 2 degree rise in temperature "dangerous climate change". Climate change is clearly dangerous for people like Claire now. Global temperature has risen 0.7 degrees leading to dangerous consequences for people all over the world – whether it was the European heat wave killing over 35,000 or the drought that has devastated the lives of Australian farmers. A 2 degree rise in global temperature is not where things get dangerous – 2 degrees is falling off a cliff into global climate catastrophe. It is accepted the 2 degrees is where we can expect to see irreversible changes in natural systems that support human life. However, we can't be sure that 2 degrees is where we will find the cliff edge – it may be well before. Recent research suggests that a 1.5-1.7 degree increase in global temperature is likely to cause the melting of both the West Antarctic and the Greenland ice sheets. If these enormous blocs of ice melt global sea level is expected to rise by at least 13metres.
The Pacific Islanders experience offers us a window into our potential future. 70 percent of the world's population lives on coastal plains, and 11 of the world's 15 largest cities are on the coast or estuaries.
The world could well be a very different place.
We are walking blind-folded toward the edge of a cliff. We don't know where the edge is. All we know is that with ever growing greenhouse gas emissions we are steadily walking toward it.

This Sunday, the whole world has an incredible opportunity to connect with the international youth delegation that is absolutely ROCKING the UN climate change negotiations in Bali, Indonesia.
Log on and chat with these international youth climate change activists, including one of the Australian delegation, live from Bali! Ask them your questions about the negotiations, climate change in general, youth action and strategy and hear their stories of the conference thus far. Young
activists and youth climate experts from around the world will be here to answer YOUR questions!

The Global Youth Climate Chat will be held on Dec. 9th, at 08.00 and 17.00 GMT by TakingITGlobal.
*AEST (Qld), that's 6pm Sunday 9th and 3am Monday 10th
* AEDST (NSW/VIC) that's 7pm Sunday 9th and 4am Monday 10th)

To join the chat and ask questions, check out
http://www.takingitglobal.org/connections/chat/

You need to be a TakingITGlobal member to join the chat, but it's free to register and only takes a second. Just click http://www.takingitglobal.org/members/signup.html and enjoy!

See you on Sunday!!!

With love
-The International Youth Delegation, and especially for you Aussies, the AYCC!!!!