As I write this post from Paris on the first day of COP21, there are a few questions I’ve been getting on repeat, so I thought I’d set the record straight.
Between Terrorism and now Tear-gas, many people have asked me why I came to Paris?
My response? How could I not.
I couldn’t not be in Paris for COP21.
Following the cancellation of the Paris Climate March amid security fears, the climate community did what they've long been asking the international community to do: adapt to a changing environment. What would have been tens of thousands of feet marching on the streets of Paris transformed into 10,000 empty shoes at Place de la République, as well as a creative action, known as the Human Chain.
The AYLI delegation arrives at Le Bourget, the COP21 venue.
It’s the final day here at the Conference of Youth (COY), actions are being planned, policy being written, connections continuing to be made and everyone is eager in anticipation of COP kicking off on Monday. The AYLI delegation have been at COY since Thursday immersing ourselves in the world of youth climate activism.
It's 10:00pm here in Paris. I have spent the day at COY11, and I will be heading to COP21 next week. Right now the Pacific is marching at home in Fiji.
COY10 & COP20 proved to be a very lonely time for the singular Pacific youth in attendance last year, me. However something must be in the water in Paris. COY11 has proved a magnet for Pacific youth who have descended on Paris in droves.
This blog first appeared on dontgoagainsttheflo.
In Paris the recent attacks are on the forefront of everyone’s minds, the default topic of conversation, source of many jokes, and practically the sole news item. I arrived on Saturday, a week after the attacks. A group of 10 young people sat in the small Parisian apartment, around a table with beers. This was a scene that could have been from anywhere in the world. Except everyone knew someone who had lost a friend or family member in the attacks.
If there's one thing I've noticed, it's that Kiwi delegates from AYLI at COP and the ADP seem to punch well above their weight when it comes to getting involved. Yeah, we're pretty awesome.
