Let’s Stand Together

It is only Day Three at COP and things are already heating up. Today was the CYDers first action, focused on the Tar Sands and Canada’s lack of leadership internationally. Also today, delegations from Tuvalu made a big stir by calling out for a legally binding treaty, and suspending COP action for two hours. Right after that, delegates from Vanuatu expressed their frusteration by calling for a brand new negotiation process which would start the negotiations over.

The CYD is doing our best to keep the pressure on our government, but we need your help to keep the pressure on the Canadian government and the governments of the world. This is our future that is at stake in those plenary sessions.
So what can you do? Well Canada is just FIVE actions away from having the more actions then any other country for the International Day of Action. So we ask you to join the millions of people who are participating in a globalcandlelight vigil for a real deal at Copenhagen. Click hereto find two excellent Copenhagen themed Christmas carolscollaboratively written by the Canadian youth climate movement that would go perfectly with these actions. Click here to find a list of vigil locations and/or sign one up for your community.
If any of these links do not work you can find all the info at: www.5-for-5.com.

News From Copenhagen

Stop Tarring our image - by Jasmeet Sindhu

Just after 3pm today, the Canadian youth unfurled a banner to a sea of international media and conference delegates, declaring the Canadian government to “stop tarring our image”.  
The action was linked to a new report released today by Equiterre, Environmental Defence, Forest Ethics and Climate Action Network that describes the relation between Canada’s negotiating position and the tar sands.

Somethings Happening Here…
-Devon Willis
Something happened today. Actually, it has been happening for a very long time. For so long, the developed world has told the developing world what to do, and how to do it. From the SAPs of the 1980s, to the recent explosion in imposing democracy in the Middle East, we often try to instill institutions and policies that are deleterious to the lives, the economies and the communities of people in the global south because we see them as advantageous to our own lives. Read More…

Artic Representation at WWF Tent - by Ashley Tufts

The Arctic is the largest and least fragmented of the inhabited regions on Earth: a vast area of fjords and tundra, jagged peaks and frozen seas, glaciers and icebergs, and ice and snow (WWF). A change in our current climatic regime not only has a profound impact on the Arctic environment, but also on Arctic communities, cultures, and ways of life. Located in Nytrov square, Copenhagen, the WWF Arctic tent provides an opportunity to draw attention to the detrimental effects of climate change in the Arctic. Read More
Role Reveral: A meeting with the EPA - by Rhiya Trivedi
Today I had the unbelievable privilege of meeting with EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. I had about 15 seconds to prep, but it was enough time to realize that there was really only one thing I could ask her:

Will the US step up and take leadership of the Umbrella Group (a coalition of non-EU developed parties) and call out those parties who are lowering ambition and obstructing progress, specifically Canada? Read More…