Our delegation was a part of the U.S. People’s Delegation at COP23. Watch how people from across the country represented U.S. leadership and highlighted the just and equitable solutions we need.
https://www.facebook.com/350.org/videos/10156027455932708
Today marks the last day of COP23. We have followed the last two weeks of climate actions, panels, presentations, high-level negotiations, and more, through the eyes of our delegates and in their last reflections feel the uncertainty of the outcomes in the year ahead. What is clear, is that that there is work left to do as nations prepare for the Talanoa Dialogue at COP24 in Poland.
The United State’s place in those dialogues remains unclear. While the U.S. can’t officially leave the Paris Agreement until 2020, the Trump administration’s representative, Judith G. Garber, stated they “remain open to the possibility of rejoining at a later date under terms more favorable to the American people.” Yet, those terms have not been communicated and it’s unclear as to who the true decision makers are at the White House and what the strategies will be for Paris Agreement goals and targets.
Despite the severe lack of federal leadership from the U.S., the U.S. People’s Delegation became the strong voice of America’s perspectives on climate change and made our commitment from cities, states, and businesses known. The 195 other countries working together to analyze, negotiate, and implement best practices of the Paris Agreement made progress during the negotiations.
Here is a sample of small steps taken to contribute to the larger movement toward a more equitable and clean energy future:
- The first-ever Gender Action Plan was created to increase the participation of women in all UNFCCC processes.
- Italy and the UN for Climate Change have agreed to launch a five-year Fellowship Program specifically aimed at increasing sustainable development, young leadership, and creative solutions to climate change in these regions.
- The World Health Organization launched a special initiative to address climate change impacts on health in small island states.
- The InsuResilience Initiative gained more international partners and additional funding with the aim of providing access to insurance for 400 million people most-vulnerable to climate change by 2020.
Don’t miss our panel of Minnesota COP23 delegates offering their reflections on the negotiations on November 27th, 12 to 1 p.m. Discover what it was like to participate in action events, negotiations, and meet climate activists from around the world. Attend in person at the Institute on the Environment or tune in virtually through a live webcast.
We would like to thank our delegates for their hard work and commitment these past weeks. We know the level and intensity of these negotiations can be exhausting. We would also like to thank you for tuning in each day. Please stay in touch with our work and sign up for our e-news at climategen.org. If you appreciate this programming, please consider a donation at climategen.org/donate.
The Climate Generation Team
Climate Generation Delegation Blogs
Aurora “Gizhigookwe-Sky Woman” Conley
John Olson
You can also check out student blogs from youth delegates representing the School of Environmental Studies students at COP23.
Save the Date
Don’t miss our post-COP23 panel on November 27th, 12 to 1 p.m. CST, featuring representation from Governor Dayton’s office and our Minnesota delegates as they reflect on the Bonn Climate Talks. Attend in person or tune in digitally through our live webcast.
Past Webcasts
November 8: Watch Espoir, Ian, and Cheryl discuss the first few days in Bonn and how it feels to be an American at the conference.
November 9: Watch Ellen Anderson and Leigh Currie discuss American presence at COP23 and what they plan to do once they return to Minnesota.
November 14: Watch the CLEAN (Climate Literacy) Network webinar featuring education professional, John Olson and Adri, a junior high school student.
November 15: Watch Minority Leader Melissa Hortman’s webinar on the presence of local U.S. government and leadership in Bonn.
November 16: Watch Aurora’s webinar as she discusses the role of Indigenous leaders and her climate action experience in Bonn.
Follow Us
Check out our Twitter and Instagram for even more footage from our COP23 delegation. Follow @ClimateGenOrg and hashtags #MNCOP23, #USPeoplesDelegation, and #ActOnClimate
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