The last time I posted a “Footprint Friday” message, it was in the midst of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The conference ended on December 19, 2009 with a disappointing outcome. Here are excerpts from some of the organizations involved in the worldwide movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis.
350.org team expressed in an email I received on December 19th, “…it would be useless to pretend we’re happy with the outcome of the Copenhagen climate talks. You’ll likely hear the Copenhagen drama spun in a thousand different ways, but here’s our honest take on the outcome: our leaders have been a disappointment, and the talks have ended without any kind of fair, ambitious, or legally binding global agreement. It’s unclear whether the weak “accord” which emerged early this morning will provide a platform strong enough to deliver the kind of action we’ll need in 2010 and beyond. That doesn’t mean you have failed. On the contrary, the movement you have built around the world allowed everyone to understand the scientific issues at stake.”
Tcktcktck.com also sent an email in which they state, “…our world leaders failed us. But millions of people around the world have woken to the climate crisis, know that the science is clear and have come together to create a civil society movement the likes of which the world has never seen.”
Kim Carstensen, Leader of WWF’s Global Climate Initiative states in part on WWF’s international website, “What we have after two years of negotiation is a half-baked text of unclear substance. With the possible exceptions of US legislation and the beginnings of financial flows, none of the political obstacles to effective climate action have been solved.”
Hopenhagen.org’s email message included the following: “Hopenhagen brought a different message to the proceedings. From the minute negotiators arrived in the city, Hopenhagen was impossible to ignore. Hopenhagen and our voice of hope set the tone and the ambition for the conference. It was a constant reminder that you, millions and millions of you, had a vision for your leaders: choose hope and deliver us a better future. It will take time to understand the full implications of COP15. An accord was hashed out in the final hours. But it’s very clearly the beginning, not the end.
There is also the untold story of COP15: leaders at the sub-national, regional and city levels who pledged to lead regardless of the global situation. Corporations urging strong action. The inspiring people we have been working with on the ground. And of course the millions and millions of passionate people from all over the world who have shown they are ready to work together to create a better world. As many of you said on our Facebook page today, change is up to all of us.
So let’s do it. Together, let’s continue to spread the message of hope. Let’s each begin to create the future we want, in our own lives. That’s how we’ll inspire our friends, neighbors, colleagues and families to join us, until Hopenhagen really is 6.8 billion people strong. Our Hopenhagen Ambassador writes brilliantly about this in his final blog post here.”
Even though world leaders did not reach the agreements many world organizations hoped for, this is not the time to throw up our hands and say there’s simply nothing for us as individuals to do. There’s plenty! And it starts in our homes and in our communities. So, starting from today, in this new year and this new decade with new hope, begin from wherever you are in your intention to live more green. And take into your hearts and minds the knowledge that as consumers, we have enormous clout! As you learn more through my blog and other resources and as you search for replacements of the products and foods you consume, demand that your local stores supply more sustainable items. The best way to send a message to the corporate world is via the cash register.
It is collective action that moves markets and moves leaders. In order to make the changes we need at corporate and political levels, demand has to come from the grassroots. There are so many ways to start sending the message that we demand change in order to ensure the health of our families and our planet–they go hand in hand. The next time you need to replace a lightbulb, buy a CFL. Share a ride to work a few times a week, carpool with other moms or use public transportation for that next field trip–what a great adventure and lesson for our children! Walk to your local farmers’ market or use a local delivery service of local fruits and vegetables instead of going to the supermarket to buy your produce. The next time you have to replace an appliance or piece of equipment, investigate greener, cleaner, and more environmentally-friendly options.
Most importantly, remember that every step, no matter how small, takes us further along the path to a greener life. And every person, no matter where they start from, adds to the collective movement creating a more sustainable world for us all to live in.
Travel with me through 2010 towards a more bellisima green life. Knowledge is power and every informed choice we’re able to make is empowering!
DID YOU KNOW…Changing one standard lightbulb to a CFL may not be a big enough action to save our planet, BUT if every U.S. household did so, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the road for one year!
FOR TODAY… I renew my commitment to living a greener lifestyle in 2010. I pledge to begin from where I am to make more changes for the year and the decade ahead.
