words from Shruti Neelakantan

Cop 17- the most awaited Climate Conference of the year is now coming to an end in Durban, South Africa. With two days going “tck tck tck” fruitful results are much awaited. Walking into the conference two days back was overwhelming with nearly 16,000 people flocking all around Durban with their own agenda fighting for a common cause. This Conference has managed to bring together Diplomats, Negotiators, Parties, Youth and most importantly the Government(s) together.

Walking into the Durban airport just assures you and lifts up your spirit almost automatically just realizing the efforts the government here has put together to make this event successful making them perfect hosts. Right from the huge banners to the shuttles that move around constantly easily makes guests from other countries feel safe and secure.

Attending COP for the first time can be rather intimidating but Climate champions from different parts of the world making them the extended family who were willing without a moment’s hesitation to help and guide me to get on my feet and make the best of the three days. Special Thanks to Sophie and Cathy here from the British Council team who have ensured we have everything we need.

Arriving during the second week of COP has its own ups and down. While I missed the numerous discussions and meetings I made it just in time to attend the launch of Momentum for Change provided me the opportunity to carefully listen and gain perspective from the plenary chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, President of South Africa and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres marking the initiative of the United Nations system. This conference as a whole is a great platform to meet leaders and negotiators from all over the world sometimes playing a huge role in the decisions you make.

While many sit back and start to think of this conference as a waste of time and an over hyped conference, one might want to come take a look at the magnitude of this event and the support of the youth that travels around like wildfire keeping the momentum at a progressive pace. Yes, there are many setbacks- but out of this imperfection there lies a level of agreement with thousands of youth wanting their voices heard. Being part of an event of such a huge scale only makes you want to go back to your own country and provide them with the vision and knowledge gathered here.

What is most important is what we communicate to them. We might want to  allow our personal views to take a back seat without a doubt. You don’t believe in Climate Change? COP 17? Kyoto Protocol? Legally binding treaties?  Government? Power of Youth? Strategies? Solutions?

This is not what essentially the youth across the world believe in, because I am confident that as I write this blog and as you are reading it there are others around the world seeding a project or planning one perhaps changing your mind to initiate one!