The only money on the table, but not the only elephant in the room
Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by adoptanegotiator in Uncategorized
Ben Margolis is the Campaigns Director for the Global Campaign for Climate Action. He shared his thoughts with Adopt a Negotiator on this morning’s Chang[e] press conference outside of the UN.
Yvo de Boer with money on the table (in the elephant piggy bank) at the opening plenary
The UN climate machine has rolled into Bangkok, and an elephant sits patiently on the table in the plenary room.
Not a real elephant of course, but over the last couple of weeks, five very real elephants have walked from the North of Thailand to Bangkok visiting communities affected by climate change – even being joined by ‘President Obama’ – to learn about the impacts being felt in Thailand. They carried their message to the latest round of UN negotiations taking place this week and next in the capital.
The elephants, and their team from Greenpeace and other TckTckTck partners arrived in Bangkok a couple of days ago with stories from schools, community groups and individuals, but also with some money.
One of the key issues in the negotiations is that of ‘adaptation finance’ – the amount of money needed for countries, especially the poorer ones, to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The amount needed is calculated to be at least $150bn a year although some consider this a low estimate. Until now, the amount pledged by rich countries is pitifully low, and whilst the European Union has begun to indivate they will put some money on the table, it is still nowhere near what is necessary.
As politicians falter, the public has once again taken a lead with communities across Northern Thailand providing ‘small change for the climate’ to give a boost to the adaptation fund. The money collected was handed over in 5 elephant piggy banks this morning to Yvo de Boer – the man in charge of the UN climate change negotiations – by 5 Thai children representing the 1.3 million people who have already called for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty as part of the TckTckTck campaign. They also represented the millions of young people whose futures are at risk if a good outcome is not achieved in Copenhagen in December.
Mr. de Boer was clearly moved by the presentation and immediately suggested that one of the elephants could be placed on the table in the plenary room to remind delegates of their responsibilities to the people of the world. He was good to his word, and the elephant duly appeared with him at the opening session – sadly, however, this is currently the only money on the table (excuse the pun).
The next two weeks will be crucial in the context of securing a good outcome in Copenhagen. The negotiators here have received a strong message from the highest political level that they are expected to do what is necessary to get a good deal – but we need millions of voices to reinforce and amplify this message.
Ben Margolis
Global Campaign for Climate Action
Campaigns Director