No language for tragedy

Posted on 08. Dec, 2010 by joannadafoe in Canada

The high level segment of the meetings started today and I am struck by the change in tone and energy of the meetings. The opening session involved speeches from the UN Secretary General, the President of Mexico, and leaders of small island states. All of a sudden, the language in the Moon Palace changed.

After so many days of frustration, there became a sense of urgency and compassion by some of our negotiators.

The President of Palau summarized this perfectly. He said

These terms like LULUCF, NAMAS, QELROS… each of these terms have the power to determine whether our nations survive or are swept under the waves. But none of these terms capture the gravity of our situation. It will be up to our children to come up with a language for the tragedy of losing our homeland, when it did not have to be this way.

It was a stark contrast to hear the impassioned appeal of Palau to the calm and unworried speech by Australia, who represented Canada in the Umbrella Group.

Australia expressed the need to build on the Copenhagen Accord. No reference to extending the Kyoto Protocol into a second commitment period. No recognition of the plight of the world’s poorest peoples, the sense of responsibility for action, or the privilege to mark history by taking leadership.

Upon the arrival of our Environment Minister to Cancun, it is my greatest hope to impart this sense of responsibility – and privilege – to lead. I would like to send courage and strength to these negotiators so that they live up to this responsibility.

I also want to share news that I find uplifting that comes from working on this project. I recently visited the analytics of who is reading the Canadian blog and I was stunned to find out that the readership was so diverse and strong across the country. From Fort McMurray to Halifax to Yukon and Sarnia, it became clear to me that the readership of Adopt a Negotiator involved a network of citizens from all across the country. Canadians want to know if our leaders will rise to the challenge in Cancun.

I draw a great amount of hope and courage from those of you who are watching our negotiators closely. And, thanks to Palau, I also am reminded of the privilege our country has to lead during this historical juncture.

In spirit and solidarity.

Tags: baird, Canada, climate change, crisis, featured, hope, leadership, Saint Jacques, small island states