Jan. 13, 2010 -- Eleven youth from across seven territories in the Caribbean converged in Copenhagen, Denmark for the recently concluded Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15), United Nations Conference on Climate Change.  The youth joined thousands of other youth and civil society representatives from around the world in the Scandinavian capital this month. Their main goal was to lobby government leaders to sign a deal which committed both developed and developing countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 350ppm or below, as well as to ensuring that global temperatures do not increase more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

After two years of negotiations as stated through the Bali Road Map, the COP15 was to be the stage for the most important negotiations in climate change history. Denmark was to be the location for government leaders from around the world to meet to determine a fair, effective and binding treaty. However, despite several days of negotiations, the final agreement contained no reference to 350ppm/1.5degrees and essentially spelt a death sentence for small island states such as those in the Caribbean.

The conference provided accurate insight on how developed countries continue to bully developing countries into accepting their will. The young Caribbean representatives expressed disappointment in our world leaders.

Roxanne Brown, youth delegate and member of CYEN’s Trinidad chapter, believes that a strong treaty could have come from Copenhagen but a lack of political will and selfish economic interests prevented this from happening. Ms. Brown said that “…many (of our world leaders) were willing to trade their future and the future of those who depend on the earth's resources for present economic gain.”

Mariama Branker one of the
advisors for the Caribbean youth delegation expressed remorse for the outcome of the conference, but thanked her Caribbean government leaders for maintaining their position of 1.5 degrees throughout the negotiations. Ms. Branker, who also formed part of the Barbados delegation at the conference, added that “Despite the fact that we did not achieve the goal of acquiring a legally binding agreement, the conference provided an opportunity for dialogue between Caribbean leaders and Caribbean youth.”

The decision by the governments of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent to have youth involved in the negotiations is certainly critical as we move forward in 2010-which the United Nations has declared the international year of youth. 

By integrating Caribbean youth into the official processes Caribbean governments have demonstrated how important they believe youth opinions are in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, such as climate change. In 2010 CYEN plans to continue its climate change education and advocacy programme and hopes that Caribbean governments continue to hold steadfast to the position as stated in the Lilliendaal declaration on climate change and the AOSIS proposal until the COP resumes in Mexico this year.”

For more information on the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and the Caribbean Youth Delegation’s experience in Denmark please contact: Mariama Branker, Advisor and Logistics Coordinator, Caribbean Youth Delegation, Caribbean Youth Environment Network CYEN - Regional Office cfc@cyen.org ; Te#: 4376055/56.

CYEN is the largest youth environmental network in the Caribbean and spans over 17 territories. The organisation holds a distinguished track record of youth lead environmental and sustainable development advocacy. This year CYEN is focusing on the issues of climate change as well as the promotion of sustainable livelihoods through education and awareness of young Caribbean people.