WILPF in Paris for COP 21

by Nancy Price, Earth Democracy Issue Committee

From Nov. 29 to Dec. 12, all eyes will be on Paris. International WILPF will be there with a display at the main exhibition space and with panels at the People’s Climate Summit. Every UN climate negotiation has fallen far short of what needs to be done to avoid climate disaster.

Big energy has lobbied hard for minimal action, and leaders from the industrialized nations have not had the courage to take bold steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adequately fund the UN Green Climate Fund to help countries with adaptation and mitigation. This year COP 21 (Conference of the Parties) must have a different outcome.

Marching for Climate Justice: To make our voices heard, the global climate movement will have the first and last word in Paris. There will be a massive march on November 29, just before negotiations begin on November 30, and December 12, the day after negotiations end, a second massive march to set the agenda for actions in 2016.

Here’s important information

First: Meeting up in Paris

If you are going to Paris, we’ve created a listserv for you to share contact information and keep up-to-date about WILPF activities there. If you’d like to be on the listserv, please email me at nancytprice39@gmail.com. We hope to have a place where WILPFers can meet in Paris on Dec. 4.   

Second: WILPF Plans for COP 21

Nancy Price and Odile Hugonot Haber have been working with Sophie Morel (France) and Heidi Meinzolt (Germany), along with Lorraine Mirham and Edel Havin Beukes of WILPF International’s Environmental Working Group, on plans for Paris. Two panels were submitted for approval for the People’s Climate Summit, Dec. 5-6,  one titled “Nuclear Energy Will Not Save the Planet,” linking civilian and military uses of nuclear energy and pollution, and the other is “Facing Climate Change: Growing Militarism vs. International Solidarity.”   Be sure to consult the People’s Climate Summit for information about all activities during those two days. The International office in Geneva has designed posters for the display in the exhibition hall in space that will bring together a large number of women’s groups working for climate justice.  

Third: Calls to Action

1. Here’s the Climate Change, Environmental Justice and Peace Resolution passed at the Centennial Congress in The Hague to print out for tabling.
2. Read The Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice set forth by a number of women’s organizations who state: “Women of the world have had enough. The time for Urgent Action is now. We are speaking Truth to Power. We are Demanding Change.”  You can sign on to join the call here.
3. From November 20 onward, climate marches are being organized across the world.
4. Join a Global Climate March action near you – or start one in your community. Here is more information. 
5. Be sure to add your name here to the petition to world leaders calling for keeping 80% of fossil fuels in the ground and building a just transition to 100% renewable and real “green” energy by 2050.