COP15 is long over, and ever since returning to the Pacific PSP have been doing important, COP15 related analysees involving graphs and complex calculators.

We wanted to remind you, though, of the fun times. Let us not forget that the work of PSP is not all so dry.

We are not, as a team, always stuck in legal textbooks, and we don’t always find ourselves conversing in corporate jargon while pondering pie charts.

Indeed, PSP has in the past been a beacon of frivolity and charisma. In the past, you ask; What past? Why, at COP15!

For those of you who have not yet been introduced, and for those of you who would enjoy reminiscing with us – I give you the Project Survival Lei.

Project Survival Pacific in Lei shirts from Vanuatu at COP15

We are, as per usual, tireless in our quest to raise environmental awareness (and funds) for the benefit of the Pacific.  Our delegates have been plotting yet another night of well-intentioned summer madness. Join us on the 19th of March at Brisbane’s most exclusive new venue Alloneword for a night of frivolities and luscious summer fashions.

Haling from the sunshine state Sandstorm swimwear along with other local designers will roll out a summer catwalk fit for the beach or boudiour, featuring Prudence Grayson’s Jetson’s esque haute swimwear and embellished summer kaftans. Bure and Soppavich will be manning the decks all night.

Swarovski jewels and a designer swimsuit are for the winning, and all proceeds go directly to our programs in the Pacific – that’s right, we’re all volunteers.

To purchase tickets for Endless Summer Brisbane, click the button below or check out further details on our events page.

The dates have been set, the sweet venue has been found and Endless Summer Brisbane is almost (finally) here. Visit us at Brisbane’s most exclusive new venue Alloneword for a night of frivolities and luscious summer fashions.

We are, as per usual, tireless in our quest to raise environmental awareness (and funds) for the benefit of the Pacific.

Sandstorm swimwear along with local Brisbane designers will roll out a summer catwalk fit for the beach or boudiour, featuring Prudence Grayson’s Jetson’s esque haute swimwear and embellished summer kaftans. Bure and Soppavich will be manning the decks all night.

Swarovski jewels and a designer swimsuit are for the winning, and all proceeds go to the Pacific.

To purchase tickets for Endless Summer Brisbane, fill out your details and follow the link below.

Girls and their swimsuits at Endless Summer Sydney

We will not post tickets to you – we will have a door list of your names, so please bring ID.

If you are purchasing several tickets for people, one ID will do, as long as you are there when you want to use them. However, please note this is an over 18 event and proof of ID will be required at the door.

We use Paypal as our gateway because it is very secure – Paypal are owned by eBay: no need to worry about the security of your data.

Can’t attend? Then attend in spirit! Everyone who attends in spirit will go into the draw to win the lucky door prize.

An abridged version of this post first appeared on The Interpreter.

The first week of the international climate change conference in Copenhagen began with bogus reports that talks were in disarray due to the slow pace of progress and the leaking of a privately prepared draft negotiating text; it ended with new proposals flying from all directions and negotiators up to their necks in draft negotiating texts.

As environment and climate change ministers from around the world fly into the Danish capital for week 2 (the “high-level segment”), they will descend into a situation that is in some respects refreshingly dynamic yet, in others, frustratingly static.

Progress from the bottom and progress from the top…

Normally, climate change agreements materialise in a bottom-up fashion, whereby countries hammer out consensus on each issue and gradually build a comprehensive text that addresses every country’s interests. As negotiations toward a Copenhagen outcome have demonstrated, this is a transparent but cumbersome process that tends to drag on for years. This process still has a long way to run, and negotiations in the first week of Copenhagen have yielded only some progress so far.

Yet the more than 100 world leaders now confirmed to attend the final days of the conference will need to produce some kind of agreement that goes some way to meeting the soaring political expectations for Copenhagen, even if it’s not a comprehensive legal text ready for their signature. This desire for tangible results in such a short time-frame necessitates a more “top-down” approach to negotiations whereby a small group of countries proposes a complete text, which they then lobby other countries to endorse or modify with a view to achieving consensus.

The bottom-up process has been occurring since Bali in 2007; the top-down process only began a few weeks ago. Both have gathered steam in Copenhagen. On Friday, the chairmen of both of the ad hoc working groups mandated to negotiate the bottom-up process released draft texts consolidating the work that had been done by all countries (much of it last week). A number of contentious issues (including detailed “numbers” for emissions reduction commitments) are still bracketed and placeholders sit where entire issues remain unresolved, so there is still a long way to go. But at least there has been some progress: one of the group’s texts, which was over 180 pages long going into Copenhagen, has been pared down to 7 pages.

Whereas these texts reflect all of the points of convergence and (through the brackets and omissions) divergence between parties, top-down approaches allow like-minded groups of countries to publish their preferred solutions in a coherent document and circulate them to everyone else. A text prepared by a group of developed countries, spearheaded by the Danish hosts, has been circulating for some time, small island countries released their preferred text on Friday, and a group of high-emitting developing countries began touting its own wish-list on the weekend.

… but a long way from a meeting in the middle

All of this activity is a welcome change from the head-bashingly slow pace at which talks have progressed to date, and suggests that most delegations are determined to achieve something meaningful in Copenhagen. Progress has also been made on some of the more technical issues.

Compromise on most of the key sticking points, however, is as elusive as ever. The differences among the top-down texts, the brackets and omissions in the bottom-up texts, and the political barbs occurring on the sidelines have brought the underlying disputes over emissions reduction obligations, the legal form of a new agreement and finance for developing countries into even sharper relief.

The most significant point of contention relates to the commitments of developing countries – particularly the major emitters – under a new international climate change regime. Developing countries continue to resist any binding, quantifiable and internationally verifiable commitments, while developed countries continue to insist that the absence of such commitments would be a deal-breaker for them. The bottom-up draft text dealing with this issue proposes a fudgy resolution that would effectively mean that developing countries would only be held to account for the emissions-reduction policies or projects they undertake with the financial support of developed countries. The responses of developed countries to that proposal were summed up frankly by US chief negotiator, Todd Stern, who summarily dismissed it as “old think” on the basis of which the US would not be prepared to negotiate.

The substantive dispute over the nature and extent of developing country commitments is also wrapped up in a debate over the legal form that a new climate agreement might take. Developed countries want a single new treaty that incorporates key elements of the Kyoto Protocol but also provides a framework for mandatory developing country emissions reduction commitments (Stern would presumably characterise this as “new think”). Developing countries want simply to amend the Kyoto Protocol to require deeper emissions reduction targets from developed countries (with additional issues such as finance, technology, deforestation and adaptation to be addressed through a package of decisions by the Conference of the Parties). Small island states want an immediate, two-treaty solution that would both extend Kyoto and incorporate the additional issues into a new “Copenhagen Protocol”.

Mid last week, Tuvalu proposed that a smaller negotiating group be established to try to bridge the wide divisions that separate countries on this issue of “legal form”. In a move that revealed the extent of developing country sensitivity over this issue, this simple procedural motion was blocked by India, China and a number of OPEC countries. Despite repeated attempts throughout the week Tuvalu, the negotiating group is yet to be established, leaving the Tuvaluan lead negotiator at his wit’s end on Saturday morning.

The scale of emissions reductions from developed countries also remains contentious. This week, countries focused on negotiating the emissions accounting rules that would be used to determine compliance with the eventual targets. Rules relating to the accounting of emissions sources and removals in the agricultural, land and forest sectors have proved particularly contentious, as the content of these rules has a big effect on the ease with which countries like Australia could meet their targets (developing countries worry that generous land-sector accounting rules will allow countries to “cook their books” and effectively meet their targets without reducing their energy, transport and industrial emissions). The aim has been to finalise these issues early so that Ministers and leaders can focus on final targets in the weeks ahead. Australian negotiators have reportedly revealed that Australia would only sign on to the upper-end of its emissions reduction target range (5-25% below 2000 levels by 2020) if these rules are resolved favourably to Australia. This issue will be one to watch in the coming days.

Finally, deep divisions remain over the amount of finance that developed countries should provide to developing countries (to help the latter reduce emission and adapt to the effects of climate change) and the institutional arrangements by which it should be governed. A developed world consensus has emerged that US$10 billion dollars of “fast-start” finance should be provided to developing countries as an interim measure to bridge the gap between now and 2013 (when any new medium-term climate agreement would take-effect). Developed countries have started pledging contributions toward this fund, but they remain silent on the amount of medium-long term funding that would be provided (ie. from 2013 onwards) as part of a new agreement, as do the various texts that are flying around. One person who is anything but silent on this issue, however, is the Sudanese negotiator who speaks on behalf of the G77 & China Group of developing countries in the negotiations – he has dismissed the $10 billion fast-start package as “no finance whatsoever” and is demanding vastly greater sums as a precondition for developing country participation in a new climate regime.

As we head into the second and final week in Copenhagen, it is extremely difficult to predict what will happen. If the first week is anything to go by, there is little prospect for a meaningful agreement. But the presence of ministers and, at the end of the week, more than 110 heads of state and government, could start to loosen long-entrenched positions. Let’s hope it does.

In general, the Project Survivalists don’t see ourselves as ‘activists’, but advocates. Despite my parents’ blatant fear that I will, at some point, be arrested for chaining myself to a coal power station, I have never been involved in a protest. It was with mixed feelings that I headed into Saturday’s climate march. But thousands of passionate people were fighting for a cause I believe in, and for better or worse, I wanted to be there.

Coming into the city on Saturday there was a strange feeling in the atmosphere. The excitement was perceptible. But there was also a deep feeling of anxiety. Police lined the streets and the train stations, and helicopters circled the sky ominously. Copenhageners peered curiously at the banner-wielding strangers. We were all wondering, but hesitant to put into words, the question on our minds: how will today end?

The march was to start at the Houses of Parliament, and finish at the Bella Centre, where COP15 is being held. We arrived late, but quickly slotted into the crowd that was gathering.

The march was visually spectacular from start to finish. Signs in the crowd spouted messages such as ‘Climate Justice Now!’ and ‘There is no Planet B’. Coming late, it was impossible to figure out where in the crowd we actually were, or whether our friends were ahead or behind us. Taking possession of a conveniently-abandoned ‘Climate Justice Now!’ sign, we embarked upon what was to be a frosty, passionate three-hour walk.

Although later reports confirmed that over 900 people were detained by police, I did not personally see any conflict (although I was sworn at in several languages by a particularly vitriolic shopkeeper). For me, the remarkable thing was the passion and unity of the global climate movement.

I felt too that there was a somber awareness of the historicalness of the moment. Estimates on attendance vary between 25,000 and 100,000 people, making it the largest climate march in history. This was a story for future children and grandchildren- an iconic ‘I was there’ moment that would stay with us all for life.

As the sky darkened, the protesters reached the Bella Centre for a candlelit vigil. I headed home relieved and exhausted. And although it may sound naïve, simply having been there revived my trust in the world. Alone in the excited crowd, it felt for a moment as if perhaps this time, world leaders would listen.

Read the entire text of the declaration here!

Polar bear ice sculpture... just one of the many incredible visual displays here at COP15! Photo: Max Bourke

United Voice of the International Youth Climate Movement

“Survival is not Negotiable”

We, the International Youth Climate Movement present during COP15 – from diverse corners of the world, have traveled thousands of miles so you can hear our voice in Copenhagen;

Affirming that our oceans are rising, our ecosystems are changing, extreme weather events are occurring more frequently, and our people are being displaced;

Declaring that the survival of countries and peoples is not negotiable;

Reminding parties that the outcome of the current negotiations will primarily affect future generations;

United by a common goal to work together for an ambitious, equitable and just, legally binding agreement;

Have agreed to push parties to commit to the following;

· Limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

· CO₂ concentrations to be stabilized at no more than 350ppm CO2 equivalence.

· For Annex I countries: a target of at least 45% reduction of CO2 levels by 2020, 95% by 2050.

· Developing, monitoring and implementing carbon reduction action plans and climate response strategies.

· Promoting and empowering fair representative youth participation in decision making.

· Ensuring adequate financing for adaptation and mitigation efforts through independent and transparent mechanisms.

· For the developed world to recognize their historical responsibility and repay their climate debt.

· Committing to justice as defined in the Bali Principles of Climate Justice.

· Ensuring technology transfer is equitable, needs based and adequately financed.

· Developing a fair mechanism for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which respects indigenous peoples’ rights.

· Assisting the transition toward a renewable economy.

We will live in a world shaped by your decisions, we urge you to listen.

“You have been negotiating all our lives, you cannot tell us that you need more time” – Christina Ora, born 1992, YOUNGO representative plenary address on Day 1, COP15.

Emily Davies relaxes in colourful shirt after back to back press conferences. Photo: Max Bourke.

Fourth day of COP15. Today I woke up bright and early, COP15 was celebrating its formal day of youth and I was ready to take on the world.

Adopting my new Danish persona I hopped on my bike, rode to the Bella Centre, and eagerly made my way to the YOUNGO spokescouncil. The council is a representative group of all youth organisations present at COP15, my role at this meeting for the day, was to present and propose a declaration compiling the voice of this constituency the the council.

Standing up in front of this large group of people I realised that I may have gotten myself into a bigger job than I first expected by trying to convince this group of headstrong climate activists that I represented (along with my research into global youth declarations) the voice of each of them.

After some debate my proposal to pass the document was approved on a vote of faith that the end product would be a credible policy document. Therefore, with YOUNGO’s blessing in hand a policy meeting was held after the spokescouncil and a few hours later the “United Voice of the International Climate Change Movement” was created. Super!

As it was the official day of youth at the conference it was now time to gain as much media around the document so amid actions such as raindances and flash mobs I attended two press conferences and presented the document with a good friend of mine from Cameroon to as many people as possible.

Meanwhile, my gorgeous team who allowed me to disappear for a while were organising the highly successful “Global message stick” where our Pacific delegates approached the media creating stories through presenting inviting and anecdotal stories about themselves, the press loved it and many of our delegates were featured in Indian press.

In policy news, Tuvalu is still holding their ground and some parts of the conference are thus suspended. Apparently, AOSIS is presenting their formal proposal tomorrow so we’ll just have to see what becomes of that!

At COP you always find yourself very busy and sometimes you’re not even sure why. It is only at the end of the night when you look back you realise how much you’ve achieved and why it was all worth it. At the end of the day I decided to drop by a NGO party and ran into a contact i’d been looking for, even when socialising it seems you live and breathe COP.

Kudos to you day four, who knows what the rest of the days will hold in this crazy reality that is COP15?

In the meantime, have some pretty pictures of the PSP superstars doing what they do best!

Born in 1992 when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed by 154 states, 17 year old Christina Ora made a moving speech at the closing plenary of the opening of the COP15 on Monday.

Christina made the speech on behalf of the global youth constituency. During the two weeks of the climate change conference, she is working with the Solomon Islands Delegation and Project Survival Pacific, a project of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, to raise the voice of Pacific island countries.

In a moving two minute speech she made in front of thousands of people, Ms Ora said that youth are mobilizing support from millions of people all over the world for the fair, adequate and legally binding agreement that youths deserved.

“I speak on behalf of the international youth to express the urgency of the climate crises for my generation, your children and your grandchildren.

“I was born in 1992, you have been negotiating all my life you cannot tell us that you need more time, commit now to decisions that will guarantee our future,” Ms Ora said.

She said this is the first year for youths to be recognized as an official constituency representing the global youth movement in which young people and youth organizations have joined hands to prevent the negotiators from negotiating their future away.

“It is now your responsibility to build on this support to finally take political action,” Ms Ora said.

After the speech, Mr Ora said that she was honoured to be given the privilege of speaking for the youth constituency.

“I was proud to be a young Solomon Islander, standing up for young people and people from vulnerable communities all over the world,” she said.

Ms Ora was selected to speak on behalf of the global youth because of her experience in Canada when she attended a speaking tour on climate change in October this year.

Christina Ora with Michael Zammit Cutajar, Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group for Longterm Cooperative Action

PSP ed: COP15 is still feeling the after effects of Christina’s empassioned speech. The chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group for Longterm Cooperative Action, Michael Zammit Cutajar, brought Christina onto stage to congratulate her at the youth briefing on Tuesday. The speech was covered in Australian, Pacific and other international press. And we just found out that Kevin Rudd included a quote from Christina in his letter to all of the delegations:

“You have been negotiating all my life“.

Congratulations to Christina for her speech, Gina for having this article published in the Solomon Star, and the whole PSP team for their tireless efforts to leave the world the way we found it.

6am, wake up and realise that Cop15 starts today. Excitement and nervous energy abounds in the group as no one is sure what will happen. But first we have to scramble to get ready, need to get there by 7.30 as we have a fear we won’t be allowed in because the UN has accredited too many observers.

7.30am arrive at Cop15! It’s real, finally here.  Two weeks to change the world.  Have to make the negotiators listen to our message: “Survival is not negotiable”. Expectation in the group is high that we will deliver a fair, ambitious and binding (FAB) agreement.  We’re youth of course FAB is what we aim for.

7.40am proceed to security clearance.  Security guards are grumpy, probably because they had to get up earlier than us.  We find our booth in the conference centre, the Bella Centre. Location is great. It’s one of the first booths as you enter the venue and all the delegates including the negotiators have to walk past in order to get into the Centre.

8am booth has been set up.  Not as spectacular as we would have liked but have all day to spruce it up for tomorrow. More importantly we have donned our aelean shirts (Islander Shirts) that we’re specially made for us by a big mamma in Vanuatu.  Shirts are bright and make us stand out from everyone. Media especially loves us in our shirts. Interview requests flying left right and centre. Camera’s following our every action.

8.30am hitting up negotiators with our 1.5 badges. Positive response. Lots of people taking the badges and pinning it to their lanyard.  Badges are a good way to break the ice and have a good chat to people about what their want.

10am plenary (conference) is about to open. Only 350 NGO delegates can get into the main conference venue.  Aycc and PSP scored big and got 15 tickets to the event.  We have decided that our Pacific youth all attend and have given tickets to them.  The rest of us are piling into several over flow rooms around the conference centre where the opening ceremony will be live telecasted.

10.30am plenary starts. Usual stuff with people speaking. De’vore defends the science behind climate change strongly and delivers a passionate plea for action as does the Danish Minister.

4pm day has flown away. Lots of negotiators, NGO and media popping by our booth or stopping us around the conference centre to have a chat.

4.30pm pile into a LCA track meeting as we have managed to get Christina Ora, a 17 year PSP delegate from the Solomon Islands an opportunity to address the plenary on behalf of all world youth.

6pm Have been waiting for an hour and a half for the parties (the countries) to stop speaking so Christina can talk.  Complete waste of time having the parties address the opening session of the LCA track. Speeches are pre written, contain no new information and regurgitate the same stuff from past meetings and statements.  Only original contribution was from the Solomon Islands delegation who made an impassioned and emotional plea for action as the survival of small islands states are not negotiable.

6.10pm Christian has finally been recognised by the Chair. Delivers a short but excellent speech.  Gets a standing ovation from the youth in the meeting! Chair also reacts positively to Christina. Calls on plenary to act and points out as Christina did, that action on climate change has talked about for at the entire time that Christina has been alive and that perhaps the time to act is now.

7pm Round off day with a meeting of PSP. Awesome day for us. Project Survival brand was dominant and the ‘survival not negotiable message’ well received by all. Tomorrow another day in our brightly coloured shirts – more media, more negotiators and more people to get the message out that FAB action is needed now.

PSP team at COP