This sign calls for a halt on nuclear energy production as a solution to climate change.  Nuclear energy does not involve the burning of fossil fuels and in turn limits the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  Due to this fact, many people feel an increase in Nuclear energy is a solution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.  However, the opposition question the safety of the plants, where the nuclear waste will be disposed, financial expense and the carbon emissions from building the plants. The organizations backing the idea of putting a halt to nuclear production as a solution to climate change include Amis de la Terre, France Nature Environment, Greenpeace, Heinrich Boll Foundation and Réseau Sortir du Nucléaire.  

​Agribusiness refers to large-scale factory farming that is pesticide and fertilizer dependent. According to the Climate Institute, agriculture is responsible for 25% of the greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, and cites agriculture as being responsible for nearly 1/3 of climate change.  Peasant agriculture, on the other hand, signifies small-scale farming. Small scale farms are the antithesis of large, monoculture farms, using minimal or no pesticides and fertilizer, planting many different species and planting crops appropriate for the climate meaning less reliance on irrigation.   

​Ecosocialists, especially from the United States and Canada, believe that capitalism is a major driving force of climate change. They argue that environmental degradation and social injustice stems from a for-profit driven model of society. Therefore, ecosocialism promotes working outside the current for-profit economic and political model in order to achieve climate justice. These activists are calling for an end to capitalism, believing that will help halt climate change. 

Rijan Mulmi, a Nepali youth representative at COP21, underscored how the current model of development adopted by most western countries and followed by the rest of the world is “unsustainable”. He highlighted the need to reject the status quo and create an alternative development model. First of all, he suggested that this development model should be tailored to meet the needs of specific countries, rather than having a “one size fits all” approach. Secondly, these plans could include building car-free cities, in order to strengthen community bonds and reduce dependence on carbon polluting vehicles. Lastly, Mulmi emphasized that it is time to steer the conversation from the idea of donations to the idea of exchange of skills and knowledge between the developing and developed countries, especially in the issue of climate change. As an example, Mulmi spoke about establishing an institution to transfer Nepali indigenous knowledge about sustainable practices in order to help other nations reach their carbon reduction targets. 

You may be wondering, what are some of these indigenous practices are and what role do they play in combatting climate change? Luckily, I had the opportunity to interview some representatives of Nepali indigenous groups and I can give you an overview of what I learned. Mr. Tunga Bhadra Rai, a member of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) highlighted that indigenous communities are truly a “part of nature”. His community in Khotang district, located in the north of the country is taught to respect the boundaries of human-nature interactions throughout their lives. For example, they make sure that they only hunt certain species of birds during certain times of the year. 

Although this community and other indigenous communities may not be aware of the correct jargon surrounding climate change issues, they are personally experiencing its consequences. Mr. Sudarshan Chaudhary, a member of the Tharu community from the Terai region, representing the Youth Federation of Indigeneous Nationalities gave an example of how fisherman are losing their livelihoods because rivers are drying up and dams are being built, not to fulfill the needs of the surrounding communities, but to provide power in city areas. Furthermore, the rising temperatures, along with uncoordinated and non-inclusive government decisions have increased the rates of infectious diseases within the community. For example,the government pushed for steel houses instead of traditional mud houses to be built. Traditional mud houses are much more efficient at maintaining a cool temperature when compared to steel houses, yet government decisions as well as industrialization has led to a removal of a safe and sustainable practice in that community. 

The next natural question is, how much representation do indigenous groups have at COP21 or within their own governments? Mr. Nagendra Kumar Kumal, a current Member of Parliament and president of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities as well as Ms. Pratima Gurung, the General Secretary at Nepal Indigenous Disabled Association (NIDA) described how governments across the world, especially in Nepal, have not yet recognized potential contributions and rights of indigenous people. At COP this year, there is an indigenous pavilion in the public area and there are several events in that pavilion. One of the biggest successes so far during COP21 has been the acknowledgement of indigenous groups’ climate resilient practices in negotiations and in the draft Paris agreement. However, there still seems to be a gap between government priorities and community priorities. While governments may be focusing on receiving financial assistance to help with mitigation and adaption for vulnerable groups, like indigenous people, youth groups from Nepal and indigenous activists have pointed out that financial assistance is not enough. 

As Mulmi and Rai argue, rather than only viewing indigenous people as victims of climate change and focusing on financial assistance, they should be viewed as key members or actors in combatting climate change and its effects. The knowledge that Indigenous people possess about their environment and their strong collective values that promote conservation and equilibrium can be strong drivers in attaining carbon reduction goals in a sustainable manner. 

Let me know what you think of this alternative model!

Ever wondered what it is like to walk through the Blue Zone (area not open to the general public) of the COP?  Check out what some of the countries have on display this year.  

The United States Center, located conveniently near the entrance, is dominated with information from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) including the giant interactive globe pictured above.  This globe represents the mission of NOAA by tracking and predicting climate change across the world.  There are continuous panel discussions, presentations and speeches being given at the US Center.  

The bright colors of the Mexico Center, starkly contrasts with the subdued red, white and blue of the United States Center.  Their most prominent display is a large video projector allowing visitors to see themselves in some of Mexico's most beautiful natural landscapes.  This helps people to relate to the natural resources of Mexico that may be lost with the progression of Climate Change.  

The South Korea Center attracts visitors with a face-in-the-whole photo opportunity.  Their main focus is on sustainable urban development, pointing out that 75% of global energy use is in cities.  There were a lot of big name people giving presentations at the South Korea Center, including the new chair of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), Hoesung Lee, pictured on the bottom right and the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, Bambang Susantono (top right fourth from the left).    

The Gulf Cooperation Council has one of the most elaborate displays, including a touch screen computer that allows you to click through their climate change plans.  The Gulf Cooperation includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.  All of these countries are big oil exporters (maybe it is oil money funding this elaborate set up).  

Ecuador has a small, colorful area, which boasts about their forests.  Their most prominent display is a banner with black handprints on it (pictured above).  Ask any Ecuadorian Party member and they will explain that Ecuador is still fighting against Chevron for an oil spill that devastated the Amazon three decades ago.  The Ecuador Center also contains vast information on how Ecuador plans to protect the Amazon through REDD+.  

It is hard to miss the India Center, as they have a giant water feature that spells out various words including India, COP21 and Paris.  Similar to the display at the Gulf Cooperation, India has a touch screen computer that allows visitors to navigate through their plans to mitigate climate change, specifically about how they plan to reduce their emissions by 33 to 25 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.  

Morocco, who will be hosting COP22 next year, has a small display entirely in red and green.  They have a computer that visitors can navigate through to learn about their mitigation plans.  Their display makes evident how proud the country is to be hosting COP next year.  

The Nordic Cooperation includes Greenland, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands and Aland.  In their pavilion you can sit on seats made out of fur and tree stumps and read up on their climate solutions. Nordic Carbon Dioxide emissions are 1/5 of the global average despite having the world's 12th largest economy.  

I was on my way to the conference when I saw a talk titled "​Citizens of the World: COP21 Actors" having seen Alec Baldwin just the day before I assumed it was about actors and celebrities making statements about what they want to see for climate change. Well, let's just say I was very wrong. 😬

The reason I wanted to write about this specific talk is that this idea and this organization was summed up perfectly at the debate about the poll,

This is what I feel we need to get real information and realise what we need to do to get an idea of how literate the world is in climate change. After looking over the report, I posted this:

This program and organization is what made me feel truly hopeful about the public and their knowledge of climate change and I hope the organization continues to host a poll on Climate Change.

Here's a link to their website where you can look through the report. http://climateandenergy.wwviews.org (Picture below is taken from the report.)

1. Solar Energy
France intends to double their solar capacity by 2020, this would put their total at 10,000 MW

2. Wind Power
France plans to increase their wind power to 19,000 MW by 2020 through an increase in onshore parks, marine farms and individual wind turbines.  

What are some solutions? 
Women across the globe are coming up with innovative ways to make their voices heard in order to both mitigate and adapt to climate change.  Examples include: 

• Marina Sophia Flevotomas has created culturally relevant educational artwork to teach women about health issues and climate change issues.
• Another method for women to combat climate change is by grouping together. Women across Latin America are creating women’s groups dedicated to combating climate change. By creating women's groups, they are able to mobilize even more members of their communities to spread important messages about climate change within and beyond their families.
• The director of Redd Mujeres (Network of Women) spoke of how women have to come together to demand that the world stops destroying the environment and she emphasized that they are not going to stop until action is taken. Banding together makes women’s voices louder. 
• Modern technology can also assist women in their fight against climate change. In Taiwan there are two different phone apps being used by women. One focuses on pollution monitoring and is used primarily by women and their children. The other app was created to help deal with Typhoons. After a Typhoon occurs it is very difficult to find fresh produce and to make up for the loss of produce farmers increase pesticides and fertilizer to produce more food faster. As climate change worsens, typhoons are becoming more frequent. This app allows women to locate healthy food and learn if the food is being produced organically.

For entertainment purposes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCBttS_y7lE

​2. Pra caught up with her cousin from Nepal who is also attending COP 21.  Both native Nepali, they discussed Nepali youth perspectives verse government stance.