FAWCO UN Rep Ayuska Motha (AIWC Cologne) joining a demonstration calling for climate justice at COP25 in Madrid. Photo credit: Annabelle Avril, WECF
Hello from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain. You may have already heard that the COP25 that was planned for Santiago, Chile was moved to Madrid due to the social unrest 3 weeks before it was to begin. The parallel People’s Summit still took place in Santiago, as well as a Social Summit for Climate in Madrid, in solidarity with the people of Chile.
This year’s negotiations are to finalize implementation of the Paris Agreement. There are a few sticking points that have been carried over from last year’s conference and even though we are already into the second week of negotiations, some of the issues have not been resolved and are awaiting high level minister decisions. I will report on the outcomes of that when we have more.
Last Friday was a climate march of 500,000 people here in Madrid with Greta Thunberg arriving by sailboat and train just in time to join in too. FAWCO marched along with Women and Gender Constituency (WGC) members as part of the Spanish ecofeminist block here. WGC members had been working with an artist over the past week to create illuminated, recycled-plastic jellyfish as props for the march. Members had also made a fabulous illuminated sign since the march took place in the evening. As soon as the lights were turned on, swarms of photographers and crowds of bystanders came by to take photos, inquire and show their support. The march lasted for 3 hours and was fun, peaceful and inspiring. The sheer number and diversity of people who were out there on the streets demanding action on climate change was impressive. The crowds marched and chanted in English and Spanish, sang songs, danced and generally had a good time too.
After the frustration of the difficult negotiations, it was refreshing to see and feel the power of the people. Although the urgency of climate change has not yet reached the negotiating table within the UN, it was reassuring to at least know that there is a rapidly growing movement demanding action. Their calls are growing louder and louder and it is getting harder and harder for decision-makers to ignore them.