Posted by ellen on December 23, 2009 – 11:08 am
Check out Lupita Troncoso and Gier Hernandez, featured on American Urban Radio (including the Bev Smith Show and others), a feature that aired on urban radio shows nationally! While in Copenhagen, we caught up with Kari Fulton (EJCC, ChecktheWeather and Brower Youth Award winner), who invited Lupita and Gier to interview with her for a special edition of American Urban Radio featuring voices from people of color from the US that were in Copenhagen. Other leaders that were featured in the clip are representatives of the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and ChecktheWeather.net!
Check out the clip here:
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Also, stay tuned for more media interviews featuring ESLI’s Youth Delegation coming soon!
Posted by giernandez on December 20, 2009 – 7:47 pm
December 20th, Sunday, we went to the part of town called Christiania. Christiania is a special place for two reason. First, its probably the only part in town in which no pictures can be taken and second It is not part of the European Union. This very small section of Copenhagen is found around 1 to 2 kilometer away from downtown Copenhagen in an island called Christianshavn (please do not ask me how to pronounce it). The most interesting thing is that the Christiania Community is separated from the European Union, they are not govern by the laws of Denmark nor the laws of Copenhagen, they don’t even pay taxes. Years ago, anarchists took over the small community and resided there ever since, until today. Read More »
Posted by lupita on December 20, 2009 – 7:10 pm
“Christiania” says a big sign that leads into this village like square were about 800 people live. Although this is in Copenhagen, Denmark., it doesn’t have the same rules that apply to Copenhagen. This town, is basically like a a small community with their own set of rules and regulations.
As we entered, we were cautioned not to take pictures inside. We wondered why since this is technically like a village. We then say huge signs that said NO PHOTOS!! We asked and were told that the E.U. wants to get rid of this small community where people live, bond, and talk. We don’t know why, but it just seems odd too me that this little community can still survive when the Danish police can wipe them out in a second if they really felt like it.
Christiania is really a nice place that leads to lakes that we sadly didn’t get to see because it was too dark, and has lots of little vendors that have some…uhm…lets just say interesting stuff.
Posted by lupita on December 20, 2009 – 6:42 pm
Thursday we had a really wonderful dinner at this restaurant called the Caribbean. It was a dinner that was put together for EJ people. It was a really amazing. Throughout the night, while eating and chatting and mingling, I had the opportunity to introduce myself and to meet some really amazing people. Tom Goldtooth, Dr.Bullard, and Victoria Adejuwon are only some of those people. The people that I had met that night, are people who have been working on this movement for a really really long time. It really hit me today, the confidence and trust that I feel that they have in this generation. I like that, but it also feels good to have somebody there thinking that we, this generation are capable of helping with this problem. Im honored to have that weight on my shoulders, and will try my best to make an effect on this movement.
Besides those sentimental talks, we enjoyed eachothers’ company, and ate yummy food, sang together, and talked together. I felt like I belonged to something. A movement. A cause. A reason worth fighting for climate justice!
Posted by giernandez on December 19, 2009 – 6:51 pm
Klimaforum has just finish Friday, COP15 finish “negotiations” Saturday. So whats next? The US Social Forum.
The US Social Forum is an event that takes place here in the US to tallk about Social Issues that are present currently in our society. People all over the US as well as from other countries meet up to talk about these issues. There would be workshops, action plans, speakers, and other events that people can attend. The First US Forum happened in 2008 in Atlanta and the second, in 2010, will happen in Detroit. It is an opportunity for different organizations, groups and people to learn more about the issues facing the the US and the world, network and build relationship with different organizations and individuals and have fun. It will be a 5 day conference that will take place from June 22th to June 26th. Registration is free and organizations that are interested on hosting a workshop or a session is welcome. Read More »
Posted by giernandez on December 18, 2009 – 12:40 am
As you all know, we were not able to go to the COP15, The UN Climate Change Conference. So you are probably wondering, what exactly are we doing here in Copenhagen? Aside from enjoying the snow, sight seeing and partying (Just kidding), we have been attending the Klimaforum: The People’s Conference. Klimaforum is an alternative conference intended for people that wasn’t able to get in the COP15 as well as grassroots organization to meet, network and learn from each other. The Klimaforum is absolutely free, it host workshops, talks, debates, presentations, performances, film viewing and much much more. This is a free space for people to voice their concerns, spread awareness, plan action and have fun. Read More »
Posted by ellen on December 17, 2009 – 7:54 pm
Today was a powerful day for the ESLI Youth Delegation!
We woke up to a rocky start, literally… but had two experiences whose positivity and hope balanced the disappointment from earlier this week. First, we had the pleasure of being invited on a small Greenpeace fishing boat out into the harbor! It was freezing, wet and sometimes sea-sick because of today’s bad weather – BUT they took us out to have an exclusing look at Denmark’s windmill farm!
It was definitely a sight to see – especially because what would be built RIGHT next to the windmills, but a coal-fired power plant!! The visuals were so great. How ironic, right?
Stay tuned for pics and videos (camera cords are in Ellen’s stolen suitcase!).
Then, we had the HONOR of joining a historic dinner hosted by the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, of 30-40 EJ leaders from the US that had made it to Copenhagen. There were folks from all over the country. Many of the people there were some of the most respected, inspirational leaders of the EJ movement – Dr. Robert Bullard (Clark Atlanta Univ. EJ Resource Center and EJ pioneer), Dr. Beverly Wright (Deep South Center for EJ in New Orleans), Tom Goldtooth (Indigenous Environmental Network), Michael Dorsey (Durban Group for Climate Justice), Felicia Davis (EJCC/Black Women’s Roundtable), Jose Bravo (Just Transition Alliance), Mari Rose Taruc (Asian Pacific Environmental Network), and many others. And the other folks that were there – about 10-12 of us – represented emerging environmental justice leaders, including Brower Youth Award winner Kari Fulton and the ESLI Youth Delegation! We were thankful for the knowledge and experience that those leaders brought into the room – and for the relationships we were able to start or support while there! There was definitely a strong spirit of solidarity and responsibility that was passed on to the new generation. A few of the older leaders made statements in our go-around introductions that targeted the youth that were there and recognizing their appreciation for our presence. Dr. Beverly Wright said tonight was the first time she felt satisfied that the movement they had created from the ground up was okay to pass on and to allow youth to inherit the work of the environmental justice community.
Videos and pics of this will also be posted soon. 
Posted by lupita on December 17, 2009 – 10:39 am
See the video at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/dec/17/copenhagen-climate-change
on the Reclaim Power Action that happened on Dec 16th, in the morning. From the inside of the Bella Center, and the 3 different locations from the outside. There plan was to meet up together, but the police intervened with brutal force and unnecessary violence.
Another video: http://ekstrabladet.tv/nyheder/112/article1270946.ece
Check it OUT!!
Posted by giernandez on December 16, 2009 – 8:06 pm
December 16th, Wednesday, is our third day in Copenhagen. There has been a big demonstration in front of the Bella Center. It is the “Day of Action,” a People’s Assembly. It is when different non-government and non-profit organization come together to protest to put pressure to the world leaders to act now and do some action after 15 years of failed negotiations. Today is suppose to be a peaceful demonstration, but not for long.
The Plan
Flyer for the People's Assembly
The plan was for the people from the outside, people that can’t attend the UN conference or been denied to the conference, to have a demonstration outside the Bella Center. The people from the inside will then march out of the Bella center to join the rest of the people for a peaceful demonstration. This was to show and put pressure for the UN to act and not stall once again this issue that has been a problem for 15 years. Read More »
Posted by lupita on December 16, 2009 – 6:57 pm
“Green is NOT white!”
So then why does it feel like only the rich countries like the U.S, Australia, Canada, and the European Union are dominating this Climate Conference and shutting out over 100 countries from the Global South!? This feeling is common in both the adult delegation as well as the youth. The adult delegation of these 100 developing countries has been threatening on several occasions to walk out of the Bella Center because of the lack of being heard and the US decision to stall negotiations. There has also been lack of communication from the US youth delegation towards other youth delegations of color.
I for one feel that if the US youth delegation and any other delegation that comes from a rich country for that matter, don’t show solidarity with other delegations then there shouldn’t be a delegation at all. We have made delegations to get together, and to unite with each other for a better future that will affect all of us. We did NOT join delegations to support only our own countries, and not attempt to make people-to-people ties with one another.
Coming from the US, this is just embarrassing. We, as a whole, adults and youth, are not representing very well, and it has been observed. We are all making decisions that are not improving our status, and many people are depending on us to start doing something. I for one am going to do what I can.
Over the next several days I will be in contact with other youth delegations such as the African Delegation, and the Indigenous People youth delegation, and others from all over the world. I will also get the stories from other adult delegations that will emphasize on the US and communications and how they think things will go in Copenhagen. I will be recording some of these interviews and writing their statements down. I will then compose a letter to Obama and send him the footage to show how many people depend on him and the US to do start doing something about climate change.