Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Copenhagen!

In one week Copenhagen, Denmark will play host to the UN Climate Change conference. In Copenhagen 192 nations will participate in an effort to reach an international climate change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012. The conference begins on December 7th, I'll arrive in Copenhagen on the 12th to observe the proceedings and report on the progress (or lack thereof).

You read the news just like I do, so I won't regurgitate headlines here (at least not in this post). But while the focus has been on what won’t happen in Copenhagen – a binding international climate change treaty. What hasn’t been covered unless you’re paying keen attention are the thousands of activists all across the world who are petitioning their governments and who will descend upon Copenhagen to advocate for a treaty. What you won’t hear about are the hundreds of young people from all across the world who have formed the first officially recognized youth delegation. Young people will actually have an officially recognized voiced in the proceedings in Copenhagen.

The prospects for a binding deal are slim. More likely its probable that countries will walk away making only verbal or “political” commitments to reduce carbon emissions and agreeing to a framework and a timeline to reach a binding deal at a future session. There’s room to be cynical, but that’s all too easy. Change, is in fact hard work! And, there is plenty of work to do.

Below is a listing of youth specific organizations that’ll have a presence in Copenhagen.

SustainUS

Energy Action Coalition

It’s Getting Hot In Here
(Blog)

G-1 Billion
(Blog)

International Youth Climate Movement

Unite for Climate

Adopt A Negotiator

Sierra Club Student Coalition

Campus Progress