"...Yesterday I attended a meeting with South Africa's climate negotiators (who've been traipsing around the world to all the preparatory meetings before Copenhagen and who just got back from one in Barcelona, Spain). One of the loveliest moments yesterday was being told by one of the negotiators and one of the observers how in the final session at Barcelona, 350 was PLASTERED all over the hall. (If you haven't yet viewed this video of the team in Barcelona, please do - very encouraging: )
Now, a quick update on the handing over of the albums of photos of all your beautiful actions:
- The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica, was given the album by 3 lovely young women from the Underberg region of KZN on Tuesday, 3rd November - with the wonderful support of Bishop Geoff Davies from SAFCEI. A photo of the delivery team is attached (the young women's "chaperone" is on the right), and their lovely letter which they read to the Minister before handing her the album. The Minister received this very graciously.
- On Thursday, 5th November, a small group of us handed over an album to the Speaker of Parliament, Max Sisulu. Thabo Lusithi (CEJ coordinator), Mpume Mhlalisi (of Climate Justice Now network), Liz McDaid (of SAFCEI) and myself met with the Speaker in his fancy boardroom and we had about 20 minutes to speak with him about climate issues. We also gave him a Spekboom seedling in one of the lovely decorated cans (from the Imhoff Waldorf School's climate action).
- Yesterday I handed an album over to the South African team of climate negotiators who will be at Copenhagen. They were very pleased to receive some 'uplifting' pictures and were VERY encouraging of our efforts, asking us to please continue piling on the pressure. They had all just come from the Barcelona climate talks and they had both good and bad news. The bad news is that the EU has joined the "obstinate gang" (which consists of US, Australia, Japan and a few others) who are really trying to de-rail the negotiations and stubbornly refuse to accept responsibility for their historical emissions. The EU had been pretty progressive and constructive previously, but are now digging in their heels. And the obstinate gang seemed to cause a fair amount of damage and divisiveness last week, so things are not looking good for Copenhagen. At the same time, the good news is that Africa led a call for a much stronger push on industrialised countries to set real emissions targets, and the Africa group became the solid core around which the G77 & China group rallied.
...the other good news is that the momentum is building towards Copenhagen in a really positive way - far more people around the world are now aware of Copenhagen and the importance of that conference, and far more people are aware of 350 and the call for a just treaty!
In regards to handing albums to Zuma and Manuel (and I requested a brief meeting with Vavi of Cosatu as well), I am still awaiting responses. We may have to be more creative here - I'll keep you posted, but if any of you have a great idea, please share.
Then, I've attached a really cute photo of a kid at a Hawaiian 350 action, with a very poignant and simple message. And finally, a reminder about the Facebook group for 350 supporters/organisers.
--
Samantha Bailey ~ Africa Field Coordinator ~ 350.org ~"
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