Climate Change blog

A Climate Shame, but we're Not Done Yet

Karina Brisby — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:09:02 +0000

Oxfam International, along with our TckTckTck campaign partners, are disappointed that the UN Climate Climate Conference, that finished in Copenhagen, today did not deliver a Fair, Ambitious and Binding deal. Jason Mogus, from TckTckTck, has guest blogged for us today, to tell us that although our leaders did not deliver a deal, the global movement of millions of people who taken action this year, means that the demand for climate justice will continue.

History will judge our leaders' actions at the UN Climate Conference

Karina Brisby — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:35:39 +0000

I am watching world leaders give their speeches from the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen, with colleagues and bloggers from around the world, who over the past two weeks have been doing everything we can to ensure a fair, ambitious and binding deal gets made in Copenhagen.

Watching the statements of the leaders takes me back to last night, when the Oxfam Big Heads, stood in a line-up to remind their real life counterparts, that history will remember their actions today.

Oxfam UN Conference Verdict - Historic moment, historic gathering, historic COP out

Ainhoa Goma — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:23:39 +0000

The ‘climate deal’ on the table in Copenhagen today is a triumph of spin over substance says Oxfam International. The deal – which has been announced by the US, India, China and South Africa - has not been endorsed by the EU and many other countries.

The deal provides no confidence that catastrophic climate change will be averted or that poor countries will be given the money they need to adapt as temperatures rise. Leaders have also put off agreeing a legally binding deal until the end of 2010.

Being Nicolas Sarkozy

Al Kinley — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:09:11 +0000

Very few people have the opportunity to be the President of the French Republic in their lifetime, but today I was lucky enough to take up the mantle, at least for half an hour and be Nicolas Sarkozy.

The final push

Ainhoa Goma — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:49:49 +0000

Starting today, we have three major actions in Copenhagen: a vigil at 5pm Thursday, the Fossil of the Year at 1pm Friday followed by a spectacular leader-shaming action, and a candlelit aerial photo at 5pm Friday--all at the new space.

Moment of crisis: Copenhagen talks are failing but rich country leaders can fix it

Ian Sullivan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:03:45 +0000

This is a moment of crisis. World leaders are jetting in to Copenhagen for the last couple of days of the talks but the talks are on verge of massive failure. Rich countries aren’t stepping up to the plate and offering the climate financing and the other vital measures that are central to any fair and binding deal.

International climate hearing: "1.5 million people. act now save lives"

Ainhoa Goma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:20:36 +0000

Today's international climate hearing, hosted by Oxfam, was the first of it's kind. At the heart of the UN negotiations, which, in week 2 have become known for their slow pace and frustrating lack of progress, climate witnesses gathered to remind delegates that this isn't talk, it isn't politics. It's about people.

Somalia: A way of life lost

Jane Barrett — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:19:06 +0000

In Burcao, Somaliland we visited a village called Ununley. Here, in houses spread on either side of the road, live pastoralist families. When the village gathers to meet us, providing an occasion to drink tea and chew khaat, there is a distinct majority of elderly and women. Indeed, many men have gone with their sheep and goats to search for water. The latest information, a village elder tells us, is that it has rained by the Ethiopian border.

Global Day of Action on Climate, the world demands a Real Deal.

Karina Brisby — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:20:03 +0000

Today is December 12, 2009 and it will go down as a day, when ordinary people around the world all joined together to demand action on Climate Change.

Here in Copenhagen, an estimated 100,000 strong rally are walking towards the UN Climate Conference, from the centre of town. Photos and phone calls from the Oxfam contingent, report back with the news that while it is a peaceful march, the crowd are unswerving in their demands for a fair, ambitious and legally binding deal on climate, now.

Ask the Japanese Prime Minister to be a climate leader at Copenhagen

Karina Brisby — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:22:56 +0000

Watch Junichi and Shoya's message to Prime Minister Hatoyama, of Japan, and then send your own message to the Prime Minister, by asking him to show climate leadership at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen, by sending him a message on his comment board.

Here is an example of what you may want to say to the Prime Minister.

Tiny Tuvalu islands could make or break the UN Climate Summit

Alison Woodhead — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:45:29 +0000

I’m told by family and friends who are a comfortable distance from the Bella Centre that all they can hear is angry barking.

It’s certainly absolutely bewildering. Everyone – NGOs, negotiators and journalists – is trying to figure out the significance of the draft text tabled by small island countries that no-one’s seen yet and the draft text from Africa that no-one’s seen yet and the freeze on negotiations caused by the 4th smallest country in the world …

Radio Oxfam: On the road to Copenhagen!

Geraldine Clermont — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:42:14 +0000

For the Copenhagen climate summit, Oxfam-Magasins du monde, Oxfam-Solidarité and Oxfam-France, along with 750 European citizens, will board the euro-train connecting Brussels to Copenhagen tomorrow (11-12-13 December).

UN 0, Climate Danger 1

Romain Benicchio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:32:45 +0000

Although the official kick-off has only just taken place and everyone has just finished warming up, the progress of the match between the UN and Climate Danger is already clear.

The first week is for the negotiators, then the ministers arrive next weekend, and finally about 100 heads of state will come to wrap it up at the end of the second week.

Even the quiet days are noisy at the UN Climate Change Conference

Alison Woodhead — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:10:07 +0000

When you ask people what happened yesterday in the negotiations at the COP , they’ll say – not much. Delegates were hunkered down in side rooms and there were no major sessions taking place. But it’s interesting how steamy a ‘not much’ day can be. And it feels like the temperature is rising quite quickly.

Do you live in Europe? Then call your leader on climate.

Karina Brisby — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:03 +0000

We are joining our friends at Avaaz, to call on European leaders, to play their part at the UN Climate talks, and we need you.

If you live in Europe call your leader and leave them all or one of the three messages below, in the number finder – then please leave a comment to tell us that you have called your leader.

Reflections on Day 1 of the UN Climate Conference

Alison Woodhead — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:45:10 +0000

The queues for the Bella Centre started just after dawn. Yesterday the building was quiet and clean as a church. It’s lunchtime on the first day and already the place looks more like a students union. The Oxfam team is huddled near the entrance to the media centre –we’ve just had our first squabble over plugpoints.

The first ‘incident’ has just occurred – this time it was a group of kids doing a kooky and good tempered ‘climate dance’, but the tone of direct actions inside the Bella Centre is likely to sour pretty quickly.

10 million voices demand a FAB Climate Deal

Karina Brisby — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:59:15 +0000

Yesterday, the voices of 10 million people from around the world, who have demanded a FAB deal on climate, were handed to the Head of the UN Climate Conference, Yvo de Boer and the Danish Climate Minister and President of this conference, Connie Hedegaard. Look at more photos of the hand-in on our Flickr page.

Going underwater to bring the reality of climate change to Copenhagen

Karina Brisby — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Oxfam campaigner in a simulated flood situation to highlight the impact of climate change on vunerable and developping countries, at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenagen. Credit: Ainhoa Goma/Oxfam Intenational Climate Hearing in Patna, in India's poorest State, Bihar, refer to 'changing weather' or 'change of weather'. But they do know what is happening and express it in the way it affects their lives.

“When a certain bird comes we would know when to plant our crops - now we don't know” (referring to Siberian cranes).

Choirs, Polar Bears, Hakas, Waves and talking Prime Ministers

Karina Brisby — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:50:22 +0000

With two days to go before the UN Climate Change Conference starts in Copenhagen, I thought a quick roundup of some of the inspiring actions from Oxfam supporters around the world, would be a great reminder for us all to take action on Climate Change.

3 days until the UN Climate Change Conference begins

Karina Brisby — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:55:20 +0000

And it’s getting hectic. Emails are flying, to-dos are getting ticked off and equipment is being unpacked, as my colleagues and I finalise our plans and begin arriving in Copenhagen, just ahead of the start of the UN Climate Conference.

Why are we here?

What do 1.5 million voices sound like?

Joel M Bassuk — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:00:40 +0000

On the eve of the UN climate talks begin next week, I'm not going to bore you with facts and figures. Rather I want to share an inspiring video.

China and Climate Change – 5 Facts

Filip Nohe — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:49:09 +0000

The environmental impact of China is significant: It has a large population, huge reserves of coal, a fast-growing economy – and is not bound to international greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Yet, before anyone puts the blame for climate change on China we need to put some things into perspective. Oxfam Hong Kong has compiled some key facts on China and climate change.

Copenhagen climate summit: Will it be FAB?

Ian Sullivan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:13:38 +0000

In a little less than 2 weeks, Copenhagen will be transformed as negotiators, leaders, media and campaigners descend on Denmark’s capital. So, let’s take a look at how things stand on the eve of the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Take a look at our spanking new climate quiz

Richard Casson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0000

For the past few months, we’ve been beavering away, working on a project with some famous campaigners, celebrities and well-known bloggers.

Well, we’re proud to say that it’s now time to ditch the old name and officially launch (under its proper name) The Climate Challenge – our brand-new, interactive quiz about climate change.