Caribbean Climate Justice Messengers
AOSIS Ministerial Press Conference
12 December 2019
"We hastily convened this press conference because COP 25 is demonstrating very little ambition. #COP25 is a defining moment for us. It MUST trigger a decade of ambition." - Carlos Fuller, lead negotiatior
AOSIS Summary: https://bit.ly/2YSNN4t
Full Recording of the AOSIS Ministerial Press Conference: https://bit.ly/2ruUbTb
- Category: Message EN
COP25, what could the Caribbean expect, what are we fighting for?
COP25 comes at a crucial year for ambition. After COP24 delivered the “rule book” for the Paris Agreement, now called the Katowice Climate Package, a number of important questions remain open which countries have to resolve at this COP 25 in order to create the conditions for a successful COP26 in 2020.
In spite of the strategic importance of this COP, expectations are being managed in the light of the prevailing challenging global context, created in large part by the imminent withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement |
Yes, this year’s conference is very much about preparing for next year, as 2020 will be a key year for ambition: according to COP Decision 1/CP.21, countries must submit new or updated NDCs by 2020, “at least 9 to 12 months in advance of the relevant session of the Conference of the Parties”. Parties are also invited to submit long-term strategies by 2020. The level of ambition of the new submitted NDCs will determine whether the world will keep the average global temperature rise under 1.5°C. According to the latest Emissions Gap Report 2019 by UNEP, total greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 1.5 percent per year over the past decade, and even if all current commitments made under the Paris Agreement were implemented, global temperatures would rise by 3.2°C. According to current trends, countries are on track to extract 120% more oil, gas and coal in 2030, as shown by the UNEP Production Gap Report. Thus, COP25 has the important task of ensuring that the world gets on track to deliver a dramatic increase in its ambition under the Paris Agreement.
- Category: Message EN
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The IPCC's Global Warming of 1.5 ºC Special Report
Read the IPCC's 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 ºC here
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Saudi Arabia, the US, Kuwait and Russia wanted the final statement to merely “note” the UN science report on the effects of 1.5C rise in the global temperature. But a call that started with the alliance of small island states pushed to “welcome” the findings. - Katowice brief: Saturday night drama, Climate Home News
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Science Group Deeply Alarmed by Efforts to Downplay IPCC Special Report at COP24 - Union of Concerned Scientists
- Category: Facts
An Urgent Call to Artists Worldwide
History will most likely – and hopefully – remember this 20 September 2019 as the day when the fight for climate justice finally took centre stage, when thanks to courageous and visionary young people it was no longer possible to ignore the fact that climate change is an existential threat that must be taken very seriously.
On this occasion, and while hundreds of thousands of people – mainly students, but joined by their parents, by trade unionists, media workers, people from all walks of life – marched through the streets of places as far apart as Sydney, Nairobi, Delhi or London, Saint Lucian poet, dramatist and activist Kendel Hippolyte once again issued his call for artists throughout the world to add their voice to the cry for climate justice.
- Category: Messengers
Earth day 2019: 1.5 IS STILL ALIVE!
Earth Day, 22 April 2019. As part of the #1point5toStayAlive Campaign that supports Caribbean and other vulnerable countries in the fight against climate change, Panos Caribbean has produced a new theme song, with lyrics by Saint Lucian poet and dramatist Kendel Hippolyte and music by musician and humanitarian Taj Weekes, who coordinated the production on behalf of Panos Caribbean.
- Category: Messengers
Climate Change is a Gender Issue
This video is part of a series of videos produced by Panos Caribbean, in the context of COP24, to highlight the human and social justice dimensions of climate change. It focuses on the relationship between gender and climate change, and looks in particular at the impacts of climate change on women and men, at the role of women in responding to these impacts, and at the contribution of women to the global fight for climate justice.
It features 4 Caribbean heroines in the global fight against climate change: Ambassador Dessima M. Williams, former Chair of AOSIS 2009-2011; UnaMay Gordon, Director of the Climate Change Division for the Government of Jamaica; Judith Wedderburn, Gender & Development Practitioner; and Dizzanne Billy, climate activist with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN).
- Category: Messengers
Gender Matters! - UnaMay Gordon - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
UnaMay Gordon, Director of the Climate Change Division for the Government of Jamaica, tells us how policies must consider gender when they are crafted.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Coordination Matters! - UnaMay Gordon - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
UnaMay Gordon, Director of the Climate Change Division for the Government of Jamaica, tells us about the necessity to look at the issues of climate and gender together.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Consultation Matters! - UnaMay Gordon - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
UnaMay Gordon, Director of the Climate Change Division for the Government of Jamaica, tells us how you can't make policies without the involvement of the people that will be affected by them.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Women Matter! - Dizzanne Billy - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Dizzanne Billy, a young climate activist with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), tells us how women are strong and show resilience in the face of the difficult conditions imposed on them by climate change.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Get Involved - Dizzanne Billy - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Dizzanne Billy, a young climate activist with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), tells us how anyone can apply their skills to do what they can to contribute to climate action.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Impact on Youth - Dizzanne Billy - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Dizzanne Billy, a young climate activist with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), tells us how the youth will inherit the consequences of climate actions being taken right now.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Women Matter! - Judith Wedderburn - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Gender & Development Practitioner Judith Wedderburn, tells us how gender roles in most societies are deeply ingrained, and that this does not change under the strains of extreme weather events.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Women & Water - Judith Wedderburn - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Gender & Development Practitioner Judith Wedderburn, tells us how women are expected to care for the family, and that under extreme weather events that burden becomes equally extreme on women.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Political Will - Ambassador Dessima M. Williams - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Ambassador Dessima M. Williams, Chair of AOSIS 2009-2011, tells us that what we need to overcome the climate crisis is less about financial or scientific capacities than about political will.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Social Justice - Ambassador Dessima M. Williams - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Ambassador Dessima M. Williams, Chair of AOSIS 2009-2011, tells us how climate change implies that people's human rights are denied.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Financial Support - Ambassador Dessima M. Williams - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Ambassador Dessima M. Williams, Chair of AOSIS 2009-2011, tells us how billions of dollars must be raised by 2020 to help the most vulnerable nations face the burden of the climate crisis it did not create.
- Category: Messengers
Restorative Justice - Ambassador Dessima M. Williams - COP24 - #1point5toStayAlive
Ambassador Dessima M. Williams, Chair of AOSIS 2009-2011, tells us how those who made the biggest contribution to the climate problem should make the largest contribution to the solution.
This video is part of a series produced by Panos Caribbean and its 1.5 to Stay Alive initiative, in the context of COP24, 2 to 14 December 2018.
- Category: Messengers
Climate Change Response Must Be Accompanied By Renewed Approach to Economic Development
Desmond Brown
CARIBBEAN360, 5 October, 2018
PICTURED: YVES RENARD,INTERIM COORDINATOR OF PANOS CARIBBEAN (PHOTO DESMOND BROWN)
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday October 5, 2018 (IPS) – In the face of the many challenges posed by climate change, Panos Caribbean, a global network of institutes working to give a voice to poor and marginalized communities, says the Caribbean must raise its voice to demand and support the global temperature target of 1.5 °C.
Ahead of the United Nations climate summit in December, Yves Renard, interim coordinator of Panos Caribbean, said advocacy, diplomacy and commitments must be both firm and ambitious.
He said this is necessary to ensure that the transition to renewable energy and a sharp reduction in emissions are not only implemented but accelerated.
- Category: news + announcements
Global Climate Action Must Be Gender Equal
Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands
The Guardian, 15 Novembe, 2017
Women bear the heaviest brunt of global warming, and are less empowered to contribute to solutions. A new action plan agreed at the Bonn climate talks aims to reverse this inequality, writes Hilda Heine, Marshall Islands president
- Category: news + announcements
PARTNERSHIPS AND INVESTMENTS FOR A MORE CLIMATE-RESILIENT CARIBBEAN
CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, 6 NOVEMBER, 2017
Climate resilience is a critical priority as the Caribbean Region seeks to protect development gains already achieved and to address the specific challenges and opportunities presented to improve resilience in a range of sectors; particularly, infrastructure (roads, airports, ports, coastal and river defences), tourism, agriculture and renewable energy and energy efficiency. Climate resilience is a key priority in the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) work and investments. CDB has been actively improving the resilience of its portfolio in climate-sensitive sectors such as water, agriculture and physical infrastructure. CDB mobilises and facilitates access to concessionary resources from global partners to help its BMCs finance the effective implementation of policies and investments as part of their wider sustainable development programme.
- Category: Facts