(a piece I put together with some other youth for our daily publication in Poznan)
We must safeguard the survival of all countries and peoples.
There is no other way to put it. To do otherwise would be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Negotiators must quickly raise the level of ambition if we are to meet this necessary goal. To wait any longer is unacceptable.
Young people have laid out a clear challenge: take immediate action to safeguard the survival of all countries and peoples. This is especially important for developed countries who must reduce emissions at least 40% by 2020 compared to 1990, with an overall global goal of reducing CO2-e concentrations below 350ppm. Developed countries must also massively increase financial and technological support for both adaptation and mitigation to help achieve this global goal in an equitable manner.
As negotiators hide behind technicalities and acronyms, youth are making their vision for an equitable climate treaty abundantly clear. We need to make sure Poznan, and the year leading up to Copenhagen, are both successful. We need leadership and a commitment by parties to the survival of all countries and peoples.