Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Courtesy: Abigail Borah
Every two weeks the TckTckTck team proudly recognizes one of the 300+ partner organizations making up our global climate movement.
This time we’re delighted to share a short interview with Abigail Rose Borah from SustainUS. We first met Abigail last December at COP17 in Durban when she made an impassioned (and unauthorized) speech to the US delegation. Learn more about what inspired her to speak out, the challenges of the US Presidential Election and what she would say to world leaders on a date with history.
TCK: At the most recent Conference of the Parties in Durban you made an emotional plea during a speech by the US representative. Can you tell us more about what was going through your head and why you decided to speak out?
ABIGAIL BORAH: Throughout the conference, I watched and listened to negotiators postpone social justice, economic recovery, and binding pollution reductions. In the plenary halls, the conference corridors, and behind closed doors, the voices of urgency and ambition had been silenced. No one was listening to scientific experts, to vulnerable communities, and to young people begging negotiators to protect our future.
I could not be silenced by the fear that my voice did not matter in this process. When I stood up and spoke out, I carried a simple message: We can no longer afford to delay action to combat climate change. It is too late to wait.
TCK: You work for SustainUS and your organization is normally very visible around the UNFCCC. Can you tell us what plans you have for Rio+20 and where you believe progress can be made within this forum that could positively influence the UNFCCC?
ABIGAIL BORAH: SustainUS will be sending about twenty U.S. youth to Rio+20. We’re busy crafting policy proposals, pitching stories to the media, and growing the international youth movement towards sustainable development. Rio+20 represents a powerful opportunity to mobilize worldwide excitement and energy for sustainable development issues, including climate change. The challenge of Rio+20 is inherently the same challenge that we are working to address at the UNFCCC – that is, the current dominant society is operating in ways that are quickly breaching our planetary boundaries and putting young and future generations in an ecological debt (not to mention economic) that will take lifetimes to get out of. Catalyzing momentum to end fossil fuel subsidies is one step on the path to solutions that I think we can achieve in Rio, as well as putting more public fire and life into combating climate change.
Rio+20 offers a forum for the world to come together and create plans to ease this burden being thrust on young people. We have a chance to up the public pressure on our politicians and make sure that our voices are louder than the pollution industry’s dollars. The power in the streets, as well as what we carry back home, could be the most important outcome. Pushing governments to reach a strong political statement that supports our demands will help the UNFCCC and many international policy processes, but strengthening the fabric of people committed to this endeavor is even more powerful.
TCK: You may have heard that the GCCA and Climate Nexus are working with NGO’s and civil society groups on a competition for Rio+20, Win a Date with History, which is aimed at giving one winner a 2 minute opportunity to address leaders in Rio in June 2012. What advice would you give to those that are considering entering the competition?
ABIGAIL BORAH: As young people, we are saturated with a constant stream of bleak news from across the world. We are exhausted, trying to process hurricanes, poverty, oil spills, genocide, famine, civil war, and climate change. It is easy to choose a path of cynicism or disillusionment. Indeed, we have every right to be angry against the broken system that has brought us here. While anger is important, we cannot let it paralyze us.
My advice is to not abandon the courage you have as a young person to envision a better future. Stop settling for what is deemed “politically feasible,” and start asking what it will take to create solutions that we know are scientifically necessary and morally required. Then go out and create them. I know this type of courage is frightening, especially when those around you are ready to give up. But when you stand up and speak out boldly and bravely, people will listen. The relentless optimism and collaborative spirit of young people is contagious.
TCK: What would you say to world leaders if you were to win the date with history competition?
ABIGAIL BORAH: Another world is possible. In order to create enduring comprehensive solutions, we must set aside partisan politics, economic self-interest, and national sovereignty. Young people are ready to take the lead. But generations before us cannot throw in the towel while they’re still in the ring. We do not have time to delay climate action. You cannot abdicate responsibility to the next politician or to the next generation. We want you to work with us in crafting solutions for our future. Young people want to participate in partnership with our politicians to create a better world. And you’re better off working with us, since we’ve shown we’re more than ready to take you out of power if we’re ignored.
TCK: With 2012 an election year in the United States what are civil society groups working on with regards to domestic politics and what can international groups do to compliment your efforts?
ABIGAIL BORAH: As a young American, I will inherit an unprecedented climate crisis, unmet economic support for the poor and middle class, and a divided political system that obstructs collaborative policy. Right now, the United States Congress is holding the climate negotiations hostage. Constrained by partisan politics, an obstructionist Congress, and fossil fuel corporate interests, the United States continues to perpetuate international gridlock. Back home in the United States, young people are building a movement, coloring outside the lines of what is deemed “politically feasible” and daring to envision solutions for a fair and just future.
In order to transition to a safe, clean, and renewable energy future, we are pushing our politicians to defend a democracy that is of, for, and by the people – not corporations. We are asking our representatives to represent our interests and put the safety of their citizens ahead of fossil fuel interests. I am excited for the United States to be a leader and usher in an era of innovation, green jobs, and renewable energy. Young people are frustrated by the lack of urgent and ambitious action to combat global crises. But we refuse to be silenced by our fears. We are speaking loudly, with our voices, our dollars, and our votes.
La entrada Partner Spotlight: Abigail Rose Borah, SustainUS aparece primero en TckTckTck.