The Importance of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21)
Starting November 30, 2015 France will host over 50,000 participants including 25,000 official delegates from government, NGO's, and Civil Society, for the most important UN Climate negotiations in their 20 years history. The aim of the COP21 will be to achieve the first ever legally binding universal agreement on climate, with the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
Although this goal is important, it is our belief that we must look beyond emissions reduction and push policymakers to make carbon sequestration via regenerative organic agriculture a key tool for reversing global warming. If previous negotiations are any indication, then we can assume that it will not go as planned and the focus will be on emissions reduction alone (while necessary, it is simply not enough). We believe we need true, 100% climate solutions.
"The current pledges under the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol are clearly not enough to guarantee that the temperature will stay below 2 degrees Celsius and there is an ever increasing gap between the action of countries and what the science tells us." - Christiana Figueres
This is why, in addition to the COP21 negotiations and UN Forums, RI will be participating in and hosting a variety of alternative events, workshops, and demonstrations in order to educate the public and policymakers about the power of regenerative organic agriculture to cool the planet and feed the world.
Why Regenerative Organic Agriculture?
"If governments won’t solve the climate, hunger, health, and democracy crises, then the people will." - Dr. Vandana Shiva
To date, global climate crisis conversations have focused on solely emissions reduction. While necessary, reducing fossil fuel emissions alone is simply inadequate - it is a 50% solution. Even if we were to cut all human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions today, the globe would continue to warm for decades or even centuries to come. However, there is hope. There is growing scientific evidence that regenerative organic agriculture can reverse global warming by drawing carbon underground through the natural process of photosynthesis, while at the same time delivering other essential ecological, economic, and health benefits.
Given that the industrial food and farming system as a whole is the number one cause of GHG emissions, climate activists need to start thinking of themselves as food, farming and natural health activists as well.
Let's change the global climate crisis conversation. The technology is available to everyone - it is up to us to mobilize in time.
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Events Calendar
Decentralized Climate March
Date: November 29, 2015
Location: Paris, France
About: All over the world, we will show our governments that civil society is mobilized to make sure that fair and effective measures will be taken to face global warming. In all the capitals of the world, marches are being organized for Saturday 28th or Sunday 29th of November. In Paris, the demonstration will take place on November 29th. For more information on the march arrangements, themes and logistical details, you can go to the Coalition Climat 21 website and subscribe to receive its newsletters.
Transformational Media Summit
Date: November 30 - December 1, 2015
Location: Place to B, 5 rue de Dunkerque, Paris
About: The Transformational Media Summit brings together media professionals across the world who are passionate about creating media that informs, educates and entertains at the same time as serving humanity's needs.
21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21)
Date: Nov 30 - Dec 11, 2015
Location: Paris Le Bourget
About: The 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11) will be a crucial conference, as it needs to achieve a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. This space is strictly reserved for persons accredited by the UNFCCC Secretariat.
Climate Generations Area
Date: Nov 30 - Dec 11, 2015
Location: Next to Paris Le Bourget
About: This space is dedicated to projects proposed by civil society which are tied in with the fight against climate change. It is open to the general public.
Place to B
Date: November 30 - December 11, 2015
Location: St Christopher's Inn Gare Du Nord - 5 rue de Dunkerque, Paris
About: Place to B is an ideal coworking space that will welcome journalists, bloggers, graphic designers, illustrators, web developers, photographers, video makers, comedians, writers etc. A themed program of events will include meetings, press conferences, daily briefings, discussions with experts and public figures and the delivery of content proposed by Place to B’s COPilots. But also moments of conviviality, various workshops, film screenings, concerts… all open to public.
Farmer's Day at UNFCCC COP21
Date: Dec 2, 2015
Location: Paris Le Bourget
About: Farmer's Day is a thematic day held at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Oceans Day at UNFCCC COP21
Date: Dec 4, 2015
Location: Paris Le Bourget
About: Oceans Day aims to advance the oceans and climate change agenda at COP 21 and beyond. It is expected to result in a strategic action plan for the oceans and climate change agenda for the next five years.
If Not Us Then Who – Paris
Date: Dec 3-10, 2015
Location: Point Éphémère, Paris, France
About: After 14 months and 14 events in 4 countries the If Not Us Then Who? global roadshow culminates in Paris for an 8 day exhibition at Point Ephemere. Schedule TBC.
Climate Summit for Local Leaders
Date: Dec 4, 2015
Location: Paris City Hall, Place de l'Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France
About: Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of the City of Paris andMichael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change – in partnership with the global networks of cities and local governments for climate action – will co-host the Climate Summit for Local Leaders – the largest global convening of mayors, governors and local leaders focused on climate change.
Pathway to Paris
Date: December 4, 2015
Location: Le Trianon, Paris FR
About: Pathway to Paris is an initiative in partnership with 350.org that brings together musicians, artists, activists, academics, politicians and innovators to participate in a series of events and dialogues to help raise consciousness around the urgency of climate action and the importance of establishing an ambitious, global, legally binding agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December 2015. Musicians and speakers include (among others still to be announced): Bill Mckibben • Naomi Klein • Vandana Shiva • Patti Smith • Thom Yorke • Flea • Dhani Harrison • Tenzin Choegyal • Jesse Paris Smith • Rebecca Foon. Buy tickets >
International Rights of Nature Tribunal
Date: December 4-5, 2015
Location: Maison des Métallos, 94 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France
About: The Tribunal is a unique, citizen-created initiative. It gives people from all around the world the opportunity to testify publicly as to the destruction of the Earth — destruction that governments and corporations not only allow, but in some cases encourage. It is open to the public, but registration is required because space is limited.
World Soil Day
Date: December 5, 2015
Location: Global
About: World Soil day celebrates the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to the human commonwealth through its contribution to food, water and energy security and as a mitigator of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is celebrated particularly by the global community of 60 000 soil scientists charged with responsibility of generating and communicating soil knowledge for the common good.
Climate and Health Summit
Date: December 5, 2015
Location: Marriott Rive Gauche Conference Centre & Hotel17 Boulevard Saint-Jacques75014 Paris, France
About: The conference theme is Engaging with Health in a Post-2015 World, and it will bring together health professionals, policymakers, negotiators, academics and other members of the international community to find and develop answers to the overarching question, "How can public health change the conversation on climate change in a post-2015 world?"
Citizen Climate Summit
Date: December 5-6, 2015
Location: Montreuil
About: The Summit will include: The Climate Forum, where there will be the opportunity to take part in hundreds of discussions, workshops, and meetings. If you want to organize a discussion or a workshop, the Coalition's website enables you to register it and present it from mid-September onwards. Registration will be closed by the end of October. In parallel with the Climate Forum, a "Global Village of Alternatives” will introduce participants to concrete alternative solutions both local and international for climate and social justice.
Global Landscapes Forum
Date: December 5-6, 2015
Location: Palais des Congrais
About: As world leaders convene in 2015 to agree on Sustainable Development Goals and a new climate deal, the Forum will leverage this historic opportunity to shape the world’s development agenda for decades to come. Over the past two years, the Global Landscapes Forum has evolved into the world’s leading platform for discussing land-use issues. In Paris, the Forum will bring together 2,500 stakeholders from across sectors, including forestry, agriculture, water, energy, law and finance.
Human Energy
Date: December 5-12, 2015
Location: Eiffel Tower
About: The largest participatory art installation ever made: Accelerate the Climate Revolution by lighting up the Eiffel tower during #COP21
#IamENERGY
World Climate Summit
Date: December 6, 2015
Location: Paris, France
About: Since 2010, the World Climate Summit has been the original global business, finance and government forum in parallel to the annual United Nations climate change Conference of the Parties (COP). Registration to the World Climate Summit 2015 is by invitation only. If you have not been invited you can register and purchase a ticket.
Climate Protest “Bandh”
Date: December 7-8, 2015
Location: The streets of Paris, France & the world
About: Campaigns Against Climate Change is organizing a campaign for students in Paris to occupy their universities on Monday 7 December, and on Tuesday to dance out of the colleges onto the streets, asking the public to join them. In Bangladesh and India, they have a form of protest called a bandh where the people stop the city for a day. They stop work, they close the shops, they stop the universities and schools, they stop the buses and trains and cars. The goal is for the people of Paris to take over their own city, for the sake of the planet.
Sustainable Innovation Forum
Date: December 7-8, 2015
Location: Stade de France, Paris, France
About: The Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF15) is the largest business focused event held during the annual Conference of Parties (COP), taking place this year on 7- 8 December at COP21 in Paris. Building on year-round work from Climate Action and the UN Environment Programme, the 2 day Forum will convene cross-sector participants from business, Government, finance, UN, NGO and civil society to create an unparalleled opportunity to bolster business innovation and bring scale to the emerging green economy.
Earth To Paris — Le Hub
Date: December 7-8, 2015
Location: TBC
About: Experts, advocates, CEOs, and other leaders will discuss creative and impactful solutions to climate change. Through digital communications, people, and groups across the globe will be able to join the event, share ideas, and raise their voices for climate action. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the important conference taking place in Paris and to inspire bold, meaningful action for people and the planet.
Caring for Climate Business Forum at COP 21
Date: December 7-8, 2015
Location: Climate Generations Space (Day 1) & UN Blue Zone (Day 2), Paris-Le Bourget
About: The third annual Caring for Climate Business Forum will bring stakeholders from the business and investment community together with representatives from the UN, civil society and governments to focus on driving action on climate change.
Climate Action Zone
Date: December 7-11, 2015
Location: Cent Quatre Paris
About: At the ZAC, you’ll be able to find out about the causes and effects of the climate crisis, the U.N. process, be able to discuss themes tied to climate disruption and also create, share and organise. You’ll have the opportunity to meet all kinds of people in this artistic space: from activists coming from the four corners of the world to Paris area schoolchildren. The ZAC will also be a place for analysis of the COP21 negotiations taking place each evening, organised by Coalition Climat 21.
Mass Action in Paris
Date: December 12, 2015
Location: Paris, France
About: On the 12th of December, there will be a gathering for a mass action. It is time we write a different story: we do not want to remain mere spectators of the end of the UN conference, patiently awaiting the verdict of the negotiations. We will show that the movement for climate justice possesses the energy and determination to impose its solutions, and to grow even stronger in 2016!
Resources
Coalition 21 Climat - PDF with additional details on citizen mobilization efforts.