The CSD got over the hump today, as the first day of the last week concluded.  It was my first day at the CSD though, so getting up to speed was the main priority for me.  I’m not sure I could do a complete recap of the day (nor would that be interesting to read), but two events stood out and, without a doubt, will be a lasting image I have of the CSD.

            The afternoon was spent at two side events.  The first was a presentation on World Climate Change put on by the World Economic Commission and the United States Energy Association.  It was in a large conference room inside the UN.  Utilizing PowerPoint slides the presenters discussed how the possible changes in energy consumption and production the world will need to avoid crisis.  They analyzed different market mechanisms to account for externalities and talked about the important role engineers and technicians would have to play in providing nuclear, clean, and renewable energy to various communities.  It was emphasized that there is no “silver bullet” solution, and that the problem required continued research in multiple areas of energy generation and efficiency.  I was left with the feeling that a lot of positive ideas were brought up, but not a lot of positive steps towards progress.

            The second side event was held by several grassroots NGO leaders working in India and Bangladesh.  This presentation was held in a small tent just outside the UN building.  The presenters held flyers and spiral bound documents as they spoke to a much more modest crowd.  They stressed the importance of utilizing animal manure and garbage to fuel a single home’s, taking advantage of the expertise of women and school teachers.  They demonstrated how their villages had created methane capture mechanisms using simple riggings, barrels, and funnels in their gardens and could concretely describe the impact that these techniques have on the poverty stricken communities they serve.  They only had one request for the future- more resources; if they had just a little bit more money, or people, or barrels, or manure, they could do so much more.  No ambiguity there.

            Walking out of the second side event I could not get over the differences of the two presentations.  Everyone recognizes the differences between developing and developed nations.  However, until you hear the discussions back-to-back under the same roof (well… almost the same roof) do you realize just how wide a gap exists.  The Greeks would be hard pressed to come up with a more tragic tale.  The mighty, technologically advanced countries, able to devote enormous resources and point to numerous advanced solutions, cannot definitively decide what actions to take.  Meanwhile, in the tent outside the developing world is using all its will and every one of its stretched resources to provide the most modest improvements to its citizens, lack only support to do be more effective.

            I don’t have the perfect solution to the dilemma yet, I don’t think anyone does.  However, one thing the CSD is providing is the opportunity for a relatively well-off, educated youth from the United States to see a little piece of Washington and a little piece of the Subcontinent all in one afternoon.  In the end, I think the moral of the story is that the tale still has blank pages, and our feet are not in the Styx quite yet….

I have to apologize to the gang for not blogging all week…there is so much to say!!!

My first wonderful experience at CSD was putting together the youth’s energy statement at the plenary with Amanda, Bernice, and Dom! What teamwork!!! I learned so much in those 2 hours from Bernice and Dom. I was also so grateful for their patience in helping and teaching Amanda and me. 

I think we came out with a fantastic statement, that included input from the whole youth caucus, and Amanda made a perfect delivery the next day when we had the opportunity to talk at the resuming energy plenary!!! I was so proud. So shout out to Amanda, Dom, Bernice and the other youth caucus members that helped and contributed!!!

It is so empowering being a youth at the UN and particularly at CSD. As youth, we represent those that will benefit from actions made NOW. I hope that we were able to get that across at CSD…if not, those that are there can continue to stress it in their lobbying efforts. The EU was correct in saying that we, as youth, will be asking in a few years why nations did not take advantage of the opportunity at CSD to affect change NOW. I hope that at that time we will be commending our world leaders for the action they did take to ensure a better future for our generation, or at least lessening the challenges we potentially face with respect to this specific cycle.

I was thrilled to experience some pretty strong policy statements made by the EU during the energy plenary. I realize, as we all do, that soft law is not legally binding. So, at the end of the day, CSD may turn out to be just another global accord that does not turn into a practical reality. But I am so hopeful and optimistic about all the initiatives and research I learned about at CSD from the IPCC report to energy financing and bio-fuel research. I believe that the particular cluster of issues at this CSD is so important and overarching. I can only hope that strong political signals and examples continue to be emphasized in lobbying and ultimately in the outcome document. Good luck with the rest of lobbying…

Shout out to the energy peeps!!! 

Go Youth Caucus!!!

I have to apologize to the gang for not blogging all week…there is so much I have to add...so it will be coming in the next day... 

Friday was my last CSD day since I have two more exams on Monday and I get kicked out of housing at NYU the day after. I will be returning to good ole' Calgary, where there are actually lawns and trees that line the streets, and of course, the Canadian Rocky Mountains! I can't wait to go into the mountains and just hide away for a day or two after spending a year in downtown NYC. Of course there's always the irony that Calgary is the oil capital of Canada... haha. 

 Anyways, CSD was extremely satisfying for me. Sure the plenaries got boring at times after sitting through it for 2-3 hours, but just being there is always interesting (paradox?), for example, flipping through the 7 different language translations, talking to a diverse group of youth delegates (I've met more European youth at CSD then I ever have in my life, and I learned so much about Belgian culture from Joann --> interestingly, my Belgian economics teacher at NYU is a skeptic of the UN and the CSD), and just soaking in the feeling of being in the middle of UN Negotiations. I've never done Model UN before, or had any idea how the UN technically functioned, yet by the third day, I was walking around the UN like I worked there. That was extremely satisfying. 

I also met some great people like the Deputy Secretary for Environment and head of the US delegate, the head of the Canadian delegation, the Swiss delegate (just bumped into him), a leader of the South Korean Ministry of Environment, and various NGO representatives, including two from International Atomic agencies. It's amazing talking to these people because they really augmented my perspectives and opinions of sustainable development, especially on corporate social responsibility since Industrial Development and the Corporate world are my areas. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance effectively lobby because the Business and Industry Cacaus was large, all over the place, and didn't have a single standpoint. Some of them love sustainable development, others hate it. 

Wondering around the UN was fun too. The world press competition photos were amazing. You can see them online, but the ones in the lobby were supersized and definately had more emotional impact than seeing them on a comp screen. Contrary to what I was told, UN food was terrible. My dining hall food at NYU is better, and that's saying a lot. Trust me. But I want to emphasize again that the best part of CSD was chilling with my fellow delegates, who are some of the friendliest people I've met in a long while. Treehuggers are chill, eh? I felt that everyone was really tight with each other, since we were all friendly faces in a mish-mash of high-level diplomats. I especially love the I.D. team, Caitlin, Lindsay, Yochi and Joann, since we spent a lot of time together at I.D. Plenaries and drafting our statements. I'll miss you guys! until the next CSD eh?

 Well if you are passionate about sustainable development, thinking of going to CSD, and is reading this blog, then I definately, definately encourage you to apply to go with SustainUS. You will have a lot of fun, meet a lot of interesting people, and most importantly, learn in an environment that few have the opportunity to.