Hundreds protest inside UN climate talks to stand by Africa and small islands

Pascoe Sabido

10 December 2011

The UN's blue-uniformed security guards were not quite sure what to do with themselves. Yesterday, gathered in the corridors of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa, hundreds of protestors voiced their support for Africa and the world's small-island states, and demanded action to from those inside the negotiating rooms to stop climate change.

Protestors - and a throng of press - were joined by the Environment Minister of the Maldives, Mohamed Aslam, Friends of the Earth South Africa's Bobby Peek and Greenpeace International's Kumi Naidoo. DIY placards read 'Stand With Africa' and the crowds called for rich, industrialised countries to listen to the people, not polluters. The Maldives' Minister made it clear: this was about survival. Unless bold action is taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions, his island, like many others, will be lost to rising sea levels.  

The protestors actually delivered the Minister to the door of the negotiations, sending their message to those discussing the future fate of the planet. The peaceful demonstrations even broke into song, with traditional African melodies ringing through the hall. It was intended to encourage those inside to stand strong and not to be bribed or bullied. The decision made here will impact billions across the world.

Governments must be ambitious if they are going to tackle climate change, something which has so far been missing in these negotiations. That was why despite the risk of expulsion or even arrest and deportation (as happened to some Greenpeace activists earlier in the week), hundreds turned out to protest. There is a genuine feeling that the negotiations could deliver empty shells for an outcome: a framework to cut emissions without ambitious targets and a proper climate fund to help developing countries. Friends of the Earth International's new one-page briefing shows that developing countries are already doing more than their fair share of emissions cuts.

The halls of the ICC have been left ringing with the calls of protestors, supported and cheered on by delegates and staff lining the stairs and surrounding balconies. The people have spoken, not just inside this hall - or even just outside at Speakers' Corner, where Bobby Peek took the kids to camp at the all-night vigil. Across the world, people are calling for an outcome that saves our planet and its people. Its time our politicians listened.