Climate Change, Protests, and Youth Movements - ACS Publications

Chapter 7

Climate Change, Protests, and Youth Movements: The Personal Side of Policy Downloaded by UNIV OF FLORIDA on December 11, 2017 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): October 23, 2017 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2017-1247.ch007

Nina D. Diklich* Chemistry Department, Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506, United States *E-mail: [email protected].

With the importance of action on climate change mounting, there has been an increasing urgency in the way people from around the world have responded to implemented policies. From public marches, to works of art, protests, and public education, the responses have been considerably varied. With no formal representation in government, the youth and students of the world turn to alternative forms of expression, pouring their frustrations and aspirations into artwork, organized movements, and protests. Using the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 20th and 21st Conference of Parties (COP) as a backdrop, this collection of personal stories and selected examples aim to shed light on the personal side of policy. The focus is how real people, specifically youth, and various organizations respond to the negotiations via conversations, communication efforts, artistic expressions, or modes of protest.

Introduction With the importance of action on climate change mounting, there has been an increasing urgency in the way people from around the world have responded to implemented policies. From public marches, to works of art, protests, and public education, the responses have been considerably varied. As people fear their cries of injustice are falling on deaf ears, the importance of public movements and demonstrations grows. This is especially true with the youth of the world. With no representation in formal governments and very little input via official channels, © 2017 American Chemical Society Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.

Downloaded by UNIV OF FLORIDA on December 11, 2017 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): October 23, 2017 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2017-1247.ch007

their voice constantly gets lost amid the crowd. These conditions often lead youth and students to alternative forms of expression, pouring their frustrations, aspirations, or dreams into artwork, organized movements, and protests. As a student delegate to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 20th and 21st Conference of Parties (COP), I was constantly trying to find and establish my voice among the masses of people. Regardless of the policy triumphs or disappointments of the day, I found myself finding refuge and strength with the other students and the youth of the world. Behind the rhetoric of the negotiations were real people demanding real change for a real future. This collection of personal stories and selected examples aim to shed light on the personal side of policy by focusing on how real people – specifiacally youth – and various organizations respond to the negotiations via conversations, communication efforts, artistic expressions, or modes of protest.

International Youth Movements Walking into the negotiations for the first time is an overwhelming experience. Swarming with people, both COPs I attended were teeming with a nervous but hopeful buzz. With people gathering from different parts of the globe, there was a sense of oneness and unity despite the difference in customs and languages. This was particularly true with other youth and student groups from around the world. Excited with the prospect of change, other students were receptive and open to extensive discussion and debates. After meeting with students from Scotland, Brazil, the Netherlands, and China, it was apparent how engaged and dedicated the youth were to combatting climate change. The youth today are the first generation to truly feel and experience the adverse impacts of climate change. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon acknowledged that they are “the last generation that can put an end to climate change” (1). Some student groups hosted symposiums or events at the negotiations to draw attention to their experiences and elevate their voices. One particularly moving and eloquent group was the 2050 Climate Group, which I had the chance to attend while at COP21. As Scotland’s Youth Climate Group, they aim to instigate a social movement by empowering young leaders to take action (2). Mostly made up of young professionals, the group believes that education and public engagement are crucial elements in establishing a low-carbon future (2). Interestingly enough, the 2050 Climate Group truly believes in youth being the leaders inspiring and catalyzing transformation change. They began by educating and initiating a few leaders. The plans after that include further investing in those young leaders, but replicating the process with more students. The tiered network grows year by year to produce a full system of young leaders linked across the country. Fundamental to this system is the idea that it’s easier for students to change the world, because they don’t need to maintain an established status quo. By thinking outside the box and creating a new grid of support, the 2050 Climate Group establishes a forward-thinking, working model that emphasizes the role and importance of youth (2). 92 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Another vocal student group throughout the COP was from Brazil. While sitting in another symposium put on by a collection of youth groups, some Brazilian students took the stage with a brazen idea. They claimed many of the youth in their country were not interested in climate change, because the topic was boring. However, through an unorthodox approach, they managed to get the whole room giggling. Their simple solution: make climate change sexy. They had “climate change is sexy” plastered on their presentation, t-shirts, and even lanyards. By getting people talking about the topic, they aimed to educate their peers and demonstrate the importance. Despite the strange approach, the image and the rhetoric are still with me long after the encounter. It was so creative, and they really challenged everyone in the room to approach education about the adverse effects of climate change in an engaging and interesting way. More than anything else, the student and youth groups were welcoming and active at the negotiations. Open to conversations and debates, youth from around the world congregated and formed a unified presence at the conference. Although only two groups were highlighted here, there were many more brought new perspectives to the topics and new ideas as to how to promote education about climate change.

Public Engagement The United Nations negotiations are more than just government officials debating the language of treaties. These negotiations serve as a forum for people from around the world to converge to debate, discuss, and educate. Different from in previous years, COP21 in Paris had a Climate Generation Area, or “Green Zone,” for citizens and organizations to converge and promote learning and dialogue. Many organizations did more than simply give talks, they hosted interactive exhibits and activities. These exhibits challenged the everyday person to reflect on their daily habits and consider changing aspects of their lifestyle. At first glance, public engagement may not seem particularly important or relevant to the rest of this section; however, these simple tasks fully engaged the public and promoted learning and education in a different way. Many of these examples were instrumental in challenging convention and were a vital avenue for real people to interact with climate chang-based organizations. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average annual electricity consumption for a US residential utility customer was 10,932 kWh with an average of 911 kWh per month in 2015 (3). For the average person, cutting back and limiting energy consumption is one of the easiest, most realistic changes. With this in mind, a few different organizations at COP21 in Paris decided to show just how much energy it takes to do everyday things using bicycles. In the Green Zone, there was always a snaking line of people waiting to pedale pour le jus, or pedal for juice (Figure 1). The Juice Energy Bar had stationary bikes hooked up to juicers, so people could see how much energy it required to make a simple glass of juice. After vigorously pedaling for 45 seconds, enough power 93 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


(about 130 watts) was produced to generate a small glass of carrot, apple, and beat juice (4). This was, surprisingly, more difficult than it sounds. Similarly, a group called “Solar Sound Systems” had people pedaling across COP21. There were stations set up across the venue where people could pedal bikes to generate the power for their cell phones (Figure 2). This same group also used pedaling to power a DJ booth (5).

Figure 1. Fellow student delegate from the American Chemical Society pedaling to generate a refreshing glass of juice. Other public movements focused on education via interactive presentations, such as “Fossil of the Day,” put on by the Climate Action Network (CAN). This satirical award is based on the premise that public humiliation is a powerful force in saving the planet. The ceremony takes place at the end of each day with a rowdy group of journalists, fans, and curious passersby crowding around a banner of the Jurassic Park dinosaur with flames coming out of its mouth and a simple podium (Figure 3). To begin the ceremony, the crowd sings the Fossil of the Day theme song, set to the Jurassic theme music. From there, a Master of Ceremonies, dressed in a fossil suit, humorously presents the infamous award – a trophy full of coal – to the “most obstructionist” country of the day; Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United States were frequent recipients. This award ceremony adds excitement and humor to the negotiation process, which can be monotonous and long. It also is a crucial opportunity for activists to bring attention to nations that are thwarting the negotiation process – they can reform lest they risk further embarrassment (6). Although this may seem silly, this display was consistently one of my favorite parts of the negotiations. It not only made me laugh at the sheer outrageousness 94 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


of the whole thing, but it also made me think. The show challenges its audience to demand action from the nations pushing for an unfair agreement. By bringing the media and activists together, Fossil of the Day was a critical opportunity for the public to engage and learn about the negotiations in a fun and unique way. Global companies also had interactive exhibits at the negotiations to educate and engage the public in meaningful conversations about climate change. Google erected an immersive and interactive display of screens in the middle of the Green Zone, or community zone at COP21 (Figure 4). Over the two weeks of negotiations, these screens had about 70 presentations from nonprofits, ranging from rising sea levels by Climate Central, bleaching of coral from Underwater Earth, deforestation from Global Forest Watch, and the current state of climate change by Climate Reality (7).

Figure 2. Conference attendees use the stationary bikes to charge their cellphones.

95 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Each day as I walked through the conference, this was the spot where I was most likely to lose track of time. One of the first days of the negotiations, I happened to be walking by when a group called Climate Central was demonstrating its Mapping Choices interactive tool. Found online at http://sealevel.climatecentral.org, it allows users to view the consequences of both a 2°C and a 4°C increase in temperature in cities around the globe. Images were created by visual artists Nickolay Lamm to help the audience understand what exactly sea level rising looked like in Durban, London, Mumbai, New York City, Rio, Washington D.C., and many more (8). It was completely jarring and shocking to see the Washington Monument and the White House submerged under water. It stuck with me long after the conference and had me going back to their website days, weeks, and months later. It was important for me to visualize how my decisions could affect my future and my country.

Figure 3. Fossil of the Day ceremony at COP20 in Lima, Peru.

Ikea took a different approach by placing ‘interactive exhibits’ along the streets of Paris. During the negotiations, Ikea transformed the Champs Elysees, one of the most famous streets in the world, by placing bikes, swings, and even hamster-type wheels to generate clean energy used to light up the street (Figure 5). Ikea partnered with the Nicolas Hulot Foundation and ADEME to produce 100% renewable energy for illuminating the street by also constructing a wind turbine (9). When in Paris for the negotiations, I was stunned and impressed by how many people I saw running, swinging, and pedaling along the Champs Elysees. The other ACS delegates and I even waited in line for our turn on the 96 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


devices to help generate energy. It was a fun and engaging way to get everyday citizens involved with the negotiations. Interactive exhibits at the conference and around Paris educated the public through action and conversation. These activities, whether they were bike-powered energy, mock awards ceremonies, or digital renderings, challenged the community in unique ways to reconsider their actions. Despite making up very little of the overall conversation, these interactive exhibits represent some of my most vivid memories and important experiences while at the COPs. They made me think about my actions in new ways and enabled me to experience the reality of climate change in an immersive method. Collectively, these interactive methods were one of the vital ways activists and community members came together at the conference to affect change outside of the formal negotiations.

Figure 4. The interactive and imaginative Google Portal at COP21, which hosted dynamic visual presentations about climate change in the Green Zone.



Figure 5. An ACS student delegate runs on an Ikea sponsored wheel to generate energy to power the lights along the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Artistic Expression Around the streets, the metro, and the conference venue, COP21 was bursting with artistic expression. These pictures, sculptures, and interactive installations gave the viewer a glimpse into the feelings, emotions, and opinions of the artist on climate change. More than any other experience at the negotiations, the artwork was extremely moving through its deep personal connections. As I wandered the streets of Paris, and through both COP20 and COP21 venues, the artwork served multiple purposes: the pain and suffering associated with climate change resonated with me. The unique materials challenged me to look at my consumption and waste in a new way. The interactive exhibits allowed me to become a part of the movement in a way I had never experienced. The educational pieces helped me learn and understand climate change around the globe. Collectively, the artistic expression associated with the negotiations showed how real people from around 98 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


the world felt about climate change, and it was a powerful opportunity for artists to share these feelings on a large scale. The most whimsical art around the conference utilized unique materials to construct stunning and unexpected displays (Figure 6). Artists used bottle caps like those found on water bottles and milk jugs to create a wall full of blooming flowers and climbing greenery. Similarly, another artist used the bottom of soda bottles to create poppies blossoming up from the ground of the conference. More than just being beautiful, art using non-traditional materials challenged the viewer to reconsider the definition of waste.

Figure 6. Both from COP21 in Paris, France, these pieces of art displayed non-traditional materials to challenge the definition of waste. Other art at the conference focused on explicitly educating viewers through humor and shock. One artist used digital editing to create images of himself learning easy ways to be more sustainable, such as eating local food, turning off lights when not in use, and turning off the tap while brushing his teeth. By using images of him teaching himself better habits, the artist garnered grins from his audience. However, it was through this humor that the artist was able to make a lasting impression on the viewer and encourage altered greener behaviors. A different artist took an altered approach to educating his viewers by trying to accurately depict how climate change affected those around the world differently. By showing famine, flooding, droughts, deforestation, and other relevant climate change topics, the artist allowed viewers an intimate look at how climate change can destroy lives. It is important for many living in developed nations to witness the devastation that climate change can bring to many living around the world. When international travel to remote locations is not possible, photography provides that essential glimpse into the reality of climate change. 99 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Various artists created interactive art installations in the conference Green Zone. After walking through security, the first thing I would see as I walked in each morning was a tree constructed out of plywood. Conference-goers posted small sheets on the tree, which looked somewhat like leaves (Figure 7, left). On these pieces of paper, people wrote their hopes for the conference, their fears for the future, famous quotes, or their feelings about the negotiations. What was truly remarkable about this installation was the community it fostered within the building. People would comment on others’ notes with words of encouragement or agreement, which brought the tree to life in its own way. A similar art installation also in the Green Zone had people writing their hopes for the negotiations on ribbons, which were then tied to a smaller tree (Figure 7, right). With similar sentiments, these exhibits brought people together regardless of language or culture to voice their thoughts and emotions surrounding climate change.

Figure 7. Interactive art installations from COP21 in Paris, France. Despite the many pieces of art I was able to see at both COP20 and COP21, one piece stands out more than any other. At COP20 in Lima, Peru, there was a massive white wall in the center of the venue. One day, we arrived and someone was standing out in the beating sun painting a mural in black (Figure 8, left). The next day, markers were left out for the conference goers to write their hopes for the future, thoughts on climate change, or other relevant emotions. Each day our group passed it on our way out, thinking about what to write. On our final way out of the negotiations, we stopped and took turns writing our hopes on the board (Figure 8, right). It was a moment of serious reflection for me and the rest of the group as we tried to condense all of our feelings into few words. I will never forget Dr. Peterman, one of the mentors for the ACS student project, who walked up to the board and wrote something along the lines of “I’m sorry, Opa.” Dr. Peterman used the board as an open apology to his grandchildren, 100 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


an open apology for the mistakes of his generation that will impact theirs. I found myself tearing up in that moment as I found myself thinking of my actions and how my decisions will influence the world of my children, grandchildren, and others. This is the power of art on the public. It has the opportunity to elicit strong emotional connections with the viewers and alter their thinking and even their behavior. It is more than just one person’s feelings. It is a connection between people and serves as the common language between those fighting against climate change.

Figure 8. An interactive art installation located at the heart of the venue at COP20 in Lima, Peru.

Protests Throughout the negotiations, protests were some of the most visible and emotionally charged methods for everyday people to communicate their frustrations and aspirations. The classic maxim there is strength is numbers is especially true with climate change protests. Between the two COPs I attended, there were more than just organized marches, there were also protests that mobilized in real time as people reacted to the decisions being made around them. During COP20, the Global Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Institute hosted a side-event initially entitled “Why Divest from Fossil Fuels When a Future with Low Emission Fossil Energy Use is Already a Reality?” The event featured speakers from Shell, the World Coal Association, and Lord Nicholas Stern; 101 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


additionally, it was hosted by the International Emissions Trading Association and sponsored by Chevron. Activists around the conference and around the globe were outraged that fossil fuel companies and lobbyists were not only able to attend the negotiations, but also able to give presentations. NGOs, environmental activist groups, and representatives from indigenous communities in Colombia, Peru, and Canada spoke out against the event and called for these lobbyists to be banned from UN Climate Talks. Youth activists also stormed in and quickly overwhelmed the small event room in protest (10). In a more organized event, approximately 15,000 people flooded the streets of Lima for the People’s Climate March – the largest climate march ever in South America (11). Climate activists protested nuclear plants, pollution, mining, deforestation, and a whole host of other issues. They collectively demanded 100% clean energy by 2050 and that people be put before profits (12). A similar march was planned for the Paris negotiations, however the terrorist attacks in November of 2015 forced the French government to cancel the march in order to ensure public safety. With all public marches banned, people turned to shoes in order to leave a powerful message. Instead of literally walking the streets, activists simply left their shoes in the Place de la République in silent demonstration, supporting action against climate change. Collectively, 11,000 pairs of shoes were left on the street, with pairs being left by Pope Francis, UN secretary general Ban-Ki Moon, and everyday people. Although this silent march was not the original plan, it was a deeply symbolic gesture showing the commitment of the French people as well as the world on climate issues. The shoes also served as symbols of sustainable development, suggesting that people should walk more and use cars less (13). As it took place the Sunday before the negotiations started, its peaceful yet determined nature set the tone for the conference. At the end of the conference, the French government lifted the ban on public demonstrations. Thousands of people flooded the streets of Paris, many wearing red, carrying red cloth, toting red umbrellas or red signs, symbolically becoming the “red line” they want negotiators not to cross (14, 15). Approximately 10,000 people participated in the rally at the Arc de Triomphe, peacefully coming together to demand action on climate change instead of just rhetoric (16). These two demonstrations served as bookends to the COP21 Paris negotiations. The silent march had people around the world determinedly focused on reaching a fair and legally binding agreement. The red line protest was a finishing line of sorts, with protestors urging nations not to push the globe past the edge. Through all of my experiences at the negotiations, I was most surprised to find that most protests were small and seemed to pop up out of nowhere. At both COP20 and COP21, I would be walking through common spaces to find people with bright signs, cultural displays from indigenous peoples groups, and choruses of chants demanding climate justice. These protests seemed to rise up out of the masses of people, weaving in and out of my daily experiences. Even though I was not involved in the organization or even the execution of the protests, I became a part of the movement by simply being a listener. By hearing the message and taking it to heart, the other observers and I became the support network around the protests by changing our future actions. These protests also showed the humanity 102 Peterman et al.; Climate Change Literacy and Education The Science and Perspectives from the Global Stage Volume 1 ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.

of the throngs of people at the conferences. Every time, it was moving to hear someone in their own voice and in their own words demand justice or promote change. It was one of the few avenues for people without an official venue, stage, or space to speak their mind and demand better from the leaders of the world.


Conclusion With the focus on policy and rhetoric surrounding climate change, it is often easy to forget about the real people who are dealing with the effects daily. With many not having official venues to express their opinions and exact change, public movements are a crucial element in how real people interact with and change their own world. At the United Nations negotiations, these public movements often took center stage as activists demanded their voices be heard. Youth movements fostered a welcoming community, offering a space for debate and conversation via events and social media. Interactive exhibits engaged people through movement, fully immersing them in the reality of climate change. Art captured the raw emotions of activists around the world by exploring the themes of climate change in a unique and thought-provoking way. Protests brought public awareness to climate change by demanding change and action. Together, these glimpses of humanity provided the framework from which the conference thrived. By giving a voice to the people of the world, public movements played a critical role in shaping negotiations and inspiring change.

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Climate Change, Protests, and Youth Movements - ACS Publications

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