Make your actions on climate reflect your words | Severn Cullis-Suzuki

TED

Background and 1992 Rio Earth Summit Speech

Severn Cullis-Suzuki spoke at UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 at age 12
Had 5 minutes to address world leaders about environmental crisis
Started environmental club with friends, traveled to international meeting about environment and development
Told adults they had to change their ways
Same year 1,700 scientists issued World Scientists' Warning to Humanity
- Warned humans and natural world on collision course
Compared to Greta Thunberg and peers today - believed decision-makers should act on science and facts
Facts indicated heading for ecological collapse

1992: Climate change identified but not yet felt
2020: Climate change no longer prediction, happening faster than experts predicted
Current work focused on mitigation - limiting how bad it gets
2015 Paris Agreement: World agreed to limit warming to 1.5°C
- Beyond that poses too great threat to human life
- Requires cutting global emissions by half in next 10 years

Delegates did listen to thousands of voices calling for change
Rio declarations were radical, included:
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Set up to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in atmosphere
- Prevent dangerous interference with climate system
154 countries signed legally binding international agreement
23 years before Paris Agreement

Governments focused on growing economy, business interests, winning next election
Crisis in human governance
Political systems make it impossible to act in long-term interests for people and future generations

Momentum exists again with:
- Youth and social justice demands
- Calls for divestment
- Science and solutions available
- Everyone experiencing climate change
Moment parallel to Rio - time to take action

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