by Cat Boyle

Cat Boyle was one of nine UU representatives, and one of two UUYACJ members who went to Marrakech, Morocco as an observer of the UN climate change summit COP22. World leaders are convened Nov 7-18, 2016 to discuss the implementation of the Paris agreement, which aims to keep global climate change below an average of 1.5 degrees Celcius. Cat has written several updates and reflections, available here, here and here. More info  about UUs at COP22 can be found here.

During COP22, youth organization Engajamundo  put on a powerful performance on the effect of climate change on the planet’s species. In a half circle, ten species including blue whales, penguins, turtles and polar bears were represented in a black and white picture with their predicted date of extinction on them. Beside these were paper candles with paper fire. In the middle of this graveyard sat a singular figure, a girl dressed in black. As the species’ probable date of destruction were announced with the most likely means, youth in black clothing knocked the candles over and placed roses on the grave. By the end, roses covered all graves except for the girl’s which said 20 ??. This was a striking statement about who will truly feel the brute of climate change: our descendants.

Egamundo ended the performance with a song: “I hear the voice of my great granddaughter saying, Climate Justice now!”

Our great-grandchildren will surely ask the same if the US doesn’t honor its commitment to the Paris Agreement.

Eguamondo is based in Brazil. For more information, please visit engajamundo.org