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by Nina Somera, Isis International

[Editor’s Note: A much briefer version of this article appeared in Arrows for Change, Vol. 15, No.1. Meanwhile, a more comprehensive version will appear in the forthcoming issue of Bank Watch]

“Population trends are intimately connected to the growth of GHGs that cause climate change.”

This was one of the overarching statements made by some reproductive health groups that participated in the recently concluded Conference of Parties (COP) 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The statement may not be sweeping for it builds on the national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) of some 41 least developing countries. Six of these explicitly cited population control as a priority measure that must be funded, along with many others that can build a community’s resilience to drastic changes in temperature and sea level. But the statement was also largely unnoticed given the intense debates on the very basic issues of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and historical responsibilities.

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By Nina Somera, Isis International

As developed countries are hardly budging on money matters, both for the climate change reparations and adaptation, the identities of scores of individuals and families are dashed by the stronger waves. Every year, the seas inch closer to their long-time homes while much of their neighbourhood already succumbed to the waters.

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As delivered by Ulrike Rohr on 18 December 2009

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues and friends inside and outside Bella Center.

It is our specific role as Women and Gender civil society organizations to work towards the integration of gender perspectives in all aspects of climate policy.

We started from zero: In the past, the gender dimension was completely absent. But as we strengthen our engagement with the UNFCCC, encouraged by the support from some governments, several references to women and to gender have been incorporated in the draft text.

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By Nina Somera, Isis International

Copenhagen, Denmark (14 December 2009) - The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has just announced that less and less participants from civil society organisations (CSOs) will be allowed entrance at the Bella Centre in the coming days as heads of State arrive.

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The lives of millions of people are at stake, entire nations are expected to disappear under the ocean, and yet world leaders in Copenhagen failed to commit to necessary measures for an equitable, just and legally binding post-Kyoto agreement to tackle climate change.

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As delivered by Ulrike Rohr on 18 December 2009

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues and friends inside and outside Bella Center.

It is our specific role as Women and Gender civil society organizations to work towards the integration of gender perspectives in all aspects of climate policy.

We started from zero: In the past, the gender dimension was completely absent. But as we strengthen our engagement with the UNFCCC, encouraged by the support from some governments, several references to women and to gender have been incorporated in the draft text.