In a last-minute effort to mobilize a public mandate for establishing a binding agreement at the impending COP15 conference, the Copenhagen Climate Council (CCC) launched a call for action against climate change towards citizens across the globe. The social media initiative, i speak earth, is CCC’s appeal to act against global warming through social media by inviting their friends and family to do the same.
Via www.ispeakearth.com, the central idea of the i speak earth initiative features an animated video by Cate Blanchett. The famous environmental advocate and actress warns viewers of the hazardous, irreversible changes that threaten the planet if no action is taken at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
A simple declaration reflecting a strong concern for the Earth’s future, i speak earth is an attempt to raise a single, global voice in the form of online global democracy that will reach business and political leaders worldwide, with the hope of triggering the necessary action.
Sharing the consequences and risks involved with unstable climatic conditions through critical messages and videos, i speak earth appeals to the people of the world to influence the negotiations at the conference through signing the PlanetCall Declaration, updating their Facebook statuses, sending emails, instant messages or tweets, in a way that would the echo a renewed focus towards Earth protection efforts.
According to the Chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council, Tim Flannery, the conference is aimed at the future of our earth and sustainable action plans need to be drawn for achieving reduction in the level of carbon emissions, rising sea levels and melting icecaps. Flannery opined that it is time that leaders and businesses around the world unite to create a solution for these concerns.
COP15, termed as the century’s most important meeting, will define the role businesses and governments will need to play to ensure that world economies are sustainable. i speak earth is regard to possess the ability to unite citizens worldwide, demystify global climate policies, and help influence the change necessary to arrest the effects of global warming.
As climate change affects all citizens on the Earth, a suitable replacement needs to be drawn for the Kyoto Protocol ahead of its expiry in 2102. The Protocol is seen inadequate in light of the massive carbon reduction requirements in the next 10-15 years.
If a plan of action to combat global warming is not formulated at the COP15, an opportunity to address the concerns of the planet will be lost, opening doors to uncertainty, risks and destruction.