Good evening to all of you. If you waiting for a green freak to walk out, I hope I did not disappoint you. I try to be one as best as I can 🙂

Have you ever wondered how it would feel for you to hear that your house is drowning? Have you ever thought what you would be forced to do if the sea around us started rising, and we were stuck in an island with nowhere to go, and the only thing we could do were just watch the water as it kept rising? What will you do? What will you hold onto?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the water that kept gushing out of those taps that we most of the time forget to close after filling out bottles, or of course stomachs when thirsty, had no water coming out of them? have you ever wondered how it would be if the only water available was the water in bottled form? What if you were to suffer of thirst just because you could not afford a bottle of water?

These are just possibilities that we talk of, (at least for us), but around the world there are those who suffer due to these hypothetical situations.

The realisation hit me only in 2009 that the impact on people’s life is greater than we feel it in our day to day events. I was at the 15TH Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC, chilling out, when one of my friends from Maldives walked in crying. If you recall the summit held in Copenhagen it was one with a huge crowd and my friend always gets confused for a 15 year old. So for a moment I thought someone might have done something to scare her, or tried to kidnap her or something. Yes call me stupid, I come up with weird assumptions which turn out to be true at times. So I ask her for the cause of her distress, and she goes “our countries is not in the globe” I was like “eer”
For a moment I was confused. Thought she was talking out of trauma or something. To realise a few seconds later that she was referring to this huge globe that they had placed within the conference premises and people use to pass on a daily basis.

She was crying because Maldives was missing in that globe. For a moment I thought it was hilarious. I mean what’s the big deal right? It would have been a small dot somewhere in that globe, may be they just forgot to put it up there. Who cares?! But then it struck me only at that moment that it was not a thing I could respond to with a “who cares!”

For me, it was something that might seem funny. Sure, the dot it missing in the globe, but Sri Lanka is still on the globe! I mean “ the” globe.

But for those who are facing peril, on a daily basis, it is not a joke. For them it was a matter of personal attachment. Their country is drowning, and will eventually be NOT on that globe, if some substantial measures were to be taken. And the little dot that was missing on that globe, well it did mean something more than a dot to them.

So my friend Shehan, who was wiser than I, took a marker, went and put the dot on that globe, where Aisha pointed out her country should be. And that made her happy. But the question is, can we solve the real problem, the problems of all who suffer of similar plight, not their country being missed on a globe placed within a hall full of conference participants, but suffering of real threat to lose their homes, by just merely putting a dot on a globe. I would have loved to have told that it was a task easy as that. But as you and I both know it is not.

As stupid as that story might seem to some of you seated in this room, may be you think it’s one of those stories one could put up as examples of dramatic effect. But it got me thinking. It was my first summit, I was clueless what was happening around me, and people were running all over, going to plenary discussions, following negotiations, and freezing in the cold winter of Copenhagen. Between the screams of protestors on whom dogs were unleashed, and vigils at 2 am in the morning while police cars petrolled around the city trying to stop any unrest that might pop up, and the endless blaming of the negotiators, it occurred to me that youth have a huge role to play in this change of thinking. It dawned on me that youth can actually be the solution if mobilised in the correct way.

So how can this be achieved? How can youth be the solution to the problems that surround us on climate change?

It is common knowledge that youth are those who lead the way in a revolution. If big change is to come, then youth cannot be missing there. Ok let’s see some of those photographs behind me. What do they make you think of?

The protests by the university students in the country? If they do make you think of such, then may be the point that I am trying to make here might come through. Think of those protests. Think of whether they are efficient or not. If they are in which way? And if they are not, why?

As you would have noticed through the images, there is a lot of demonstrations and actions that are organised by youth across the world. What is the objective? To spread the world. Call for action. The same friend of mine, who went and drew the famous “dot” on the globe, told me a few days back, that he does not feel the energy if there is no walk organised, a demonstration mobilised to spread the world on climate change. I was glad about his enthusiasm. But I asked him, “but don’t you think that finding solutions go beyond just a walk?”

A walk reminds you of what is happening around us. A board held, a chant that is heard will make the others realise that they need to wake up. So yes, demonstrations play a key role in getting those who are deaf to what is happening around them to realise that YES there needs to be something done, “oh yea, climate change is happening”, “ah these floods, yes yes, i see now, climate change” but if that person stops there, it does not create an impact. The message needs to be sustained.

To create a sustainable movement, there needs to be another step. This is where my question on arriving on this stage comes in. The image of a green freak, as people tend to call those who call for action. Well the green freaks are not found as you always find them in movies, holding a banner but you find them in different kinds. What is my point here?

The point is that from demonstrations there needs to be a link to the policy implementation. It does not make any difference if we are just blaming those in power if we are just blaming. Why not youth be those who make suggestions that are worthy of being implemented. How about we approach those negotiators apart from with a banner in hand, which might of course block us from getting anywhere within 100 meters from where the negotiators aer. Why not an approach of moderation, where we criticise while discussing with those adults who have the power to make a change. Surprisingly, at times convincing can go a long way. So one solution that youth can be is in the encouraging of policy decisions. Through voicing out in our energetic ways, as well as reaching out to through reason and logical power.

Above most Article 6 of the convention on climate change speaks of education and creating awareness. In 2010 the Youth NGOs present were able to make huge change in the field of policy in this regard. This highlights that even as youth we have the power to create changes in the policy decisions that are being made.

However in the climate discussions that are pursued as we are here, it has been told that there might be not a binding treaty that will come out of the climate negotiations that will be held at the end of the year. This being the current situation, the importance of grass root action comes up.
If those in power do not have the power to do what needs to be done, why not youth take the initiative? Why not be the leaders of changing the mindset of populations to mitigate the emissions. Why not youth as pioneers for projects that would help ourselves in saving out homes and those around us from the effects of climate change.

How do we do this?

There is no one way. Not because there is NO WAY. Just because it can be done in a million ways. What you need to do is, see climate change in your own perception. What is it that you like doing most? See how you can contribute to solve the situation through your own contribution. If you are a student of law, then look into those legislations. If you are a blogger, a journalist, then think of how you can spread the word. If you are an artist, see how you can spread the message.

In short think of those people who are being made climate refugees, rendered homeless, and suffer of hunger. Think of ourselves who might be in the same plight if we ourselves might not take worthy action.

Think of it in terms of human rights. And you will see that being a solution is not far a away. Start by changing individually and inspire others to change communally.

Because though for us, still stuck in a home where we have no way to run when the sea levels keep rising might be an imagery for some it is a reality.

To close my speech I would like to show a small video that was created by the youth movement who were present in Cancun, Mexico at the UNFCCC conference of parties. “Be the change!”

Thank you

Today seems to be a day on my laptop. The blog posts might come in at the most random moments. Getting out of bed before 7am seems to have that effect on me. Then again, these days thanks to reverse insomnia (which I think is a possible medical condition) I tend to wake up early in the morning around 2 am and then keep my useless and unproductive self in bed till I wishfully doze off again around 5 am. Yep, not the most envied life to be living.

Teo tells me in his morning mail that he has had only 3 hours of sleep and that his face looks like a cross between one, that would be licked by a puppy near the super market of a 59 year old woman’s who is having a bad day. For some reason, I am most certain the cross between the two would not have caused any negative effects. His face seems cute enough to put up with any bad humour for some reason. Funny that some people look good even in their worse moments. Lucky them. On another thought, he seems to like dogs, something I desire of late with dog haters in abundance around me. Yeah, in a land of cat lovers, I feel isolated. Nothing against you cats, just that sometimes, a cute thing that wags its tail is more desirable than a ball of fur that raises its fur to the edge of possibility on seeing me.

I think cats hate me. Harshu’s ginger cat seems to think he/she is above my acquaintance, preferring to give me a look of “who the hell are you?” every time I walk into that house and prancing around with that silent communication “you are not worthy of being allowed to touch me”. Harshu seems to love the cat though, or cats rather. I prefer his “i just got off a fight” cat. He constantly has one eye which is scratched off, and gives me this “ain’t I hot?” look. Guess I always had a thing for bad boys. (No I do have anything for cats! Yes I AM sure of it!)

“Are you going somewhere?”sister dearest interrupts my chain of thoughts on cats. I am not quite sure if I am required to answer this question as she is just out of bed and seems to be still walking in her sleep. Since her walk from her room to mine, and sleeping in my bed at 9 am till noon. Doubtful if she sleep walks or if she prefers my bed to hers. I think I just found a guinea pig for my nest lab research on sleep walking.

I tell mum that sister dearest probably is sleep walking, to be answered “well it will be good if she just sleep walks, rather than hearing she throttled someone’s neck in her sleep”

I consider mum’s statement for a moment, and realise, that it would not be a possibility. My sister would have less probability of squeezing someone’s neck in my household. As for me? Well that would be a tale to be told on a different blog post. But for conclusion sake, let me just say, I am pretty sure around whose neck I would be wrapping my fingers if I were ever to sleep walk, or sleep walk while being prone to turn on my violent switch.

Boohahaha! (yes I know it is day time, but then who cares?)

I was on one of my rants to my best friend when she suggested that I type out this post. So not refusing her on the day before the new year,( that all seem to celebrate with enthusiasm, definitely with more enthusiasm than I would hold,) I embark on the allocated task.

To commence I think I need to state that I am no expert on the matter, I have been dating the wrong men all my life, and still am on a glorious task of accomplishing a chain of dating wrong men. I have stupidly let the correct men walk out of my life, they might have not been the Mr. Right but they were “somewhat” right, and were among the very few who did actually proceed to treat me in a humane sense. As all be, I was also a fool and then realised that buffoonery on my part only months after I let go of the man, dated some fool who would hurt me and then would lament the rejection of a nice man’s proposal in marriage.

Anyways quest for Mr. Right:
Is there a Mr. Right? Well this is a question I ask myself most of the time. Correction, let me say all the time. I am quite not sure about the answer to this though. But I have to say that there are definitely the Mr. Wrongs. They are all over. They come in all forms. It can be in that “I am so needy, I need you” to the “I would take care of you, I want you in my life” form. But the worse I think being the kind who want to date you later tell they have been with “men” and then say they “don’t mind men” and then say “ I cheated on you with a man!” Yes having been through all that I am sure you will forgive me for not believing that I do not believe in a Mr. Right.

When I was in my teens I had the most nerdiest Mr. Right in my head, he was to be tall, thin and all musical. And he was to be able to sing, play the guitar and an avid reader. Wonder from where all that came into my head, and a few years down the line I ended up dating someone completely the opposite. He was not at all thin, was the kind to prefer a rugby ball to a book, well he did like music, but failed to play the guitar or to sing. Then again, he did appreciate singing and would bug the hell out of me to sing him songs, till after a certain point I started hating my own voice. What was wrong with him? I do not know. May be it was a matter of choice in life. At 17 we do not know what we do want in life, and I think I broke his heart pretty bad unable to deal with his possessiveness. I always had the tendency to do the exact thing that people would doubt I would do. See if one wonders if I would cheat on him, then I do end up cheating on him. Cannot help, I ain’t perfect. Just an explanation to my weird behaviour.

So yes I do not believe there is a Mr. Right image left in most of us. Many ask me what type of men I would fall for. This question always baffles me as I am clueless as to its answer. But I can definitely say what type of man I do not want in my life.

Here goes what my Mr. Right shall not be:

a. A mummy’s boy : as much as I find it cute that you love your mum, I find it horrendous when you go a little overboard and start calling me “mummy” Do not ask me much on this, but let’s just say it was not at all funny.

b. A bisexual: I am an open minded person. Have nothing against people’s choice of life. But then it kind of depresses me to hear that a man has cheated on me with another “man” it is a little too difficult to compete against. And horrendous to be hearing too.

c. A detached being: Do not fancy men who think once a week coffee is being in a relationship. Or texting random facts of life, or news articles to read is what you call keeping in touch with one’s girlfriend. It can be cute for a while, but in a few weeks, you end up wanting to throttle the man, or to turn a suicide bomber and save yourself and the rest of the world from him.

d. TV addict: I do not think that it is that difficult to fathom, this might make you feel that “bisexual man” is a better option. You can’t beat a television, it will always have different things to entertain him with, more than you could. When you switch moods, he will simply switch channels.

e. Someone who types in Sinhala when sending SMSes: call me a snob but there is something that turns me off completely when someone does this. Well leave aside the turn off factor, the confusion it entails simply drives me nuts. Sticking to one language when communicating always helps. Specially if the person is bad at communicating to start off with.

Well got to say the list contains many more, but I have no time to type all of it out. May be I might lengthen this list in the days to come, after thinking over the current data available to me, and then the moments of the past that I do relive and wish never haunted me.

But I have to mention a line told to me that would never be forgotten. My bestie Sonali to me to close the year says “you are not in love with him, you cannot be in love with a man with a small dick!”  LOL Though I am not quite sure about the accuracy of the statement, I need to say it was quite a statement coming out of her mouth.

So do I add one more to the list among many yet to come?
f. Someone who does not have a small penis?

Ok this post confirms my being an official bitch. But then again, I had to type this out, just to please someone special. I hope it made your day 🙂 (see I do listen to you at times, rephrase on a very rare occasion)

I am signing off from tech life for a while. My phone will not be on and nor am I going to be connected to the world through that open door to all forms of confusions called Facebook. I am not sure what I will be missing, but then I suppose my search for peace of mind be more important than the rubbish that might float in through all these modes.

But before I sign off for the new year, I have a promise that needs to be fulfilled, to someone who has been there with me for a while, specially through those terrible moments of my life, where I would rant and she would think that I am high on something. So this is for her, for being there for me, when I not be the most bearable person, and putting up with all the pathetic stories on men, who have been in my life, who might have been in my life, and mostly who should not have been in my life.

Here goes the next blog post, just for an insane friend, with whom I have once a year dispute, and who never considers even momentarily before she pulls all her savings out to put into my hands to facilitate some crazy adventure I have set my mind to embark on.

So for once, here is what you would wish I would write, and hope you enjoy it.

Hugs, and happy new year to the most weirdest best friend in the planet!

What does one have to do to earn a little peace of mind in the new year? Well guess they go ahead and break up with their boyfriends. That would be one solution for getting some peace of mind I presume. Specially if you are in a relationship where you meet up for coffee to talk about others, and then laugh about idiocy, then to head home and talk about meeting up again next week for coffee again.

Sometimes people make me wonder why they call certain things “relationships” may be cz it makes things sound better than stating the obvious, which being “ I am wasting your time, and passing mine in the process with some free making out sessions”.

So what do you do to get some peace of mind in the coming new year? Not that hard to geuss is it? Go ahead and call it quits!

Oh wait, make sure it is done at the auspices time 🙂 will bring you good luck in not having to date bozzos of the kind you are getting rid of in the coming year!

The days discussion of the AWG –KP commenced in Bangkok at 10.30 am today and was initiated by the speech of Santa Lucia/AOSIS. The speaker pointed to the parties the questions that had been posted by AOSIS and went onto emphasise on political issues and then to follow up on the technical issues. The certain conditions made by certain parties was also brought into attention.

Taking the floor following AOSIS group, Brazil mentioned that G77 did not have access to the ideas that were mentioned and hence unable to come to a consensus.They went onto provide the importance of a 2nd commitment period ad an absolute priority.

Gambia extended their support to the statement by Brazil, and agreed also on the grounds of focussing on political issues before going to technical issues.

Argentina also raised their voice to keep focus on political aspects and the main concern to be the second commitment period.

Having provided the floor for the speakers, the Vice Chair of AWG-KP posed the question to the parties: How do you want us to get the political clarity? What is the process? The approach to be adopted?

Algeria for their part provided their expression on behalf of the African group that political issues are the first priority and not the technical issues. The negotiator also pointed that Algeria is concerned about a clear process, and stated that they “think that the most important thing is the political will… without 2nd commitment period there is no mechanism.” They also pointed to the necessity for the implementation of the separation of the two tracks of negotiations. He went on to state that the link between technical and political should not create a gap in the 1st and 2nd period.

Tuvalu speaking next pointed out that it is important to understand what happened since Cancun and what is the response to the parties that will direct parties to a commitment period. And also highlighted the importance to open up the discussion with the suggestion by the Chair to focus on question 1a.

Brazil to the Vice Chair of the AWG-KP “we are in your hands as to how we are to proceed in this question, G77 believe that since we should not go into other issues, we need to focus on political issues and not technical issues”
Marshall Islands following the speech made by Brazil welcomed the focus which was noticed the previous day on political context and expressed their opinion that Annex I parties be requested to address the issues that were raised. As conclusion to their speech called the parties to “get to the heard of the matter”.

The speaker for the European Union commencing his speech added that during the discussions that were held on the 6th of April he believed to have clarified the stance of EU, he added “ I do not want to sound like a broken record”. He continued that the starting point for the EU is the objective of the convention which is Article 2 and that it is their common endeavour. He also added that “ if we want to achieve the overarching objectives of the agreement, we will have to work on all tracks at the same time and move them forward, for us EU, Kyoto Protocol track important…EU has the political will to contribute to these discussions” and highlighted the changes in domestic legislations to facilitate the implementation of objectives highlighted through the Cancun agreements.

He further added “in terms of the political context, we are heartened by the progress made in Cancun” adding that it showed willingness of many parties around the circles. And also mentioned that they have made pledges for actions, economies etc .. “Still I think in Cancun the conditions were not fully met with to the 2nd commitment period…hindrance is that we do not know the rules we need to fulfil”

New Zealand in their speech stated “I think everyone is focussed on how we can move forward. I was quite taken when I saw as to how many practical ideas came up around the room, so before I actually go to address the question that have been asked, I would like to request a discussion on some of the ideas that have been put forward to lead us in the correct direction, in Bonn it would be good if the parties go their prepared, to be ready to really engage in these interesting ideas and issues..So I would very much welcome a discussion how we could pick up some of these other ideas. So answering the question 1a, the answers are pretty much like what EU just gave, we saw that Cancun was excellent progress,…our condition here is a comprehensive global agreement which is 2 degrees or less, we are looking in that comprehensive framework, taking fully commitments.” She referred to two reasons being the need for a global effort and then domestic politics.

“We have for the first time pledges from all the developed countries which is a good thing…What do we need before Durban? We are going to need more progress.. now we have greater understanding what the parties are doing” and she proceeded to highlight the “need to know, what the rules are, we are not going to sign a blank page. So it will be important for New Zealand to know the rules.”

Colombia seemed the country that helped the other countries in coming to grounds in how to tackle the process of moving forward with the discussions with their suggestions. “I think we could have created a threatening environment where no one would want the floor, we need a non threatening middle ground. We have a proposal: we see the way forward as the exploring the main objectives, exploring the conditions,… some countries feel that all of them or some have not been met, when we say we are not there yet, many of us do not know that means, we do not even know whether the developed countries have agreed what they are.”
“Second is observing the different impacts of different rules.. Third, a reality check, what would it be like without certain countries being part of the 2nd commitment period. And then we can give those countries an opportunity to express what they will be doing”

Australia stated that it “welcomes the outcome of Cancun” and that they “saw it as the willingness of parties to move forward”. Proceeding the speaker expressed that her country is we are particularly welcoming holding the temperature below 2 degrees and mentioned the need to keep the mind on the reality.”
“We welcome the pledges by 89 countries, we think that this is the path we need to be on, bUt our conditions have not been met, I would like to make it clear that we do have a political arrangement to be played…we need an agreement, an international agreement …I think it is difficult to separate the discussion of KP with what happens in the others. I think we need to explore the relationship between rules and commitments.
I want to thank Colombia and New Zealand for their yesterday’s approach, I think it would be useful for us to talk in a non threatening approach. I think it will be useful to explore the impact of different rules, …we would like to have discussions on both numbers and rules”.
Bolivia missing their usual negotiator was represented by a slightly nervous lady negotiator who spoke of the higher contribution made by the developing countries as opposed to the developed countries.

Marshall Islands speaking again expressed their interest in pursuing the idea of Colombia to have an idea of the rules currently in existence and the numbers that have been put forward thus far.

Tuvalu speaking again “I think this discussion has been useful, we have two sets of rules we need to consider, …but we have not had a substantive discussion on rules. In this discussion we need to have, what are the comparable efforts, what does it really mean as a precondition for the annex one countries. It is pointless going into technical issues,..I think it is time to reverse our ways of thinking and consider the political thinking. If I go to an LCA discussion I hear that we had standing ovations yet the words we here from the annex one countries are the same words that were heard before Cancun, so have we made progress? ..We can dance around these words but we need to know what is really meant there, from what I am hearing from the parties is that we might not have an end by Durban. What is the point of going into discussion if we do not think that we can reach a conclusion in Durban.”
“We also have parties engaged in technical discussions on rules when they have already discussed that they won’t be part of the Kyoto Protocol, so why are we doing this? I heard from some parties that we are moving towards another agreements? Is it the case?”
“I really encourage us to focus on the political pre conditions, I think it is vital we understand these political preconditions. So that we have an idea that we can resolve these issues before Durban, so we can have a conclusion by Durban.”
“If we can identify the parties who are serious about adopting a second commitment period, then the rules will become much clearer, and the technical rules will become much easier. I think it is fundamental that we have a discussion that resolves the preconditions”

AOSIS presented their interest if the parties agreed to it to take upon the task of separating the political and technical aspects of the rules so as to facilitate the rapid process of discussions. The speaker stated “once that is done, if those two aspects of the rules are separated then we can explore the impact of rules”

Saudi Arabia’s speech was as follows, “we hear very good interventions from the floor but I notice different interventions from our annex one parities, some of their preconditions we can discuss here, in this forum under Kyoto Protocol, …some statements have become very difficult for, when I hear interventions of parties, they are requesting something not in this room, d hear the rational behind that request but I think end of the day we need to be logical in our approach. I hope we have very positive discussions here under the Kyoto protocol and that we have a political will to have a second commitment period. I hope we can be very very focussed in our discussion.”
Tuvalu’s response “I think it would be useful since we have limited time left to work on where this is heading to see clearly that there are some crucial elements which we have not worked on” he also questioned the process of the pledges that have been made in Cancun being implemented in domestic legislation and as to how many countries needs to fulfil them for EU to adopt the second commitment period.

Norway speaks “in order to get there this year we need clarity of rules and progress, I believe that the work we have had earlier these years could give more clarity on the issues expressed by Tuvalu.” While admitting that the developed countries have to take the lead, he pointed out that their isolated effort is not sufficient.

European Union in their response stated, “I was prompted to give an answer. The question from Bolivia: the simple reason is that the Cancun agreement is a mile stone towards a legal framework” but highlighted that “Cancun is not the end of the road”. Then proceeding to address the issues raised by Tuvalu stated that making domestic legislation is not an easy task and that it is a grave reality.
Addressing the issue of comparable efforts EU stated “we have not had a discussion or real negotiation about this. Why have we not? The reason is we do not know the rules, at the moment, everything is in state of a flux”
He also added that the proposal made by Colombia may be the way to move forward to look at the targets and the rules together and added “I hear the notion that we must discuss only among parties that want to be in the Kyoto Protocol, if you drive out of the room a huge number of developed countries then how are we going to have the debate on comparability?”

Being the country to conclude the morning session of AWG – KP, China stated, “The Chinese delegation highly speaks of the Cancun conference…(it) laid down a very good basis for the Durban conference to be held. We are determined to move forward on the basis of Cancun agreements. Majority of parities wish to move forward, but the problem we are facing here is that some countries want to move back. In order to get a better understanding I would like to seek some clarification through you (vice chair of AWG-KP) to our parties. We frequently heard the condition issue, some said that their commitment” is based on conditions, “my question is” whether “their precondition is directly relating to the commitment period, if such condition is not related to the commitment period, it seems to us that there is not room to discuss, it seems to us the 2nd commitment period is a must, there is no room to make compromise from my side, if their condition or precondition is level of ambition I think we can discuss that, but first ..We need to have a full agreement for the international community to have a second commitment period. In conclusion what we are talking about is so many political and technical issues, I think we need to first resolve the commitment issues.”

The session was adjourned and the next interventions to be Tuvalu and Bolivia on the commencement of the next session of AWG –KP.