Background Information: UN Conference of the Parties 20

The UN Conference of the Parties 20 (COP 20) will convene in Lima, Peru in December 2014. At a time of unequivocal human-induced change to our earths climate, world leaders have decisions to make that could alter the future of the planet. In 1990, the UN General Assembly began work on a climate change convention, which would become the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC). To date, 192 countries have ratified this Convention. The goal of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at a level that prevents human-made climate change. Every year, the countries who have ratified the UNFCCC meet to review the Conventions goals and the progress toward achieving them. One of the tools being used to reach those goals is the Kyoto Protocol, to which the Parties (countries) agreed in 1997. There have been 19 Conferences of the Parties, with the last being held in Warsaw, Poland. Importantly, further progress was made in helping countries, especially the poorest, adapt to the impacts of climate change and build their own sustainable, clean energy futures. In a breakthrough outcome, the rulebook for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation was agreed, together with measures to bolster forest preservation and a results-based payment system to promote forest protection. The Green Climate Fund, planned to be a major channel of financing for developing world action, will be ready for capitalization in the second half of 2014. Additionally, governments agreed on a mechanism to address loss and damage caused by long-term climate change impacts. The most recent climate science shows that human-generated climate change is beyond doubt, but we have a limited time to keep warming to a maximum of under two degrees. However, global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak this decade, and get to zero net emissions by the second half of this century. To achieve this, it is critical that action is taken and coordinated swiftly at all levels: international, domestic, business and finance. For this reason, COP19 in Warsaw also provided a showcase for climate action by business, cities, regions and civil society. The solutions to climate change are already clear and the world has the money and technology, the knowledge and models to succeed. The results of effective climate action are also clear: immediate, shared benefits to all economies and citizens and a sustainable future for all.

Develop your expertise on the effects of climate change Some questions to help focus your research: How does global warming affect species and their natural habitats? How does global warming affect weather patterns? How will human food security be affected by global warming? Why are the worlds poor (particularly children) most vulnerable to the effects of climate change? What has been the history of climate change science up until now? A few places to start looking for answers: UNICEF Report: Our children, our climate, our responsibility CBC Climate Change WWF Climate, Carbon and Energy www.unicef.ca/getreelonclimate www.cbc.ca/news/background/climatechange/ http://panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/climate_carbon_energy/

Develop your expertise on taking action on climate change (industry/national/international levels) Focus your research on answering these questions: What are some examples of companies taking steps to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? What is the Kyoto Protocol? What have countries committed to under it? What is the Conference of the Parties No. 20? What is the history leading up to this meeting? What are some examples of programs that national governments are finding successful for reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Which countries are undertaking them? A few places to start looking for answers: UN Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/2860.php UN Climate Change Conference Copenhagen http://en.cop15.dk/climate+facts The NEW Climate Deal: A pocket guide www.ourplanet.com/imgversn/WWF_climate_guide/WWF_Climate_Deal.pdf

Develop your expertise on taking action on climate change (personal/community/organizational levels) Focus your research on answering these questions: -What can people do at a personal level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? -Does it really help? -What innovative steps are communities and cities taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? -How are climate change organizations motivating others to tackle climate change? -What are some examples of youth-led initiatives to tackle climate change? A few places to start looking for answers: Unite for Climate www.uniteforclimate.org Climate Change Youth Guide to Action, Taking It Global http://www.takingitglobal.org/action/guide/ Climate Justice, Friends of the Earth http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2007/climate-justice-for-all/

Going to Lima Country Assignment

Congratulations! You have all been chosen as experts in your field, to form ________________________s delegation to the Conference of the Parties No. 20, in Lima Peru. This climate change conference will be the most important yet, and your expertise will be crucial in representing the interests of ____________________________ at this highlevel meeting. (country) The Conference of the Parties No. 20 is being held on _________________. Your meals, accommodations and travel have all been arranged. We appreciate your effort in this phase as you prepare together to address the agenda (below) as representatives of ______________________. All the best in your preparation, _______________________________ Chair of the Conference of the Parties No. 15 Conference of the Parties No. 20 Agenda 1. Country presentations (each five to seven minutes in length) 2. Question period, rebuttal, discussion among countries 3. Agreement/statement drafted and discussed 4. Signing of agreement Your task: Prepare a five to seven minute presentation that communicates: o Your countrys position on the Kyoto Protocol and flexible mechanisms o Your countrys recommendations for addressing climate change o Commitments your country is willing to make

Going to Lima Country Assignment

Congratulations! You have all been chosen as experts in your field, to form ________________________s delegation to the Conference of the Parties No. 20, in Lima Peru. This climate change conference will be the most important yet, and your expertise will be crucial in representing the interests of ____________________________ at this highlevel meeting. (country) The Conference of the Parties No. 20 is being held on _________________. Your meals, accommodations and travel have all been arranged. We appreciate your effort in this phase as you prepare together to address the agenda (below) as representatives of ______________________. All the best in your preparation, _______________________________ Chair of the Conference of the Parties No. 15 Conference of the Parties No. 20 Agenda 1. Country presentations (each five to seven minutes in length) 2. Question period, rebuttal, discussion among countries 3. Agreement/statement drafted and discussed 4. Signing of agreement Your task: Prepare a five to seven minute presentation that communicates: o Your countrys position on the Kyoto Protocol and flexible mechanisms o Your countrys recommendations for addressing climate change o Commitments your country is willing to make

Culminating Activity: Going to Peru 1) Individual expertise research- /10 - Addressing questions provided on expertise card - 2 pages max - due Tuesday April 22nd at the latest 2) Individual Report- /22 a) Review a recent (within two years) article pertaining to climate change in your assigned country and write a 1 page max analysis. Consider the following: - How climate change is affecting residence in the country/ the economy -How political leaders are responding -How climate change may affect the country in the future b) Provide 3 viable options for improving the worlds outlook with regards to climate change. For each suggestion provide: -Scientifically how it may improve climate change -How it could be implemented -How realistic this option would be and why *be creative, try to think outside of the box! -due Friday April 25th at the latest 3) Group presentation- /15 Prepare a five to seven minute presentation that communicates: -Your countrys position on the Kyoto Protocol and flexible mechanisms -Your countrys recommendations for addressing climate change (at least 3) -Commitments your country is willing to make 4) Conference Participation- /5 -participation in conference -actively involved in questions/ debates

TOTAL -

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Name:___________________________________ Expertise Research- /10 All Questions answered with appropriate explanation 1 On time 1 Grammar/ Spelling 1 Individual Report- /22 a) ARTICLE REVIEW Relevancy 1 Current effect 1 Future issues 1 /8 2 2 3 2

3 4 5 6 7

b) OPTIONS FOR IMPOROVEMENT- /14 3 Viable Options Given 1 2 3 Option 1 explained 1 2 3 Option 2 explained 1 2 3 Option 3 explained 1 2 3 Creativity 1 2 Group Presentation- /15 Position on Kyoto protocol Recommendations Commitments Clear/ Concise Connections Made Knowledgeable on topic

1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3

Participation- /5 Respectful of other delegates 1 Participation in discussions 1

2 2

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