World Silent Day Campaign at Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland
Poznan- Following up on the World Silent Day (WSD) campaign that was initiated at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 13 UNFCCC) in Bali last year, the WSD sent two representatives to the COP 14 UNFCCC in Poznan, Poland on 1-12 December 2008. Agung Wardana (from Walhi Bali) dan Hira Jhamtani (BOA) were assigned with the task to remind UNFCCC participants about the WSD campaign as part of the solution to climate change and to strengthen international support for the campaign.
The World Silent Day campaign is based on the Balinese tradition of 24 hours of inactivity to rejuvenate humans and give the earth one of rest from the onslaught of human activities. This tradition is offered to the global community as a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
“Amidst the heavy negotiation agenda, we try to make use of available space and time to attract participants to the campaign and to mobilize support for WSD” said Agung Wardana. He registered as an observer through the Friends of the Earth International.
Campaign tools in the form of about 1000 brochures, stickers and postcards were brought in from Bali by Wardana to be disseminated. Various campaign strategies were employed, through direct dialogue with participants, borrowing a space in the exhibition booth of other organizations, and pasting stickers in strategic places (see picture). Wardana even changed his laptop wallpaper to show the WSD banner.
The responses varied when the WSD team explained that the campaign is inspired by the Nyepi day in Bali when people refrain from travelling, working and putting on lights. Even the international airport of Bali is closed for 24 hours on that day. Many people cannot believe this but are also impressed that the Balinese community can refrain, for 24 hours, from activities that produce green house gas emission.
“I have heard about this campaign. I am curious what is the situation in Bali during Nyepi; it is unbeleivable” said a government delegate from Nepal.
Some participants also understood the WSD campaign as a value that emerges from traditional wisdom of community in Bali. The value of restraining oneself and of respecting mother earth for sustainability of the earth itself is also common among other traditional/indigenous communities. They said these values must be voiced out and raised as a bargaining position by communities in international negotiations.
The WSD team also tried to make alliances with similar campaigns. For instance, WSD will follow up with the Zero Caravan and the tree hugger project. Zero Caravan is a campaign for participants who want to attend the COP 15 UNFCCC in Copenhagen, 2009, by travelling (within Europe) using transport that will not produce greenhouse gas emission. The tree hugger project is an environemntal education project that encourages people to plant trees in 35 countries.
The Youth Delegation is another potential ally that was lobbied by the WSD team. There were about 400 youth delegates from many countries and can become a great voice for the WSD campaign.
A spokesperson of the Youth Delegation, who made a statement at the formal plenary, said that WSD is an excellent moral campaign. He is committed to help spread the message to other youths of the world.
Kate Horner from Friends of the Earth US said she will participate in the WSD pada 21 March 2009. This commitment was echoed by other campaigners of other Friends of the Earth organizations.
The WSD team was also interviewed by vitaecivilus, an independent television of Brazil on the issue. The reporter is committed to spreading the message in Brazil.
Small steps that we hope will help to give energy to the WSD campaign.
