As talks in Copenhagen face the challenge of an agreement among 192 countries, millions of people around the world joined over 3,000 vigils and rallies on every continent, calling for the 350 target to be the anchor for a real deal in Copenhagen.
Instead of rolling over in the face of the great powers, small, poor, vulnerable nations across the globe are rallying around the 350 flag. The aim is to highlight the 350 parts per million (ppm) scientists and many developing nations feel is the safe upper concentration for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
On Friday night, December 11, 2009, Belize joined this effort by hosting a candlelight vigil to show solidarity with the proposal for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty that would lead us back to 350 ppm. Without such a Deal, many of our coastal towns and villages will continue to feel the effects of climate driven natural disasters. For Belize, bleached coral reefs that grow more slowly every year, rising sea level, stronger hurricanes and more extreme weather events are just a few of the impacts we are already experiencing. And it will get worse in years to come. Particularly, for our economy which is so closely tied to tourism, agriculture and fishing, ALL of which will be severely impacted by Climate Change.
The World Wildlife Fund, Healthy Reefs Initiative and other partners organized the candlelight vigil that took place in Belize City, Belize. The vigil began at the Belize City Swing Bridge with a parade down Albert and Regent Streets and ended at the Battlefield Park.
At approximately 7:20 pm Friday, December 11, 2009, the candlelight vigil began with a very encouraging speech from the First Lady of Belize, Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. Approximately, 50 participants listened on keenly with lighted candles and signs imprinted with 350 held firmly in hands. The vigil parade then took off as planned with a highly energized chanting of ‘1.5 Stay Alive’ by participants, and the parade ended at the Battlefield Park with the screening of two short films that highlight climate change impacts on Belize.
To show Belize’s solidarity with the call, a short film on the vigil was produced. The film was sent with the delegates accompanying Belize’s Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, for airing at Copenhagen.
(Press Release)
