This Weekend, Citizens in Over 130 Countries Unite with Candlelight Vigils to Call for Progress in Copenhagen Climate Talks

Gibraltar: This weekend, on the 12th of December, millions of people will hold rallies and candlelight vigils in over 130 countries to call for progress in the Copenhagen climate talks. The events, coordinated by hundreds of civil society groups under the banner of the TckTckTck campaign, will be held from Kinshasa to Kathmandu and in Copenhagen itself.

Location: Convent Place Time from 6pm When: 12th December 2009

“Following on from the first global action on 350 that we supported in Gibraltar in October, we will also be joining with people around the world this Saturday to remind politicians that for many, ending the climate crisis is a matter of survival. We need a real deal in Copenhagen, not greenwash,” said Janet Howitt from the ESG, one of the groups supporting the event in Gibraltar.

These demonstrations will draw a line between success and failure at the ongoing Copenhagen Climate Conference by calling for a 3-point “Real Deal”. Supporters are asking for all countries to urgently sign a climate agreement that is:

a) Fair – by securing $200 billion in climate financing for poorer countries
b) Ambitious – by peaking global carbon emissions by 2015, and returning atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below 350 parts per million

c) Binding – legally enforceable At a special vigil at the culmination of a giant march in Copenhagen on Saturday the 12th, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu will be joined by former Irish President Mary Robinson and other climate movement leaders to deliver a global citizens’ message to negotiators and leaders. Tutu will urge leaders to take bold action, reminding them that “millions of people, especially the very poor, are already suffering due to changing weather patterns, droughts and floods. None of us will be immune from climate change – we are all in this together and there is no time to lose.”

At many vigils, citizens will be forming the number 350 out of candlelight. Many scientists, climate experts and progressive national governments are now saying that 350 parts per million is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The number 350 has become a symbol of climate action since a massive global day of demonstrations organized by the environmental group 350.org on October 24th.

Gibraltar will also be creating a symbolic image of 350 at a candlelit vigil opened by the Bishop of Gibraltar and asks the community to show support and please come along as from 6pm where various statements will be read out and thoughts shared.

—————————————————————————————————–
Bill McKibben, US environmentalist and founder of 350.org says, “People of every faith, rich and poor, on every continent have spoken clearly in the last few months, rallying around the 350 target. Ordinary citizens understand the science. Our leaders have no excuse for not producing a deal that meets the scale of the crisis.”