Envision sends Grad reporter Kylie to Copenhagen

In December 2009, Kylie Flavien, Envision Grad from London, was the lucky recipient of Envision’s Golden Ticket to Copenhagen, where she got to make her voice heard about the largest and most talked about climate change conference in the world... ever!

Kylie joined thousands of climate change activists from across the world, as part of the Global Day of Action March, which saw people from all around the world taking action to put pressure on decision makers in Copenhagen.  The world’s most influential leaders were meeting for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, held at the Bella Center, between 7 December and 18 December 2009.

Kylie decided to apply for the Golden ticket because she thought it was vital that young people like herself should be involved in the decision making regarding climate change.  “Young people should be at the forefront of fighting climate change, if not for the fact that it is our environment but because it will our future generation that will suffer if things are not rectified now.”

“My experience in Copenhagen showed me that a collective of people with similar value can group together and make their voice heard. I have realised that climate change is a significant issue that needs to be tackled now rather than later. I met a diverse range of people on the trip. I met people from various organisations such as Friends of the Earth and the Save Tibet group. I met experienced campaigners as well as individuals who were on their first march. I even met Helen Baxendale of ‘Cold Feet’ and ‘Friends’ fame, who had come to Copenhagen to add her voice to the call for action on climate change.  Regardless of where everyone had come from, an immediate bond was created as we all were striving for the best possible outcome.”

Kylie told us that even though she did not think enough government action was taken to tackle climate change, she was optimistic. “It was an amazing feeling to be part of such a large delegation representing the UK on an international arena. The knowledge that they were all there for a common goal was a very liberating feeling. Unfortunately, the conference did not have the intended impact we all wanted as the outcomes were limited, however the sheer amount of people that showed up to the march demonstrated that people do want change and are willing to make their opinions heard. I learnt that there is strength in numbers but the individual voice can be just as striking. No matter what, one should stay true to their values and be willing to fight for them in the face of adversity.”

Her advice to other Envisionaries who want to help fight climate change?  “Find other like-minded people to share ideas on how to stop climate change. Join societies that bring about change or start you own one.”

Want to be kept up to date with the latest opportunities like this? E-mail anneka@envision.org.uk.