Copenhagen demonstration with hundred thousand people (by Marina Tse)

On 12 December 2009, we gathered in Christianborg Slotsplads with the crowd.

It was the Global Day of Climate Action. Hundred thousand people in Copenhagen headed towards Bella Centre, urging the negotiators there to reach a satisfactory legally binding agreement to tackle climate change. Thousands of similar activities were held worldwide to echo the same message.

AND it was the first time we, the Chinese youth delegations, being part of the people.

You may doubt whether our action is of any meaning at all, since it does not seem to change anything. You may even criticize that it is a waste of money to come all the way to Copenhagen for the demonstration. Facing the doubts, I sometimes can do no more than keeping silent, not because I consider myself on the wrong side, but that I have a different perspective.

You know what? Before our departure, the organizer reminded us to enjoy the march, and not to forget the humour we have as youth.

Therefore, you see us holding the banner and shouting slogans. There were polar bears and Mr. Earth and penguins in the march. From time to time people sang and dance to cheer the crowd and encourage the progress of the march.

Each participant of the march came with his or her own messages and may have different perceptions. The organizations may stand on different position. However such differences did not forbid us to walk together with mutual support, since we share the same vision and common goal.

In the march, I saw passion and excitement, and may be some small complaints on the cold weather. But not fear, since it is derived from fear and desperation.

I maintain hope, not because of the progress of the negotiation, but that I realize how little the government represents the people and the powerful they—we—are. These demonstrators have done their work in cities where they are from to raise people’s awareness on climate change issues. Through them, I see the people-the ordinary people—who change their lifestyles for the planet. Every bit of the changes contributes to the fundamental change of society, though the people may not be aware of what they have achieved.

To many, the whole march is no more than a number. The demonstrators endeavouring to attract the world’s attention may be given only the space of a photo on the newspaper. We, the Chinese youth, is no more than a tiny part of the hundred thousand people, but forget not that the hundred thousand people are constituted by individuals.

The hundred thousand in Copenhagen, together with the demonstrators in other parts of the world, represent the grass-root power. Even though our effort may have little impact on the progress of the negotiations in the Bella Centre, we remind the world:

Despite the disheartening negotiation and politics surrounding climate change issues, we, as individuals, still have retained the power to make a better world.