Day 3 at COP28: Couches
Anna Stephens (USA), Mandisa Gumada (South Africa), Rob Samulack (Canada)
Couch Conversations: The Value of Small-scale Action at COP28
The United Nations’ 28th Conference of the Parties is recognized for its emphasis on large-scale action. Delegates from countries all around the world show up for opulent opening ceremonies, high-profile meetings, and international negotiations, all magnified by an abundance of media coverage. But today, we found that some of the most meaningful conversations at COP28 occur in the most unassuming places.
This finding began while we were sitting on the pavement outside of a pavilion, working on our newsletter. We were feeling fed up with the performative nature of large-scale international agreements, as they do not result in significant concrete action, which led us to the concept of ‘hot air.’
“My feet are falling asleep,” said Anna. “Can we go find a table to sit at?”
“Sure,” replied Rob, “but I prefer couches.” Little did Rob know that couches would become a motif for the rest of our day.
We approached a seating area in the Blue Zone where an Italian journalist invited us to sit with him on a couch. The concept of ‘hot air’ came up again in conversation, but as an Italian whose third language is English, he had never used this idiom before. A couple of Ugandan activists soon joined us and shared the same confusion about ‘hot air.’ We all began discussing the efficacy of international agreements, feeling disheartened by their potential to lack meaningful impact.
Our discussion shifted and we discovered that one of those Ugandan activists is a doctor. By chance, the Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross sat down beside us and asked about sustainability and healthcare in our respective countries. This gave us all a unique opportunity to discuss a major issue with a high level NGO official. Conversely, we gave that director general an update about corners of the world that he may not have recently visited.
What began as a frustrated conversation about a lack of action turned into a networking opportunity for people from different countries and professions around the world. So if all of these big, grandiose agreements are for naught, then why do we even bother with the COP process? As shown by our couch conversations, places like COP28 act as a venue for dialogue across borders, classes, cultural groups, and more. It gives voice to individuals and communities outside of traditional lobbyists.
So the next time that you find yourself questioning the state of climate justice, look not at round tables or podiums in plenary rooms. Instead, take comfort in the fact that hundreds of thousands of passionate observers are connecting on couches throughout the Blue Zone.We invite you to find your own metaphorical couch–an avenue for discussing environmental issues, no matter what that might look like in your own life. Climate justice will be more attainable if we all commit ourselves to having more couch conversations like the ones taking place at COP28.
