Sofa Cushions, Cats and Policy Wonk.

I’m not a violent person, but I almost became one ten minutes ago.

Trying to understand the intricate and meticulous working nature of wordpress was a trifle challenging, and a number of colourful scenarios entered the realm of possibility my brain likes to draw from – many of which involving my laptop and an array of blunt instruments. Fortunately for you (the general public, if I’m lucky?), none were within effortless reach, and upon discovering that neither sofa cushions nor cats demonstrate any significant levels of skill when it comes to causing damage to a Sony Vaio, I was forced to resort to perseverance.

I’m Rachel (yes, I’m sure you may have gathered that, considering that it is rather boldly declared above), and you can expect large words of this blog. I was consoled by Raven today; she insisted that it was a positive thing, as each time the delegation meets I somehow manage to widen the extent of its collective vocabulary. Personally, I’d like to hope it may come in handy for more than just recreation – as I embark on a journey from here to Denmark, one policy concept at a time.

Being elected (rather informally, I must say) to the NZYD Policy Team is an exciting prospect! Not only does it allow me legitimate reasons to become more of a Policy Wonk (a new term discovered today), but the potential number of new words I’ll be able to learn is almost frightening! Perhaps a goal of ours could be, should situations in Copenhagen turn dire, to engage our newfound vocabilaric talents in beating the delegates (not our own, of course!) to submission. Submission with their own medicine. Submission with the cunning use of… Words.
(That was actually meant to be amusing… Only because it alluded to something on YouTube which I’m almost certain you won’t have seen… Check it out here for a laugh.)

Though, on a more serious, and less tangental note, I’d like to reconsider that clip. Really, it is true that the West has forced its way of life upon other nations. And yes, with the cunning (and rather twee, really) use of Flags. Lately (or should we say since the Industrial Revolution), that culture we’ve been forced to imbibe has evolved to incorporate consumerism – and, seemingly inevitably, such consumption has demanded the exploitation of our natural resources, emitting insane quantities of carbon in the process. The result? Climate change.
If it’s such a problem, fixing it should be simple, right?

Wrong.
Despite the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, and the signing by 153 nations of the Convention on Climate Change in Rio, in 1992, we’re still in a space where climate change is a huge problem. In fact, the severity of the issue is constantly increasing – and yet we still haven’t taken any serious action.

Today’s advent marks Day 49 before the New Zealand Youth Delegation attends what could be the most important conference in world history. Our role, as a delegation, is to take YOUR voice, the voice of New Zealand youth, and have it heard in Denmark. My role, as an individual, is to keep you informed with what’s happening around the world – in terms of activism, in terms of politics, in terms of policy wonk…
…in terms of change.

Here’s to begin: President Mohammed Nasheed’s hosting of the Maldives’ Cabinet, underwater, to raise awareness about climate change.

Over and out,

Dobric.

PS

I’ve thought I’ll leave you a little quote, when I can spare the time… Today’s is from an arrogant man; though one who was rather eloquent with words (and said some fabulous things). I find it particularly poignant to contemplate when I have to think about politics, policy… and blogging to all of you. There’s simply so much to take into consideration. :/

“It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information.”
Oscar Wilde

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