Bristol’s ‘Copenhagen 3’ will make a crowd at Copenhagen climate change talks

south west | the environment | press release Thursday November 26, 2009 11:48 by Oxfam South West - Oxfam South West

Three Bristol-based Oxfam activists are preparing to become on-the-ground reporters for the most important moment in history. Known as the ‘Copenhagen 3’, the volunteer activists will act as the eyes, ears and voice of the Southwest at the crucial Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen on the weekend of the 12th December.

Megan Orpwood-Russell (24), Rosanne White (24) and Janine Woodward (29) are joining Oxfam activists from across the UK on a specially booked train, which will travel from London to Copenhagen on Friday 11th December. Over the course of the weekend, the ‘Copenhagen 3’ will be reporting on the talks and feeding back to the Southwest via the Oxfam Southwest blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Megan said: “I want to go to Copenhagen because apathy upsets me so much – when I hear my friends say ‘what’s the point?’ and insist that ‘one person can’t make a difference.

“I want to show people that if one person can encourage five others, then five more, we can soon change things! It worries me that politics could affect our climate future simply because of the fact that some countries think other countries won’t act. I want to show these leaders that a lot of people across the world have invested in this.”

In the run up to their epic journey, the ‘Copenhagen 3’ are giving talks in schools, meeting with local MPs, joining up with Southwest groups such as Stitch n’ Bitch and Sustainable Frome, and posting news of their activities on the Oxfam Southwest blog, Twitter and Facebook. Set up only on Thursday 19th November, the ‘Copenhagen 3’ Facebook page has already attracted 107 fans.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to march through Copenhagen on the 12th December – including 250 people from Oxfam international and climate witnesses. Hundreds of events and activities will be organised around the world during the day – involving many affiliates.

Oxfam is campaigning for a fair and safe climate deal. A safe deal must keep global warming below 2°C over pre-industrial temperatures. Global emission levels need to come down by 50% by 2050.

A fair deal means that governments must support financial and technical aid for developing countries to help them adapt to climate change, particularly noting the special needs of women.