BLI is partnering with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to send out 10,000 postcards globally. And we are doing it for a noble cause. Find more below.
INTENTION – MOBILIZING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING
The Paris Agreement concluded in 2015 intends to stop global warming at a maximum of +2°C compared to pre-industrial times. This will only be possible if society at large commits to substantially reduce current greenhouse gas emissions by taking immediate action. In such an endeavor children and young people are key players – both, as the generations that will have to live longer with tomorrow’s climate as well as driving force to achieve a climate compatible development.
This is why the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through its Global Programme Climate Change and Environment (GPCCE) wants to help mobilize youth all over the world. The main goal is to launch a ‘Global Climate Change Youth Movement’ that will raise the voice of children and adolescents to be heard by leaders and decision makers – especially at the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will take place in Poland (COP24).
History of the idea
The ‘World Advanced Vehicle Expedition’ (WAVE) through its initiator Louis Palmer organized the first successful attempt to compose the largest postcard during COP22 in Marrakech in 2016 featuring over 50’000 postcards (www.wave.earth, see photographs below). With the help of numerous partners and supporters we now intend to double the number of postcards for a new Guinness record. In addition to the slogan displayed in Marrakech an additional message will be conveyed using green postcards that say ‘We are the future – give us a chance’.
Targets 2018
In 2018 two major achievements are planned by SDC and its partners:
- Set a new Guinness World Record (www.guinnessworldrecords.com)! The largest ever composed postcard is going to be exposed on the Aletsch glacier in Switzerland – the longest and deepest glacier of the Alps. The maxi-postcard will be covered with over 100’000 commitments of learners from schools all over the world;
- Extract a number of key messages from the many postcards received to be addressed to policy and decision makers all over the world. This shall include the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. António Gutteres, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ms. Patricia Espinosa, the Heads of States from all the countries that will have provided postcards, as well as all Members of the Swiss Parliament. The messages will be sent by Swiss youth on behalf of young world citizens using real postcards featuring the Jungfraujoch and being stamped there at the highest post office in Europe.
Key message
On a surface of ice of about 50×50 m over 100’000 postcards glued on A0 posters and sealed to be weatherproof will be exposed. The key message added to be visible from high above will be:
WE ARE THE FUTURE – GIVE US A CHANCE
STOP GLOBAL WARMING 1.5°C
Location & timing
The postcards will be exposed on 30 October 2018 on the largest glacier of the Alps located at an altitude of more than 3500 m a.s.l. in a place called ‘Top of Europe’ reachable by train and pertain the highest post office in Europe (Jungfraujoch).
