It's Now or Never: Rio+20: Children and Youth Rejects Outcome Document

A moment of history! The young people wrote their history marking the failure of Rio+20 'The Future We Want' final document.

On 21st June, hundreds from the civil society groups especially youth had joined the sit-in style protest and walk-out march from the Rio+20 conference building after the Major Group NGOs had rejected the text in the opening ceremony of the official segment of Rio+20. They rejected the final outcome document 'The Future We Want' adopted in the high level meeting.

NGOs at the Rio+20 conference complained that they were only consulted on the official document at the last minute, when they could no longer make a significant impact. The text was a failure because it did not address crucial issues such as ending support for fossil fuels and nuclear power, or taking clear steps to address high seas destruction. Many people expressed deep disappointment with the final document. The civil society did not stand with that set of declarations as there is nothing in it really that civil society has been strongly pushing for.

Kumi Naidoo, the executive director of Greenpeace, also said that the outcome is an epic failure. He said the final result was a document with the lowest possible ambition, blaming richer nations for defending their own narrow interests. Many countries agreed the declaration does not offer solutions to the dire crises currently faced by humanity, but were unlikely to say so publicly. However, a declaration lacking specific targets will fail to halt worsening problems like climate change, loss of biodiversity and deforestation, added Naidoo.

On the other hand, the European Union considered the Rio+20 final document as imperfect, but a good starting point for further work.

Seeing the frustration and anger expressed by the people in Rio+20, I deeply felt that we are in a generation of change - We knew that we do not have power in hand to change the negotiation outcome, but we have tried our best, and we'll continue doing so. As a civil society member, we are playing different roles to promote peace, demand for changes in the Rio+20 processes. Some of us have participated in direct actions to raise awareness, let our voices to be heard, ensure our voices reach our media. Me and you, have responsibility to help shape the story of Rio+20.

What I want Malaysian youth to do with Rio+20? Engage ourselves in the sustainable development processes, participate in the policy-making processes, be curious about our living environment and the resources we are using - they will be gone very soon if we care nothing about the natural resources, be innovative and creative in raising awareness among the civil society and let our voices to be heard by the government - we should decide our future, not the government - they should listen to the people. We question ourselves: are we doing enough for our land? Is our country taking concrete actions in various areas such as water, land use, energy, oceans, sustainable production and consumption, resource efficiency? Have we covered all the three pillars of sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic?

But then, the company Lynas remains its Rare Earth refinery plant and its operation in Malaysia, a new nuclear plant will be built soon, illegal logging in Perak/Pahang national forest reserve is still happening, water crisis is a popular word this is recent days... how many of us are paying attention to all these issue? Sad to say, our green circle is very small, yet it doesn't shape a voice heard by majority.

I want to congratulate the effort made by the Malaysian negotiation team - though I'm not really familiar with their position due to the Secrecy Act, at least their friendliness made my access to the country's delegate office easier. Now I'm looking forward participating Rio+20 workshop held by Malaysia Economy Planning Unit in September/October.