The ‘People’s Seat’ initiative is engaging people on taking action on climate change in the lead-up to the Katowice Climate Change Conference.
The initiative is producing a “People’s Seat Address” to be read by Sir David Attenborough at COP 24, based on responses compiled through the hashtag #TakeYourSeat.
Following the address, the initiative will launch the Facebook Messenger ‘ActNow.bot,’ which recommends and tracks individual climate actions.
21 November 2018: The UNFCCC ‘People’s Seat’ initiative aims to engage people on taking action climate change in the lead-up to the Katowice Climate Change Conference. The initiative will combine digital technology, polling and the voices of prominent environmentalists to deliver an urgent message to delegates at the conference.
Launched by the UNFCCC Secretariat, the initiative is producing a “People’s Seat Address” to be read at a plenary session during the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UNFCCC, on 3 December 2018. Sir David Attenborough will read the Address, which is being compiled based on inputs gathered in the run-up to the conference. Inputs are being solicited on social media via the hashtag #TakeYourSeat.
People’s empowerment can be the change that we need for a sustainable world.
Following the address by Attenborough, the initiative will launch a Climate Action Facebook Messenger ‘ActNow.bot.’ The ActNow.bot will recommend everyday changes that individuals can make in their lives to combat climate change – such as reducing meat consumption and taking public transit – and track these activities to highlight the impact of collective action. UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Alison Smale underscored the bot’s value and highlighted the importance of empowering people to take action in their own lives, “to be the change that we need for a sustainable world.”
Polish Secretary of State and incoming COP 24 President Michal Kurtyka noted that he is “pleased that the UN is pioneering the People’s Seat in Poland, a country which prides itself in being innovative and deploying cutting-edge technologies.” The Katowice Climate Change Conference is convening from 2-14 December 2018. [UNFCCC Announcement] [The People’s Seat Media Fact Sheet] [UN News Story]