Mariana Díaz is a journalist specialized in climate change, she is the host of the television program "Pura Energía" that talks about alternative energies, she is the spokesperson for "Al Gore" and travels giving her lecture on Climate Change, she was chosen by the British Council, as a young leader of climate change. She competed with people from all over the world and was selected to travel to Cancun for COP16 "The United Nations Summit on Climate Change"
TuVerde: What is the lecture you give, An Inconvenient Truth, all about?
Mariana Diaz: It's the same one that Al Gore gives. At some point I took care of the press of what was going to be his foundation in Argentina, which has not yet opened, and there I learned about the possibility of traveling to train. They make a selection where you choose the people who can do it, and I was lucky enough to be one of them, so I traveled and he trained me.
The training consists of four days with Al Gore and IPCC scientists. During that time there is the possibility of attending various conferences that are given throughout the day.
Regarding An Inconvenient Truth, it is Al Gore who gives this lecture, updated to date. Two months ago I was in Nashville, his birthplace and residence, where I was training again.
The result of this is that we have a lot of new information that we brought and that I will be implementing in the following conferences that de.
TV: How did you get interested in these topics?
MD: Precisely, it was thanks to Al Gore. When I saw his lecture in the movie An Inconvenient Truth it changed my perception of everything. I decided from then on to specialize in climate change and dedicate myself to this.
The result is that I am tremendously committed today. Fortunately, the response from people is always impressive: sometimes, when giving the lecture I can see 400 people sitting, for example at a university, and 100 more stops in the background. This shows that there is a concrete need and makes me put all the batteries.
I am currently working fully with Al Gore's foundation. In fact, I have already given more than 20 lectures. I work closely with the directors of The Climate Project's only Latin American headquarters, which is Mexico. We hope that 2011 will finally be the year of TCP's landing in Argentina.
TV: What is the importance of spreading issues such as climate change?
MD: It's great that the subject becomes fashionable, I think it has to be attacked on all fronts. I understand that the fact that it gets in vogue is going to make people's minds change.
People who approach this type of conference begin to receive certain information that, in one way or another, they have left. And this also generates change.
TV: What can everyone do, from their place, to generate this change?
MD: There are a lot of solutions that people can put into practice. Some of them are closing the tap when you brush your teeth or dishes, walking more, using the bicycle more or disconnecting the electronics from the living room when you go to sleep.
In addition, you can disconnect cell phone chargers, wash fewer clothes and millions of other things that are extremely important.
We have to change the way we think. We are used to wasting multiple resources, such as water: the Argentine consumes 500 liters per day, when the World Health Organization indicates that you can live with 80. We have a lot to do.
TV: What do you think is happening today with awareness of these issues?
MD: I think, as I said before, that there is starting to be a need, I see this with what happens in the conferences and it's good.
TV: What was the basis of the British Council in electing the Young Climate Change Leaders?
MD: The competition organised by the British Council is called Climate Generation. They dedicated themselves to finding young leaders, around the world, who have developed projects related to climate change and who have them working.
To participate in it, you had to send a video of your project, letters of recommendation and several documents telling your initiative. I presented my climate change project for teenagers.
It is a conference that, in a didactic and entertaining way, explains: what is climate change, how to solve it, and most importantly, introduces the concept of sustainability as the key to solving the problem.
The ultimate goal is for adolescents to understand that development and planet can coexist and to understand that each of us is responsible and consequently, also the solution.
TV: Why did you decide to participate in the contest?
MD: Because it was a great opportunity. Being elected by the British Council is an honour; the title of Climate Champion is a great recognition.
To this was added the possibility of leadership training and travel to the COP 16 that was offered. Once I won and was named a Climate champion, I went on to compete with the winners from all over the world to go to the COP. And they chose me!
TV: What does it mean to be a Young Climate Change Leader? What does it involve?
MD: It implies being committed to the fight against climate change; lead that change, not wait for the government, businesses, or others to do something: make it one. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
The world was built by people who knew no bounds. People who challenged beliefs; people who followed no matter how much they told them they couldn't. We need that kind of mindset to solve this crisis.
TV: Do you know other winners of the contest who are going to travel to the summit?
MD: I don't know them, but I know there is one winner from Bangladesh and two from the UK. I will have the opportunity to meet everyone in Cancun. It gives me great joy to think that I will meet people who, around the planet, are in the same as me.
On the other hand, I did have the opportunity to meet a Climate Champion from the United Kingdom and several from Argentina at the beginning of this year. They are all very interesting people with very good projects.
Being chosen is an enriching experience, and I am very grateful to the British Council. All the people I met who work there are exceptional.
TV: What will be your role as the British Council's representative at the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change?
MD: As a representative of the British Council, I will moderate the United Nations youth event, which will be attended by Chrisitana Figueres. There I will give the keynote address and conduct the presentations and questions from the audience.
I will also moderate an online youth event, which will involve young people from all over the world, in which the role of youth in the fight against climate change will be discussed.
TV: What expectations do you have about your trip in particular and the summit in general?
MD: As a journalist, attending the COP is a great opportunity. Not only will I follow the negotiations and attend conferences where I can learn about the most varied edges of the subject, but I also hope to experience the other side of the COP, which is related to the human, with experiences and sensations. Even with passion: it is an opportunity to meet people who believe and dream of the same thing as me; to hear the stories of people living in other parts of the world.
Attending a summit full of people related to this topic seems incredible to me.
TV: Do you think that COP16 will achieve greater and better agreements and results? Why?
MD: Regarding the summit, I know that expectations were lowered. The position of the United Nations is to reach a couple of agreements, but also to be able to close them at once and for what happened last year does not happen.
I think the focus will be on the green fund for developing countries and technology transfer. I understand the point of view, I understand that it is better to take a few steps before any other, but I am not convinced. At this rate, it will not be ensured that the increase in the planet's temperature remains below two degrees.
It is my opinion that they continue to blame each other as if they were talking about the future of another planet, of other people. As Al Gore says, the problem with climate change is that it doesn't set off our alarms, because it's gradual and gets us used to it, but more action is needed.
That is why, from my place, I want to involve society: I believe that the role of people will be fundamental. Because when people demand change, change comes.
TV: How and how do you think this experience will enrich you?
MD: In a thousand ways. The people I will meet, the events I will moderate, the talks I will attend to learn. Traveling, meeting people and projects from all over the world opens your head. It will be an enriching experience not only as a journalist, but also as a person.
TV: What kind of coverage are you going to be doing as a journalist?
MD: I'm going to do telephones for TN, for radios, as well as I will write for newspapers and magazines in Argentina and Mexico. I'm still defining more notes and media. On the other hand, if you want to know about the progress of the COP you can enter my blog.
TV: What are your steps to follow upon your return?
MD: I will continue to offer lectures for teenagers, as well as Al Gore's lecture at universities.
The program Pura Energía will continue on the air throughout 2011, I also have other projects for TV and I will continue writing.
Source: Tu Verde
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Authors: Santiago
