WATCH: Play, music, and dance at #COP21

LE BOURGET, France – Who says climate talks cannot be fun?

It is not all talk and no play at the United Nations climate change conference (COP21) in Paris.

Advocates are finding ways for participants – from diplomats and scientists to obersvers and journalists – to get hooked on the causes they are championing. Many of them are experimenting with art since public protests are banned in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks.

On Tuesday, December 8, a group of civil society groups held a short play beside a replica of the Eiffel Tower at the Le Bourget conference center, where the second week of the climate talks is rolling fast.

The short performance showed a man wearing a “Ministers” sash hesitating to embrace the different demands of advocates, such as long-term climate solutions, review of each country’s climate action plans, and climate finance.

In the end, all demands were embraced as the crowd cheered.

In the days to come, all eyes will be glued to Paris as diplomats and experts rush to save the environment and the future of Earth. At the end of the week, a new international climate agreement – hopefully – is expected. 

The goal is for governments across the globe to agree on reducing their carbon emissions, among other climate actions, in hopes of keeping global warming below 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius – the exact measure remains contentious as the draft agreement is yet to be finalized.

In another area, a different group of advocates are attracting support through dance and music. During the performance, advocates explained what climate change is and why the Paris climate talks matter.

Indigenous groups also performed some songs and dance to promote indigenous people’s rights.

The two-week affair is loaded with political, technical, and scientific talks, making COP21 seem intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with it. 

There are, however, some quirks that can be found in the sidelines of the climate negotations such as climate-friendly chocolate bars, tote bags made from old sweaters, free-flowing apples, and other freebies.

In keeping with the climate advocacy, the entire venue is peppered with charging stations which are powered through cycling. 

Across Paris, different art exhibitions depicting the impacts and solutions to climate change can also be found.

Despite the serious implications of the outcomes of the climate talks, a festive mood triumphs in COP 21. Paris, after all, is the city of love, light, and art. – Rappler.com