Youth Delegate Anjali Appadurai Speaks Truth to Power at Conclusion of COP17 in Durban

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
onDec 9, 2011 @ 19:48 PST

Perhaps the most powerful speech made in all of COP17 at Durban came at the very end, a statement by Anjali Appadurai, a student at the College of the Atlantic in Maine, who addressed the conference on behalf of the youthย delegates.

Her scornful depiction of the utter failure of the international community to act on climate change – a failure chiefly owned by the largest polluting nations who have caused most of the damage to the global climate – is spotย on.

Watch coverage of Ms. Appadurai’s statement, courtesy of Democracyย Now!

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a freelance writer and researcher specializing in media, politics, climate change and energy. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Grist, The Washington Times and other outlets.

Related Posts

onNov 18, 2025 @ 08:06 PST

Glasman was a keynote speaker at an event hosted by Together, whose leader has accused Keir Starmer of โ€œdestroying Britainโ€.

Glasman was a keynote speaker at an event hosted by Together, whose leader has accused Keir Starmer of โ€œdestroying Britainโ€.
onNov 18, 2025 @ 03:05 PST

Charles Kochโ€™s fortunes were fueled by importing Canadian oil. Now a major Koch-funded law firm seeks to limit Trumpโ€™s tariff powers.

Charles Kochโ€™s fortunes were fueled by importing Canadian oil. Now a major Koch-funded law firm seeks to limit Trumpโ€™s tariff powers.
onNov 18, 2025 @ 00:00 PST

Presence of high-polluting companies erodes trust in the UN process, say campaigners.

Presence of high-polluting companies erodes trust in the UN process, say campaigners.
onNov 17, 2025 @ 10:23 PST

After MEPs voted to gut Europeโ€™s flagship climate transparency law, concerns are mounting that the Big Four will dominate and dilute corporate sustainability audits.

After MEPs voted to gut Europeโ€™s flagship climate transparency law, concerns are mounting that the Big Four will dominate and dilute corporate sustainability audits.