As the COP17 negotiations enter their final few days the pressure is on and the stakes couldn't be higher.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the assembly on Tuesday stoking continued fears that no extensive agreement may be possible in Durban. "We must be realistic about expectations for a breakthrough, or even for our success, in Durban... A comprehensive and binding agreement may be beyond our reach for now,” he said. "Grave economic troubles in many countries... abiding political differences... conflicting priorities and strategies for responding to climate change.” Not exactly words of inspiration from the leader of the global body. But, as is often the case with Ki-moon's addresses, his focus was firmly planted in reality with a touch of optimism. “We must pull back from the abyss. You are the people to pull us back from the edge", he bolstered the delegates,“I therefore urge you: carefully consider the proposals that have been advanced here.... do not create a vacuum."

If I have learned one thing from my time in Durban this past week it is that these issues are far more complicated than I could have ever imagined. With that said, I believe a huge part of the problem is the nature by which the United Nations operates, as a governing body. Its ironic that the COP17 delegation was urged to "be realistic" when the very structure in place often produces and environment of unrealistic potential. Because of this, more distrust and frustration has built up and is pouring out both within the ICC* and throughout the streets of Durban and around the world.

Much of this frustration has been channeled in the various "Occupy" movements around the globe. As I explained in an earlier post, the Occupy COP17 group has brought together people from across the globe to one space, adjacent from the ICC*. It is a sad reality that the economic crisis has fully hijacked the COP negotiations, but certainly not a surprise. Please pardon the pun, but the perfect storm was brewing before we even got to Durban. 

Don't for one minute think that I, or other members of the Inter-Faith delegation are "throwing in the towel" at this point. There are a couple long days left to be spent at the negotiation table and we must remain at the very least hopeful. "We have faith" has been the rallying cry of this year's Inter-Faith Youth COP17 Caravan and that sentiment is more powerful now than at any other point in the past 10 days! We MUST have faith, not only in the potential for a successful outcome in Durban, but also in our future work together as people of faith. We do have faith, now we must show it to the world. Join us in continuing to pray for a positive outcome by week's end, one that puts the planet and its people before profits and power!

*ICC=International Convention Centre (Durban)