[Photos courtesy of Cathie Cordova.]

In the fall I attended the 2009 Governor’s Global Climate Summit (GGCS2), hosted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles. As a member of the Youth Delegation, I was joined by young leaders in the climate movement from Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, Nepal and of course, the United States. It was a truly global event, having delegates and governmental figures, celebs and infamous eco-warriors from all over the world.

Many asked me, “What is a musician doing at such an event?” My answer: “I’m here representing artists and women. My job is to discuss the role of the arts, particularly music, in a movement. And also to beg the question, ‘What would be be able to accomplish in the climate movement if every woman in the world was empowered to resolve the needs in her community?’”

It led to many juicy conversations. It even led to press interviews. (One radio interview is yet to be aired, the video interview… hmm. I will find out where that one went!)

When it came to music and its role in a movement, it was a simple issue for everyone to understand; our dialogue was more of a reminder of the power and resource that is behind the universal language of music. It opens people up in the most unexpected ways. The obvious examples: Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, or Rage Against The Machine.

What was more surprising was the dialogue about women, and where we fit in the world, especially right now. I won’t go into a diatribe on this, you can simply watch this video from The Girl Effect as a quick explanation about why the empowerment of women might be the rising tide we need most.

I want to share a story with you from the GGCS2 instead.

In the Youth Delegation was a young woman in her early twenties from Nairobi, Kenya in  Africa. Her name was Margaret Koli, and she was the Tunza Youth Advisor in Kenya for the United Nations Environment Programme. Margaret and her mother were visiting the United States for the first time. This young woman was articulate, passionate and most of all, honest and open.

Margaret brought from Africa sculptures made of thick wire from snares. These snares were used in Kenya use to catch wild animals for food, such as rhinos (which are practically extinct in Kenya), hippos and geckos. For Margaret and her community, this was tragic, because hunting these animals is a new aspect of her culture. The droughts in Africa caused by climate change have forced the people of Kenya to look to their wild animals as a resource for food in lieu of the missing crops. Keep in mind, these wild animals are Africa’s main source of income through tourism.

When on the youth panel, Margaret described what it was like to not only witness climate change, but witness these animals, die in this manner. Then she unintentionally started to cry. She said, “It’s because I’ve seen the animals die. It is a very sad view to see that.” She shared how young leaders and artists in Kenya have reacted by removing the snares before the animal is caught, and then making the art.

Her tears were potent, and were a surprise to even her. Then Margaret said, “I’m really happy to be here because usually in Africa women are not involved, are not allowed to speak and air their views most of the time. So it’s a big opportunity to be here and I’m thankful for this.”

The room was in tears. Every single person. The history, pain and potency of truth was thick. You can watch the panel here, and her moment starts at the 22:30 minute-mark.

(Sigh.)

One other highlight from the GGCS2 was Dr. Jane Goodall’s speech. Do you remember Jane Goodall, and how she opened our world up to the chimpanzees of Tanzania? She is a tremendous woman, and had said something at the close of her speech that has stayed with me, and so I will end this blog entry with her words, and the words of the indigenous Inuit tribes of the North:

“I have just returned from Greenland, and have a message for you from the Inuit people: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, our icecaps in the North are melting. But we ask you, what would it take to melt the ice of the human heart?‘”

You can watch other speeches from the GGCS2, such as Gov. Schwarzennegger, Harrison Ford, Thomas Friedman and Tony Blair here.