Daniel's World: Remembering Phil Clapp

Mittwoch, 22. Oktober 2008

Remembering Phil Clapp

Creating soundbites is a special skill. Talking about complex political matters in a manner that journalists understand; well, to be honest, it´s been one of my lifelong ambitions. One of the best people to learn this from was Phil Clapp. Yes, sadly, was. Phil died recently in Amsterdam. Too early; way to early. It´s difficult to believe that at the next big political meeting, he will not be there. Will not be calmly smiling into TV cameras as well as explaining to civil society colleagues how best to interpret the political results at hand. Phil and I didn´t always agree, for sure. But the thought of him not being there to bounce ideas off of is deeply saddening. The thought of him not being around when the United States finally reengages in the global climate negotiations in 2009 is more than that. It is troubling, as we would have really needed his calm, but determined, voice. Watch some of Phil´s soundbites - a fitting memorial to one of the best spokespeople the environment ever had - here:

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I am Managing Director at Finanzwende working to build a counter power to the financial lobby and transform the financial system. For 11 years, I was the Political Director of Greenpeace International. I was co-leading the global program of Greenpeace and leading a global team of specialists working on issues ranging from protecting the High Seas to disrupting dirty business models and toxic trade deals. Together with that team I was responsible for internal strategy advice to campaigns and external representation at global political and business fora. I also managed the Actions, Legal and Science Units for some time and served on the senior management team of Greenpeace’s global forest campaign and on the European Executive Committee.

From October 2008 to April 2010 I led the Germany program of the European Climate Foundation and was actively involved in stopping new coal plants. From 2004 to 2008 I was also at Greenpeace International. As a Political Advisor, I led work on trade, corporate accountability and climate issues.

Prior to joining Greenpeace first time around, I worked as Head of International Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) for four years.

For me the struggles for social justice and environmental protection are one and the same. I believe political change requires building power and alliances and have therefore initiated many collective efforts. For example, I am one of the initiators of the McPlanet.com conferences and one of the founders of the working group on globalization and ecology at Attac Germany. I am on the Board of Trustees of the Bewegungsstiftung, and a current member of the North-South Advisory Council of the Böll Foundation and was on the membership council of Campact until March 2021.

From 2000 - 2002 I was the Earth Summit Coordinator for Friends of the Earth International. In 2001, I had great fun coordinating the buidling of a “Lifeboat for the Climate” in Bonn.

From 1997-2000 I was a researcher at the Bartlett School of Planning at University College London. I was looking at achieving sustainabilty in cities; mainly because I love cities. The year before, I was living in Bonn serving my country by writing press releases for the youth-wing of Friends of the Earth Germany (BUNDjugend).

For my degree, I studied at Edinburgh University from 1992-1996, though I spent one year at Queen’s University in Canada, learning lots about development and its pitfalls... A lot of my campaigning skills, meanwhile, I learned by volunteering at Friends of the Earth Scotland.

My affinity for Canada comes from having gone to the Canadian United World College: Pearson College. If you have kids, do consider if they may want to apply for a UWC! I have to warn them, though. I am now on the German selection committee (after three years on their board, managing press and PR) ..

In Edinburgh I fell in love with Hibernian Football Club. The rich clubs keep buying our good players, but we are still (sometimes ...) glorious (and, yes, Andy Murray is a Hibs fan too). My German club is SC Freiburg.

Since my Edinburgh days I am also addicted to Detective Inspector Rebus novels and more fond of whisky than I had ever imagined I could be.

Berlin, where I have lived - with a couple of breaks (in Oxford and Amsterdam) - since 2000, is now the (other) place I call home. To be precise: Kreuzberg.

I love kayaking, reading, going to the theatre and cinema, hiking, music (I still try to play the cello) - all the usual middle class stuff. I have a way too loud laugh, but at least I manage to laugh. What really excites me is making the world at the same time a more just and greener place - and creating spaces where people can get active. So, do something!

DISCLAIMER: This site strictly represents my personal views only!