The Firefly - Lighting the Way from Global Talks to Everyday Action

By Hanna De la Vega

At the heart of global climate negotiations lies a paradox: the world gathers to agree on a plan to move forward, yet that path often feels distant to the very people who must walk it. From Dubai to Delhi, from small island nations to big cities, leaders come together at forums like COP28 with the intention of forging unity. But what happens once the speeches end, the documents are signed, and the delegates return home?

The Firefly - a vision that recognizes the power of small lights, dispersed across the globe, illuminating the dark and complex corridors of climate policy with grounded, everyday action.

Why "Firefly"?

The firefly is modest, often unseen during the day, but radiant in darkness. It doesn’t overpower. It signals. It connects. It inspires others to glow.

Much like civil society.

In the climate space, global dialogue forums like the Conference of the Parties (COP) act as gathering grounds for vision and agreement, they’re the lanterns. But lanterns light up limited space. What we need are fireflies, many, everywhere.

• The glow is negotiation: the hard work of alignment, compromise, ambition.
• The wings are implementation: the ability to carry ideas home and translate them into local relevance.
• The swarm is civil society: decentralized but united, small but impactful, diverse but aligned.

What COP28 Taught Us

Held in the UAE, COP28 brought together nations in unprecedented ways, not just heads of state, but youth, Indigenous leaders, scientists, activists, and business pioneers. This is where I met Agustin and the Global Youth Coalition. I attended a meeting, and for the first time, I was invited to sit at the table of discussions. As soon as I joined, I felt welcomed and encouraged to participate and share my perspectives. The space was inclusive, collaborative, and active.

As youth, we are filled with energy and eager to be part of something meaningful. Since then, I’ve committed myself to taking action and making the most of the spaces I’ve been invited into. Not everyone has the opportunity to influence decision-makers. Not everyone can travel to these conferences and learn directly from the negotiations.

Now is the time - to do what it takes and commit to delivering results.

COP gave me insight into what professionals do at a higher level, and since then, I’ve become involved with the Global Youth Coalition. I saw their commitment to creating real change for the planet. The team includes members from all over the world, and it’s been amazing to work with and support people from Italy, Egypt, Ecuador, Bolivia, and beyond. Ultimately… we are one.

Moving forward, I would say COP was okay; the experience was great but I ask myself… What next?

From Pledges to Practice: The Role of Everyday People

COP is a summit. It’s meant to offer a view. But real progress is in the valley, in the daily, mundane, localized choices and challenges that follow.

This is where civil society, you, me, us, steps in.

We are:

• The translators of global language into community relevance.
• The watchdogs, ensuring that promises made at COP don’t dissolve in political smog.
• The innovators, experimenting with new models of living, farming, commuting, consuming.
• The connectors, linking local struggles to global movements.

The Firefly places Words in Action

Like fireflies signaling one another to synchronize their light, we need synchronized action, grounded, visible, and collectively powerful. Last month I wrote about the Avocado Framework, this is an initiative to place our words to action. We know how to make agreements, we know how to get organized, now let’s make it happen. 

Climate Action is a Dialogue, Not a Directive

The power of COP is not just in the decisions made, but in the signal it sends, that the world can come together. The Firefly builds on that momentum by lighting up the spaces between meetings. It’s a reminder that climate action doesn’t belong to policymakers alone. It belongs to us.

Let’s make international agreements feel local. Let’s turn global goals into neighborhood projects. Let’s ensure the light of COP doesn’t fade at the airport gate, but travels home with us, flickering in backyards, classrooms, kitchens, and city councils.

Let’s glow together. Let’s live with purpose. Let’s make the firefly impossible to ignore.