As Copenhagen prepares for December, a strange combination of Christmas lights, clean energy expos, evergreen wreaths, and security barriers have begun to crop up around the city. It’s an exciting time to be in Copenhagen reflecting on a year of intense pressure, activity, and engagement around the world.
Over the past several months (and years), a growing movement has coalesced around the conference here next month and it’s hard to believe it’s finally almost here. In June, the sleepy German town of Bonn saw hundreds of activists descend in the rain upon the normally quiet Subsidiary Bodies negotiations at the UNFCCC’s home. Thousands around the world participated in the September 21 Global Wakeup Call. Then in Bangkok in October thousands marched outside the UNESCAP building calling for climate action. October 24th saw the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history, spearheaded by 350.org, with over 5,000 events in 181 countries around the world.
And now, rumors of tens of thousands are looming on Copenhagen, including, by my count so far, at least 15 Heads of State who have committed to attending the talks (although Yvo de Boer said in Barcelona that he expects at least 40). [UPDATE: The AP is reporting a Danish official has suggested 65 Heads of State are planning on attending as of Sunday the 22nd of November.]
The last time I wrote, it was a dark and gloomy day in Copenhagen. But today was beautiful—the sun was out, the weather warm, and the bustle on the street was electric.
The last time I wrote, I was convincing myself, and others, that all was not lost for December. Now, on this bright and sunny day, I’m as convinced as ever that world leaders can achieve an ambitious outcome in Copenhagen if they try.
Even in the past week, we’ve seen movement around the world. The Alliance of Small Island states continue to raise its collective voice of conscience against a weak outcome in Copenhagen. We’ve heard that the Chinese would be willing to bring a number to the table in Copenhagen. We’ve seen South Korea confirm a voluntary emissions reduction target of 30 percent below business as usual by 2020. The European Union has said that it would like a binding agreement in Copenhagen. France and Brazil came out with a “climate bible”—an agreement between two nations to work together on climate change. This follows Brazil’s previous announcement of voluntary emissions cuts of 36-39% by 2020 below business as usual in a “political gesture” some weeks ago.
Even the Danish government, which had caused so many hearts to sink with its proposal of a “politically binding” outcome in Copenhagen, seemed to change its tune ... if only just a bit. The Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard (who will chair the negotiations in December), spoke in a press briefing at the close of the preparatory meeting last week, assuring the world that her aim is a legally binding outcome from the negotiations.
Finally, eyes continue to focus on the U.S. In the joint announcement between the U.S. and China, President Obama indicated his team could bring further commitments to the table in Copenhagen. As Copenhagen creeps towards December, the question remains, will Obama come to Copenhagen? And if so, will he come bearing gifts ... or a lump of coal?
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Comments
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kylegracey Posted 1:22 pm
22 Nov 2009
The potential in Copenhagen to develop a financing architecture and improve forest policy is also encouraging. Countries are plenty capable of reaching agreement on many critical issues, even if they fail to tie all the legal bows.
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kenirybird Posted 6:02 am
23 Nov 2009
1) The 40+ organizations involved with the Energy Action Coalition are organizing an "It's Game Time" campaign encouraging President Obama to attend the talks (and to bring gifts, not lumps of coal),
2) A new report released last week, entitled "Generation E" (term coined by Andy Revkin) documents 165 US student clean energy and sustainability projects covering 35 categories in 46 states, featuring creative strategies ranging from revolving loan funds to real-time energy and resource monitoring in residences http://www.nwf.org/GenE (and these stories just scratch the surface of the most creative and effective font of youth activism we've seen in more than 20 years),
3) Our studies show* that most educators are largely letting "Generation E" down by not educating for sustainability, however, one encouraging development is the American College and University President's Climate Commitment (ACUPCC- aka presidents' climate commitment) through which 662 college and university presidents have committed to develop and implement plans to achieve carbon neutrlity, however Columbia, Yale and Harvard Universities have yet to sign the commitment, nor have the other approximately 3,400 institutions of higher education in the US.
If the presidents and trustees at Harvard and Yale were to join the presidents climate commitment and lobby for strong comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation in the US, it would send a powerful message to the U.S. Senate and to President Obama and strengthen our position leading into the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. Meanwhile, "Generation E" stands at the crossroads, facing both the consequences of our collective choices and an unprecedented leadership challenge. Our educators owe it to them to do more. If you or your readers have any ideas for us on the above, please let us know.
*Referenced studies:
"Generation E: Students Leading for a Sustainable Clean Energy Future" http://www.nwf.org/GenE
"Campus Environment: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education: Trends and New Developments in College and University Leadership, Academics and Operations" (covering more than 1,000 colleges and universities and comparing trends in 2008 with 2001): http://www.nwf.org/campusecology
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dbaker Posted 5:10 pm
23 Nov 2009
Dennis Baker
penticton bc canada V2A6Z3
Re : the solution to climate change
(Human Excrement + Nuclear Waste = Hydrogen)
The USA discharges Trillions of tons of sewage annually, sufficient quantity
to sustain electrical generating requirements of the USA.
Redirecting existing sewage systems to containment facilities would be a considerable infrastructure modification project.
It is the intense radiation that causes the conversion of organic material into hydrogen, therefore what some would consider the most dangerous waste because of its radiation would be the best for this utilization.
I believe the combination of clean water and clean air, will increase the life expectancy of humans.
Your Sincerely
Dennis Baker
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dbaker Posted 5:11 pm
23 Nov 2009
penticton bc canada V2A6Z3
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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