News Roundup
‘COPENHAGEN — President Obama called on world leaders to move swiftly to address climate change, and, in a direct challenge to China, pressed for a global climate change accord to include a way to monitor whether countries are complying with promised emissions cuts.’
via Obama Presses China for Accountability on Climate – NYTimes.com.
‘COPENHAGEN Reuters – World leaders tried to rescue a global climate agreement on Friday but the failure of leading greenhouse gas emitters China and the United States to come up with new proposals blocked chances of an ambitious deal.’
Copenhagen, Dec 18, 2009
Today Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, spoke at a press conference.
In response to my question about critics of nuclear power in the west who consider it as a false solution to climate change, Ahmadinejad defended nuclear power, describing it as cleaner than fossil fuels. He denounced nuclear weapons.
“Nuclear energy can be promising for all nations. It is a clean energy, it is also economically viable. And Iran … has the right to use this energy. In our planning we are going to generate 20,000 megawatts of energy through nuclear, as well as use isotopes for medical and pharmaceuticals”
“Those who pollute the most, they are the most demanding.”
The press conference began with a critique of both Marxism and Capitalism. He went on to talk of a new system which will emerge.
“Democracy and freedom which are the basis of human rights are subject to interpretation. In every place there is a different interpretation.”
“God has not created people for some countries to create and amass thousands of nuclear weapons and to impose their will on other countries. … We need fundamental changes, but real changes, that can influence our viewpoint and behavior. This will happen. And we are waiting for that bright future. the future that all human beings are respected. the rights of all nations are respected. Justice and friendship replaces all discrimination and implementation of force”.
“Climate change has inflicted serious damage. In one year our farmers suffered billions of dollars of damage… It was all because of climate change and our people have had no role in that.”
Report by James George
Copenhagen, Dec 18, 2009
The Bella center waits in anticipation for Obama’s statement, hoping for another infusion of hope after Hillary’s conditional offer of creating a $100 billion climate fund. Many are hoping Obama will improve upon the weak outstanding U.S. offer of a 17% emission cut from 2005 levels, equivalent to just a 3-4% cut from 1990 levels.
The police presence throughout the city continued today, with helicopters heard flying overhead as security was high for Obama’s arrival this morning.
Most news teams, excluded from the Plenary hall, gather around preparing to film Obama’s remarks on the monitor.
Report by James George
Police presence continues throughout the city.
‘COPENHAGEN — President Obama arrived here on Friday morning bent on applying a combination of muscle and personal charm to secure a climate change agreement involving nearly 200 countries.’
via Obama Arrives at Climate Talks, Seeking to Wrest a Deal – NYTimes.com.
‘CHICAGO Reuters – The apparently deadlocked effort by delegates from nearly 200 countries meeting in Copenhagen to reach a deal to combat climate change has highlighted the considerable political challenges involved in lowering global greenhouse gas emissions.’
via As climate negotiators stalemate, industry acts | Reuters.
A new music video version of “Secret of the Seasons (Copenhagen Theme), produced by Billy Straus, has been released. Unlike the earlier music video with scenes from Copenhagen, this new version features video from Vermont, including the singer, John Ungerleider, strumming away in the snow, members of the Conflict and Identity Class of the SIT Graduate Institute of World Learning, with just a brief cut to the large climate march in Copenhagen.
‘A confidential UN analysis obtained by the Guardian reveals that the emissions cuts offered so far at the Copenhagen climate change summit will lead to global temperatures rising by an average of 3C.’
‘WASHINGTON – A warning to delegates in Copenhagen: If you’re looking for President Barack Obama to cave to pressure and deepen U.S. efforts to curb greenhouse gases, don’t bet on it.
via Analysis: Obama won’t break new ground at summit – Yahoo! News.
Copenhagen, Dec 17, 2009
Today U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announced that the United States would be willing to participate in an international climate fund reaching $100 billion/year by 2020, conditional upon China accepting “transparency” in carbon emissions monitoring. This offer may remove one major hurdle to a climate deal, the remaining issue being the very weak U.S. emissions cut offer of 17% from 2005 levels (equivalent to a 3 or 4% cut from 1990 levels).
Report by James George