News: Author Archive
‘The EPA ruling that greenhouse gases endanger human health, widely expected after it issued a preliminary finding earlier this year, will allow the agency to regulate planet-warming gases even without legislation in Congress.’
via EPA cleared to regulate U.S. emissions as Congress stalls | Reuters.
‘COPENHAGEN — Two mock gateways set up by environmental campaigners — a fiery red one symbolizing the perils of climate change and a green one representing an international climate accord to address it — greeted delegates on Monday as they filed into a conference center here.’
via Reporter’s Notebook – Under Banner of Urgency, Copenhagen Delegates Tackle Policy – NYTimes.com.
Copenhagen, Dec 7, 2009
Today COP 15’s plenary opening began with a video featuring a small child having a climate nightmare asking leaders to take action action. Next was a performance by a group of popular Danish musicians featuring harp, trumpet, and a Greek-like women’s chorus – hopefully not to imply this 12 day negotiation session could end like a Greek tragedy.
The first speakers was Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen. Some excerpts of his comments:
“The sheer magnitude of our task is matched only by our determination.”
“For more than a year, we have been conducting intensive consultations in preparation for this conference. In that context I have had the pleasure of engaging with leaders from around the world. Your leaders.”
“Without exception, they have been supporting an ambitious agreement to halt global warming. I am painfully aware, that you have different perspectives on the framing and precise content of such an agreement. And I am sure that no one in this hall underestimates the difficulty we are facing in finding a common approach in the coming two weeks.”
“But the political resolve to forge a global agreement is manifest. And differences can be overcome, if the political will is present. I believe it is.”
After a few more opening speeches, the first order of business was to confirm Connie Hedegaard as the new COP 15 President.
A peek inside the plenary hall
Despite it’s extremely poor GHG status – beef was a lunch option at COP 15
Helen Caldicott arrives at COP 15 to sound the alarm over nuclear power.
Tom Goldtooth speaks to the press
‘COPENHAGEN – The largest and most important U.N. climate change conference in history opened Monday, with organizers warning diplomats from 192 nations that this could be the best, last chance for a deal to protect the world from calamitous global warming.’
via 192 nations at UN climate conference in Copenhagen – Yahoo! News.
Dec 6, Copenhagen
Yvo de Boer responded to a question suggesting that military expenses could be reallocated to pay down the enormous historical ’emissions debt’ owed by industrialized nations.
Text of response:
“I was hoping you were going to ask somebody else”
“I think the issues that you raise are very important but historic responsibility is an issue that’s been thoughout these negotiations and one that is very difficult one to deal with. I think that many people would share your sentiments on military spending and probably have a whole lot of ideas, especially on the eve of Christmas, on much better ways to use that money.”
“What I would advocate for this conference – in spite of all the attention – is keep it simple. Focus on an outcome that can deliver immediate action on the ground the day this conference ends. And what I want to see at the end of this conference is a list of rich country targets that are ambitious, clarity on what major developing countries will do to limit the growth of their emissions, and a list of financial pledges that will make it possible for the much broader developing nation community both to change the direction of their economic growth and to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change. That’s what I’m asking father Christmas for.”
Sunday, Dec 6 Copenhagen
Text:
‘I agree with Micheal that you can’t negotiate private capital, but you can drive private capital. And I think if countries here, if industrialized nations agree to a 25 to 40% cut by 2020, and also say they plan to reduce their by 80 to 85% by mid century, then anyone investing in the energy sector and industry not taking that into account would be mad. We know that over the next 20 or so years, about 20 trillion dollars is going to be invested in the energy sector as the world economy picks up. 85% of that investment is going to come from the private sector. And I think that those private sector investments will be guided by those short and long term goals. And if we can use the much more limited public money that will flow from Copenhagen to help the private sector to go that extra green mile that’s not possible within that a normal investment equation, we will have an excellent blending of financial resources to a much greater effect over the longer term.’
Sunday Dec 6, Copenhagen.
Text of Statement:
Well, the time is up. Over the next two weeks governments have to deliver a strong and long term response to the challenge of climate change. And in doing so I see them delivering on three layers of action.
First of all, fast and effective implementation – right away, without delay – on adaptation, on technology, on capacity building in developing countries. Secondly, ambitious commitments to cut or limit emissions as well as start up financing for developing countries and a long term funding commitment. And third, a long term shared vision on a low emission future, for it’s on those three levels that those governments must deliver an ambitions response to climate change over the next two weeks.
I believe that negotiators now how the clearest signal ever from world leaders to craft a solid set of proposals to implement rapid action. Never in the seventeen years of climate change negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together. Almost every day now, countries announce new targets or plans of action to cut emissions, it’s simply unprecedented. I know two things for sure. First, there will be many more steps on the road to a safe climate future but also a few turning points. And Copenhagen must be such a turning point.Thank you.
Copenhagen, Dec 6 2009
The COP15 participants streaming in to the Bella Center to register:
The plane into Copenhagen from Heathrow was packed yesterday afternoon, with a good percentage of the passengers en route to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, known as COP 15.
Today even larger numbers should be arriving, as Copenhagen gears up to receive the expected tens of thousands of COP 15 participants from all over the world. Special guides at the airport brandishing white COP15 T-shirts stood at the ready to provide info and assistance.
Roberto Sanchez was one of the 30 such guides covering the afternoon shift.
Other other not-so-welcoming preparations have taken place here. Anticipating large and potentially unruly demonstrations, police have displayed some 37 ‘cages’ capable of holding 370 people. The police will also be equipped with pepper spray and water cannons, a threatening measure considering the near freezing temperatures here in December.
An overcast “Sunrise” over the harbor in Copenhagen. There are just over 7 hours of sunlight per day this time of year.
‘Organizers had hoped to emerge with an international compact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help countries most threatened by rising sea waters and temperatures. But the divisions between nations are such that world leaders agreed last month to put off resolving the most contentious issues until next year. They will try instead to reach a nonbinding interim agreement in Copenhagen, then work toward a binding treaty in 2010.’
via Negotiators at Climate Talks Face Deep Fault Lines – NYTimes.com.