Copenhagen, Dec 6 2009
The COP15 participants streaming in to the Bella Center to register:
News Roundup
Registration at the Bella Center
December 6th, 2009Arriving in Copenhagen
December 6th, 2009The 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.
Negotiators at Climate Talks Face Deep Fault Lines – NYTimes.com
December 6th, 2009‘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.
Copenhagen: The Climate Summit – The Boston Globe
December 6th, 2009‘More than 190 countries will meet in the Danish capital from tomorrow through Dec. 18 to negotiate an international treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The talks are the latest in a series of United Nations meetings dating back to 1992 to respond to man-made global warming, which scientists say is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Here is a look at the science, the summit, and the stumbling blocks to reaching a deal there.’
Obama surprises with Copenhagen summit decision | Reuters
December 6th, 2009‘WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama will attend the end of the Copenhagen climate change summit, a late change of plan the White House attributed on Friday to growing momentum toward a new global accord.’
via Obama surprises with Copenhagen summit decision | Reuters.
Paul McCartney takes Meat-Free Mondays to EU – COP15
December 6th, 2009‘The former Beatle and well-known vegetarian said the production of food — from farm to fork — accounts for 20 to 30 percent of global green house gas emissions. Livestock production is responsible for around half of these emissions.’
Nepalese Government Holds Meeting Near Mount Everest
December 5th, 2009‘Dec. 4 Bloomberg — Nepal’s Cabinet issued a declaration on climate change after an outdoor meeting in the shadow of Mount Everest, in a region where shrinking glaciers threaten rivers essential to development in China, India and Pakistan.’
via Bloomberg.com: News.
Copenhagen climate change talks must fail, says top scientist | Environment | The Guardian
December 4th, 2009‘In an interview with the Guardian, James Hansen, the world’s pre-eminent climate scientist, said any agreement likely to emerge from the negotiations would be so deeply flawed that it would be better to start again from scratch.’
via Copenhagen climate change talks must fail, says top scientist | Environment | The Guardian.
India vows 20-25% carbon intensity cuts – The Times of India
December 3rd, 2009‘NEW DELHI: India on Thursday acquired the tag of a ‘‘responsible’’ global power in climate mitigation when it announced that it would reduce its carbon intensity levels by 20-25% on its 2005 levels over the next 11 years. But in the process, it has possibly taken a step that could restrict its economic options in the future.’
via India vows 20-25% carbon intensity cuts – The Times of India.
Also see India to slow carbon emissions growth by 20-25 pct – Yahoo! News.
India not to sign legally binding emission agreement – The Times of India
December 3rd, 2009‘NEW DELHI: India is not going to accept any legally binding emission reduction agreement at the Copenhagen climate summit, Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.’
via India not to sign legally binding emission agreement – India – The Times of India.