News Roundup
‘COPENHAGEN Reuters – China led calls by developing nations for deeper emissions cuts from the United States, Japan and Europe at U.N. climate talks on Tuesday, as a study showed that this decade will be the warmest on record.’
via China demands more from rich to unlock climate talks | Reuters.
Copenhagen, Dec 8, 2009
The second day of the COP 15 ended with a powerful press conference this evening by Lumumba Li-Aping, lead negotiator for G77 and China.
“The climate change finance should be allocated from a global climate fund … the management of this fund cannot be really given to the World Bank of the IMF for the simple reason – their record on development is an absolute failure.”
Copenhagen, Dec 8, 2009
Tom Goldtooth and other Indigenous People perform a ceremonial purification song as participants stream in for the second day of the COP15 climate negotiations.
‘In the most heated protest of these early days at COP15 in Copenhagen, African representatives accused the political leaders of the developed world of hijacking the conference to the detriment of developing nations.’
via Reuters.com.
‘The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray today after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents that show world leaders will next week be asked to sign an agreement that hands more power to rich countries and sidelines the UN’s role in all future climate change negotiations.’
via Copenhagen climate summit in disarray after ‘Danish text’ leak | Environment | guardian.co.uk.
‘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.”