Reflections – Part One

Upon entering the airport – the first sign greeting passengers –

The Waste from Your Flight Could Heat This Building Two Hours.

Next – at every turn throughout the city were HOPENHAGEN signs.

Maybe its time to add an America “Hope” to get Climate Legislation passed in the Senate, while looking forward to Bonn and Mexico.

The people behind Hopenhagen are volunteers from all over the advertising, marketing and communications industries who have donated their time and resources to the campaign’s creation.

They created the campaign in support of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, when, a little over a year ago, sensing he would need help to create the momentum required to get to a strong deal at COP15, he approached the industry for help through the International Advertising Association.

Check it out and join - http://www.hopenhagen.org/mission

Back in the USA

Back in the USA - still in the glow of the many candles lighting the city of Copenhagen and the warm welcome we received. The joy of the season, our annual Solstice bonfire and party, welcoming back the sun, the family Christmas in Vermont has given me further resolve to lower my carbon footprint and work towards encouraging others to get involved in the effort to reverse the adverse effects of climate change for all the worlds’ kids and grand kids.

While HOPENHAGEN created an atmosphere of optimism and encouragement, to quote President Obama, COP 15 was, ”Less than many had hoped,” and we will need to redouble our efforts here in convincing Congress to pass meaningful climate legislation.

The last picture I took at the airport before boarding the plane - first stop Iceland - was the poster of the Danish Prime Minister apologizing for the lack of success, courtesy of the NGO tcktcktck.

The oft quoted, “legislation is like sausage making” doesn’t hold a candle to making agreements among 192 countries of the world that have their own “special interests”.

Countries agreed by consensus on a compromise to "take note" of the Copenhagen Accord, instead of formally approving it which calls for reducing emissions to keep temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.

Next steps will include:
Emission targets must be submitted by 1-31-2010
with no legal obligation, richer nations will finance a $10 billion-a-year, three-year program to fund poorer nations' projects to develop clean energy
Mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020 for the same adaptation and mitigation purposes

Give a gift to the Planet your children and grandchildren by cutting your carbon footprint in 2010. All our friends from around the world deserve Climate Justice. You can help those in the developing, low lying countries and Pacific islands by becoming more energy efficient.

Best Wishes for the New Year!

Latest Notes from COP 15

Wednesday 12/16/09
Nice suit! Everyone in his company has this special suit; a special order from Singapore. Turns out he, Paul Vaiagafa of Recharge, had a beer with Governor Baldacci in Spain during the trade trip a few months ago. “ Say hi to John,” he said! Recharge is “The Global Source for Renewable Energy News.”

Still hoping for a FAB – Fair, Ambitious and Binding agreement here but…

Lots of criticism of UN due to poor planning to manage the thousands of people here. Yesterday, I waited in line for 2 hours – freezing cold - they even sent out the “national guard” to serve free coffee and tea – through the fence. They even managed to put up signs “Free Coffee Courtesy of the Danish Government” - totally limiting access to the event - even the subway station is closed at the Center.

Lots of back room negotiations going on prior to heads of states arrivals. “Civil Society” is being cut off due to security and capacity reasons. Fewer and fewer NGOs will be allowed in the finals days. I managed to see the opening meeting of the high level session, more ceremonial than substantive. Al Gore was in the audience and Prince Charles spoke. I will catch Gore tonight off site at a venue near our flat, the old Carlsberg Brewery.

I caught NY Times, Tom Friedman in a discussion with Danish Minister of Economics and the CEO of the largest shipping company in the world. What is the role of government, business and the people in transiting to a green economy? TF – “Green is the new Red, White and Blue” America is the problem and we need to push our leaders. Nothing new but his sound bites pleased the audience. Shipping i.e. bunkers, is a huge issue re the negotiations.

Ran into DEP Commissioner Littel – He has been very busy here at different side events. Missed his talks so far but he did offer to come and repeat them in Maine

CAN I (Climate Action Network International) have over 500 NGO’s as members – Sierra is one – and leads the groups in their advocacy efforts. Also collectively, awards the Fossil of the Day Award – US has managed to receive two so far: No commitment on long term financing and low target on emissions reductions.
Fossil press releases and videos can ALWAYS be found here:
http://www.fossiloftheday.com/

Inside the Bella Center:
http://connect.sierraclub.org/post/Groups/Copenhagen_Climate_2009/blog/videos_sierra_club_voices_from_copenhagenpart_2.html

http://connect.sierraclub.org/Groups/Copenhagen_Climate_2009/blog

http://tweetphoto.com/6416430

THE March & Beyond

Its been an exciting weekend. Here is the pictures of the candlelight ceremony at the end of the long long march. Long because of the numbers of people with banners and signs and just slow moving. All told around 60,000 people plus the anarchists that were arrested. We where very close when the riot police arrived after huge fire crackers exploded. Didn't seem to be any reason for other than making a scene. Some of teh placard were great- "bla bla bla- act now" and the like. Most of us met for dinner followed by a fabulous tour of an outdoor photo exhibit of pictures of 100 places that may not be seenagain if we don't act to curb GW.


Sunday, Desmond Tutu gave an inspiring speech at city center to the world and presented the UN with over 500,000 signatures asking for Climate Justice. After today our access will be limited to the Bella Center sue to the numbers and security but there are many other activities going on that we can take part in.

Last evening many Sierrians had dinner with the Blue Green Alliance. Today they begin a World of Work Pavilion - Unions have the Solution.

Livable Communities Tour

This picture is Commuting Danish style. Today I joined a US DOT organized bus tour to explore how livable communities effect transportation emissions. Copenhagen is know as on of the most liveable cities in the world.
• Since 2002 it has had one of the most state-of-the art transit systems in the world
• Transit oriented development is a priority
• Copenhagen has a “finger plan” of connecting riders to public transit and beyond which is a result of rail infrastructure built in advance of demand to steer growth in desired in desired areas
• Sixty percent of residents live within 15 minutes walk of green spaces or ocean parks
• Today 36% of its residents choose to go by bike to work

The Minister of Technology and the Environment joined us to explain proudly the various areas where they had made changes or planned changes in transportation systems to promote pedestrians and bicycle ridership and safety. Over one popular bridge an electronic bike counter at 10am, showed that 19,000 bikes had passed; according to the officiasls, generally it will be up to 37,000 a day pass over this bridge coming into the main area of the city. and the I should point out that cars are discouraged by the 180% tax. Most people, if they have cars, don’t get them until in their 40’s. The minister also explained that it is cheaper to build bike lanes than highways. While its hard to think of riding a bike in Maine during a snow storm, he also pointed out that its not the weather that is the problem it a clothing problem. Of interest is that each biker when registering the bike receives a micro chip for the bike in case of theft the police can search for it.

COP15 is still suspended. Not sure what is happening in the back rooms. Hopefully the negotiators are working on a resolve of the TUrvulu questions. Meanwhile all the side events and demonstrations carry on.

Secretary of Interior Salazar spoke today, rather positively about Clean Energy Jobs as a growth industry, using public lands for renewable energy and the their importance in combating climate change in carbon sequestration (CCS) Unfortunately he went on to recommend CCS research and the need to continue using coal.

Ken Cline and I at the island of Samao. The day are still very cloudy and gray.

COP 15 Stalled and More

Today the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu demanded that two legally binding treaties that commit developed and developing countries make major reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions by the end of COP 15. They requested that a new set of commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, plus another agreement that puts countries like the United States, which are not part of Kyoto, into the mix.
Several other small island countries and African nations agreed. Tuvulu asked for a formal working group be formed to study their proposal. This set off major objections from larger countries, as well as China and India. This brought the conference to a halt. Stay tuned.

Ken Cline, 3 COA students and I journeyed to the Island of Samso, my ancestral home land to tour the Energy Academy with Soren Hermansen who inspired Vinalhaven to set up their turbines. An adventure by train and ferry and bus which was well worth the effort. Three Japanese and a Chinese reporter were on the ferry with us and joined the local bus ride with us to the site. Later we learned that a representative of the Japanese delegation and former negotiator at the Kyoto COP was one of them. More on that visit later.

This pictures is at the Climate Exchange - a display booth of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation. Today stood in line for about 2 hours before we could get into the building to get our credentials. High security - like going thru an airport. Yesterday there was a bomb scare which turned out to be a suitcase of clothes.
I met some folks from around the world. The clothing of those NGOs and delegates from Peru and some of the African counties are especially attractive mixed in with all the black suits of the officials.

Sierra Club folks are meeting once a day. We learned today we will be meeting with the US Delegation tomorrow. The US State Dept. is in charge of all negotiations - the chief of the delegation is Jonathan Pershing. He will brief us and take a few questions. This will be our opportunity to push for our ambitious agenda.

As one walks around the exhibition hall of NGOs, one can get pretty depressed at the outcomes that could happen if we don't act soon. Everyday, International Climate Action Network )ICAN) selects a "Fossil of the Day" with a big rally around the presentation event. Today's award went to the world's industrialized countries.

Besides ICAN, the club has joined Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) - the TCK TCK TCK Campaign to make action happen - doesn't deal with policy. Works with the 350.0rg group and will be organizing the march on Dec. 12th and meetings with Desmond Tutu on Sun. We will also be having a dinner with Blue Green Alliance folks on Sunday.

The youths, I was told by Brook Welty, had a huge rally this am and I saw the China Youth Delegates in a photo opt position rallying there group. Of course I can't say what their message was. However, everyone does speak English which is a big help.

While searching for the COP15 bus today, I went to information at the train station. He saw my Cool Communities "COOL" button and said - oh you have a badge - your trip will be free. And the bus driver nodded my "badge" and nodded me on. Interestingly - the bus drivers switched mid-trip. The departing driver waved and wished us all a good meeting.

We are looking for FAB - Fair, Ambitious and Binding deal here.

Keep warming well below 2 degrees C.
Industrialized countries as a group must take a target of more than 40% below 1990 levels by 2020.
Developing countries must be supported in their efforts to limit the growth of their industrial emmissions, making substantial reductions below business -as-usual.
Developed countries need to provide at least US$195 billion in public financing per year by 2020, in addition to ODA commitments for developing country actions.
Double counting must be avoided.
An adaptation action framework that immediately and massively scales up predictable and reliable support to developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change
Copenhagen outcomes must be legally binding and enforceable.

Arrived in Copenhagen

Chilly and foggy when I arrived. Seems like winter but no snow. Toured the major area of the city where all the Summit highlights will be held. Our landlady attended the Copenhagen Climate Exchange Expo with me and we were very impressed by all the emphasis on climate and renewable energy. I met up with the Energy Academy folks from Samso and will be heading over there on Wed. by train and boat for a tour. It was the closing day of the Expo and the Danish Minister of Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard spoke. The crowd was please when she said the grass roots have created the pressure it took for many heads of state to come here. "THe political pressure has worked and we need to continue. Things are moving in the right direction. We have the knowledge ... we know the solutions. The time is now. Keep the pressure on - not just for an agreement but an ambitious agreement. The world needs this very much."

She was strong in her statements about we can't wait another six months or a year. Lets just come out of here wiht a strong agreement.

On the Road to Copenhagen

Counting down to Sat. the 5th . Flying via Iceland to Copenhagen. Hope to see and hear President Obama on the 19th. Keep in touch for all the accounts of the Summit - hopefully day by day starting Monday the 7th.