Why it matters:
Because it seems like more happened outside the Bella Center than inside, which is bad news.
Recap:
You’ve likely been hearing the news from the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen: raucous outbursts and sharp crackdowns. No, not from the U.N. delegates, (I wish) but from the protesters and police outside the Bella Center.
Reports started trickling early Tuesday morning that Danish police were showing little tolerance for demonstrators outside the conference, and had quickly donned riot gear to disperse the crowds.
A much larger rally was planned for Wednesday, organized by Climate Justice Action, to denounce the lack of effective and just proposals in the UN talks. Protesters were expected to descend on the Bella Center, while NGO delegations inside were expected to stage a coordinated walk-out.
Danish police are said to have made preemptive arrests and many NGO delegations (including Friends of the Earth and AVAAZ) arrived Wednesday morning only to find themselves barred from the conference. Nevertheless, the “People’s Assembly”as it’s being called, went off without a hitch. There are a few confirmed reports of police violence, but for the most part officers are standing down.
Whew. That’s it right?
No, actually. Connie Hedegaard the chief negotiator and President of the COP15 conference (as it’s also known) has resigned! With so many heads of state representing their nations at the conference, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (also a great pro-wrestling name) has decided to take the reigns. Hedegaard will stay on as Rasmussen’s representative and will continue to take part in negotiations.
Elsewhere in the Bella Center, Senator John Kerry was outlining the U.S. position on Climate action. Kerry reiterated the need for Chinese and Indian involvement in a treaty as a precursor to passing effective climate legislation here at home.
Commentary:
“Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!“ Okay, so it’s not quite as bad as that. Sadly, the debate at the conference wasn’t much of a debate at all. Poor and developing nations pled for relief from floods, storms, and drought, while the rich nations offered meager pledges and consolation prizes. The “We will only ___ if ____ promises to ____ as well,” stance from the likes of the U.S., Japan, China, and India crippled the discussion.
The world’s leaders continue to play Russian Roulette with our climate. The sanest people in Copenhagen are the thousands in the streets calling on heads of state to put down the gun. Things are grim when white dread-locked Germans, mimes, aliens, and sign-carrying Santa Clauses of all shapes and sizes represent the logical voices in the debate. But by turning out in the numbers they have, and joining forces with invited guests, these protesters are making themselves heard.
Make yourself heard.
Creative Solutions:
- Check out the World Wildlife Fund’s “Action Guide to Copenhagen”, offering 9 ways YOU can help the effort.
- Fire up Climate Interactive, or…
- At least keep score with the Scoreboard (and add it to your Facebook page).
- Join 350.org.
- Watch the Conference LIVE
