Ye, this is a shockingly belated post and I apologize! You still need to hear about it though...
December 8 – 19, a convoy from our class went to Copenhagen to check out the buzz during the COP 15 Conference.
The United Nations initiative, lasting for two weeks in December, brought delegates together from all over the world to discuss how to address climate change (astoundingly, Stephen Harper very nearly sent a doppleganger in his stead, but did an about-face when Mr. Obama decided belatedly to attend).
While the resulting Copenhagen Accord didn’t live up to the hopes of many, the parallel events and initiatives happening throughout the city were amazing to be a part of. I was thrilled by the energy, passion, creativity and sheer jutzpah that went into organizing lectures, public art installations, concerts, booths, information centres, and much much more throughout the buzzing city.
Scientists believe 2 degrees is the limit for “safe” global warming – i.e. for life as we know it to continue (see Day of Climate Action post)
At one of the parallet events, I attended a teleconference with Otto Scharmer of Theory U and took some funky mindmap notes:
On the first Sunday morning of the conference, a 100,000-strong march washed through the city. I have never been part of such a huge gathering of activists! It was a beautiful, sunny day (albeit COLD); the costumes were fantastic, and there was music to march to. Eventually though there began to creep in a harder edge of anarchy so I headed home.
Greenpeace was in attendance, as was, I'm sure, every other environmentalist within a stone's hurl.
There were also the dwindling but still among us climate change deniers/Those Who Don’t Think Anything Needs to Change.
Yes - Copenhagen is beautiful.
The conference proceedings and the parallel events, juxtaposed, reveal some fascinating contrasts. One was closed-door and elitist; the other embraced participants from all backgrounds and nations. One was carrying the hopes of the world and couldn't live up to the expectations; the other was organized under the radar of most of the world but ended up engaging and motivating thousands.
A lot of people were disappointed and disillusioned by the political outcome of the conference, but the initiative and collaboration apparent in the non-conference actions were truly inspiring.
But let’s not forget – this could be the future if we don’t make some changes! Right now we have a great opportunity for innovation and restructuring of the aspects of our society that aren’t working. Let’s go Team Humans!
Thanks to ex-MSLSer Ben and his lovely girlfriend Mathilde for showing me around the city and giving me a couch to crash on! This just may be my new favourite European city...
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