isobelll - with 3 l

Got a place to stay, a mission and a heart to follow. The big climate change meeting in Copenhagen is gonna be huge. Massive in fact. I recently go the question of why I'm demonstrating;

A: "Explain to me why you are protesting. They aren't doing enough or they aren't doing the right thing?"

Me: "Both actually. They aren't doing enough by a long shot and they are - once again - nick nacking about the wrong issues. Sure, Power/transportation/flight/industry are huge climate villains but there is a whole lot more to it. For example, one of the biggest issues as I've said many times before - meat.

And they really, everyone really, have to know and realise that the climate protests in Copenhagen this weekend isn't just cause its cool to be a part of some big (ok, huge) demonstration - its cause its bloody important that we all open our eyes and hearts for the big changes ahead."

A: "So, somewhere in their is praise for the work that they are actually doing, with the power/transportation/flight/industry issues? But you wish to inform them that they need to do more?

While I believe you are sincere, considering the _vastly_ different reasons different people tell me about why they go to this protest (or similar climatic-themed ones), I still think it's generally a tourist-protesting festival."

Me: "I get what you mean but nah. I don't think so. And frankly, it doesn't matter if it is to some people. We need everyone there, no matter what reason they'd like to be there or not. Even as tourists. We need everyone.

If the numbers are right the big as demonstration is gonna hit somewhere between 30 000 to 50 000 people. (reading the news papers today). And deep inside, no matter how naive, there is a voice that says that with these amounts of activists in one spot have to mean something. Have to make some sort of difference. Maybe not to the big people in suits sitting on the actual meeting but the people at home, drinking their tea. They might notice that we've actually got quite the climate problem here on earth and think twice before buying dinner next time. And that's enough for me. Can't have to big hopes, can I?"


I also have to figure out a way to not look like me. TCDG said that anarchists will probably be stopped at the border. Fuck. Uhm. So I need to dress up as an innocent girl? Ok. That could be quite the challenge. I've got either the Anarchist, the queer dyke or the hippie look going for me in my closet. Well, I guess its time to start digging deeper.


COP15 FAQ:


So what is COP15 anyways?
"Welcome to Denmark and the city of Copenhagen! We have the pleasure of hosting the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) taking place at Bella Center in Copenhagen from the 7th to the 18th of December, 2009."  


Who will attend COP15?
Several thousand delegates from the192 countries that have signed the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) will be attending COP15 in Copenhagen this year. These will include heads of state, ministers, senior government officials, and several observer organizations. 

When was the first COP meeting?
The first such conference was held in 1995 in Berlin. It was marked by uncertainty as to the resources the individual participating countries possessed to combat greenhouse gas emissions. This resulted in “The Berlin Mandate", which set a two-year analysis and evaluation phase. This phase resulted in a catalog of measures nations could take to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Member countries could use this catalog to compose their own set of initiatives.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?
Perhaps the most famous outcome of a COP meeting to date was the agreement made in Kyoto, Japan at COP3 in 1997. At this conference, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. This was the first agreement to introduce binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions in 37 industrialized countries from 2008 to 2012. On February 16, 2005 it came into force but several of the UNFCCC never agreed to it and do not acknowledge its requirements regarding emissions — most notably the USA.

What was decided at the last COP meeting?
The biggest recent decision was the Bali Action Plan that came from COP13 in 2007. At that meeting, all UNFCCC countries concurred that an agreement is needed based on a long-term shared vision and four building blocks:

Increased mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
Adaptation to climate change
Technology transfers and development
Financing

What will be discussed at COP15?
Even though there is agreement among the parties behind the UNFCCC that a shared vision should be drawn up to tackle climate change based on the four building blocks, after two years there is still disagreement as to exactly what this vision should include. Organizers will try to reach a global agreement in Copenhagen that will extend beyond the Kyoto agreement and be ratified by all 192 participating countries.

What if an agreement is not reached?
Deliberations will continue into their 18th year (official talks began in 1992) while climate change will continue to affect our planet.

Can I attend the conference?
The conference is only open to the official delegates and select members of the press. It is not open to the general public.

What can I do to ensure COP15 is a success?
Raise awareness and let the delegates know the world is watching. We can help. Go to My Green Pledge and tell the delegates and the rest of the 1.7 billion people on the Internet how you feel about climate change and about COP15. Then ask your friends to do the same.

Demonstrate. Talk. Act. Change your daily life not only for the week of COP15 but for a better future.

Sources:
http://en.cop15.dk/about+cop15
http://www.activebe.com/cop15-faqs.php#STS=g2zduo55.k76

Person of the day: TCDG (The Cute Danish Guy) who I've blogged about before and who's sweet enough to let me crash at his place during my stay in Copenhagen. Thx, Hun!
Soundtrack: The silence before the storm. Soon.... Very Soon.
Youtube: Act now!!