Energy Crossroads at the COP-15!

Updates from the last few days!

2009-12-14T16:24:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all having a fantastic time at COP, and not getting sick like I am! Or in to any trouble:)

Sorry I have no been able to update before now but the last few days have been really hectic! Friday Michael gave a fantastic presentation as part of a panel on the role of education in climate change, where he presented 'Changing the Game'.

Kai also ran a game at the Youth Arcade while Karsten made a presentation. Alot of people seemed super interested and we got some great feedback.

Saturday was the big demonstration for the 'Global Day of Action' where it was reported that over 100,000 people participated!!! It started out on Parliment Square where a bunch of inspiring speakers took the stage to speak about their personal experiences with climate change. Later everyone marched to the Bella Center....though it was peaceful, it was reported that 900-1000 people were arrested for 3 hours! I personally didn't see this, but can imaginatin the craziness of the situation.

On Sunday I volunteered for EC at the Bright Green Expo, which was a success! We had lots of people interested in the game, which was great. Karsten was filmed for a short narrative about the game, with short clips of the game in action being recorded.

This week is going to be very busy, but please stay tuned for more to come!!!

Best,
Kira

The Youth make some noise!!

2009-12-09T22:05:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone!!

For those of you who are attending the COP I hope you are having a great experience! Today was full of very interesting things...so I will highlight everything I saw.

The plenary held an open meeting today which discussed the role and findings of the CDM Executive Board, and earlier in the morning Tuvalu argued for a tougher legally binding argreement than Kyoto because small island states and poor African countries are the ones most vulnerable to the climate change impact. Other developing countries like China opposed this notion, however Tuvalu's arguement was strong enough that it demanded a halt and suspension of negotiations until the mater could be resolved!

There was HUGE demonstration outside of the plenary for active youth backing the notion of Tuvalu's arguement. Video will be available shortly!!! It really got the message across that small island states DO matter and their voice will be heard!

Youth from Canada also prepared an action to end all Tar Sands, which are destroying their habitat, and endangering the lives of their indigenous people.

Later on Energy Crossroads DK played their first 'Changing the Game' at the COP with a team of 6 chinese people, who not only enjoyed the experience but gained knowledge and insight into the energy planning process. It was certainly a positive response and we are looking forward playing more games in the upcoming days of the COP!

The last demonstration that I saw today was from the African youth delegation who have voiced their opinion that they 'WANT CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW' and that 'Delay is Deniel'.

Tomorrow Energy Crossroads will participate in a Side Event with UNESCO and Yale University about Education and Climate Change in support of the theme 'Youth and Future Generations' Our President, Michael Plesner will be representing EC on the panel. We are very much looking forward to some exciting discussions!

Hope to see you all there!

Cheers,
Kira

First day at the COP!

2009-12-08T01:35:00.004+01:00

Hello!!

For everyone who was at the COP-15 today...I am sure you are experiencing a bundle of mixed emotions from excitement to confusion and beyond...and no worries, because I felt exactly the same way!!

It was an incredible first day however!! The day started with the opening ceromony that included speeches from Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, COP-15 President Connie Hedegaard, Executive Secretary to the UNFCCC Yvo de Boer and many others! They outlined the ambitions and expectations for Copenhagen, stressing the importance of 'Sealing the Deal....NOW'

A bit later on members of the youth constituency YOUNGOS preformed a 'flash dance' for an extensive media crowd, sending the message that they do NOT want a delay in this agreement; that the time is here and now and we cannot afford to wait. It was very inspiring and certainly did send the right message.

ECDK also participated in a side-event that involved a presentation about 'Changing the Game' from Kai and Karsten, followed by some Q&A.

I also had the opportunity to sit in on 2 press briefings...one from the EU Presidency Minister of Environment to Sweden Andreas Carlgren, and one from the US Delegation lead by US Deputy Special Envoy to Climate Change Jonathan Pershing. The EU wants to set a 30% reduction target but feels the US and China desperately to step up the pace and step on board. The US has felt that it has put its best cards forward and will defend its position to reduce emissions by 17% of the 2005 levels. People questioned the basis for analysis as two different baseline years are being used.

TckTckTck also delivered a petition to Mrs. Hedegaard and PM Rassmusan in front of the UNFCCC Press Conference Room...urging for a fair and ambitious agreement here in Copenhagen!

That was all that I had a chance to see, however I know that MUCH much more went on!!!

Please keep checking back for updates...and remember....SURVIVAL IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!!!

Cheers,
Kira

Getting ready for the COP-15!

2009-12-01T16:55:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to make a quick post to get this blog started:) I am sure everyone is excited, nervous and completely overwhelmed with preperations for the upcoming COP-15, including all of us at Energy Crossroads. This will certainly be a once in a life time opportunity, so no matter what...HAVE FUN!

My name is Kira Petersen and I am the Media and Communications Coordinator for ECDK at the COP and I will be updating this blog every other day if not every day on all the different things going on at the COP-15 from youth participation, to the negotiations, cool activities that are coming up, and more.

Please check back soon for updates!

Over and out...for now:)

Best,
Kira