No snow at the olympics? Blame climate change

So says at least the David Suzuki Foundation, who blame climate change in part for the lack of snow on Cypress Mountain in B.C, home to freestyle ski and snowboard events for the Olympic games.

Olympic organizers are working around the clock to ensure there's enough snow on Cypress Mountain, home to freestyle ski and snowboard events for the Games.

VANOC is currently trucking in snow to make the courses useable for the Olympics. 

According to the CBC, research gathered over a 50-year period showed that the snow season in winters in B.C. are getting shorter by between four and five weeks, with warmer temperatures overall.

Apple's iPad May Soon Be Powered by the Sun

Personally I'm not so impressed by the new iPad - then again, I'm still using the same chunky cell phone I had in high school, so maybe new sleek gadgets to replace old ones every year is not my thing.

Regardless, I was intrigued by this article that suggests that Steve Jobs and co are trying to develop solar chargers for mobile devices like the iPod, iBook, iPhone and the new iPad (by the way, for those who think the name iPad is a weird name, currently "iTampon" is trending right now on twitter as a joke making fun of the name).

Apple apparently submitted a patent application for a new system to control solar cells on a portable device.

If this is true, then I'll get excited and think about getting one of the various "i" devices - or until my chunky 7 year cell phone finally collapses.

Read the article here.

Climate talks heading to Cancun?

In a speech given at a formal lunch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexican President Felipe Calederón said that COP 16 will be organized in Cancun, not in Mexico City as previously thought.

Though welcome news I'm sure for those who've been to previous climate summits in the northern hemisphere (Poznan, Copenhagen), the possible move to Cancun (for whatever political or security reasons) seems to be a bit symbolic of the overall tone of the negotiations post the pressure-bubble Copenhagen: vacation-mode. 

The urgency of the negotiations may or may not be drastically reducing, but moving the UN negotiations to Cancun has some logistical implications: the Cancun Centre has a listed capacity of 8,000. Though COP 16 will most likely not see the surge of Heads of State/Government leaders like Copenhagen did, that is still a pretty limited size and possibly foreshadows restricted access once again to civil society and NGOs, a major issue at COP 15. 

Learning from Copenhagen and letting go

As fast as they came, the UN negotiations delegates, negotiators, press and civil society are high-tailing it out of Copenhagen. The buses and metro stops are now empty, or otherwise filled with anxious people in suits holding luggage. The Bella Centre is quickly becoming just another building in the Copenhagen landscape, despite the drama and events there these last two weeks. And for many who look at the UN negotiations and feel unsatisfied, disappointed, and a lack of closure, we ask - what's next?

Jamie Biggar, a colleague of mine on the Canadian Youth Delegation, wrote a blog post that I feel summarizes what we are suppose to take away from the meaning of Copenhagen, and the hard, but necessary work that must come next.

Here's what he says:

So much time, energy and emotion was invested in the Copenhagen Summit because it was supposed to be “the end” - the moment when the world came together and created a deal that would set the solutions in motion, if not save the world entirely. The political strategy was that a strong global deal would empower people advocating for strong domestic action - regardless of what country happened to be domestic to them.

It didn’t happen, and in the process it has provided a lesson in raw power and resistance.

The Canadian and US governments came to the negotiations with targets that they and everyone else know would commit the world to climate catastrophe. The targets they brought are not shaped by science, not shaped by ethics and morality, not even shaped by a basic self-interested cost and benefit analysis - they are shaped by the power politics of countries where fossil fuel industries and anti-government ideologies have enormous sway. From Canada’s tar sands and anti-government minority government to America’s globally dominant oil companies with their lobbyists, campaign contributions and Manufactured Doubt Industry, to the conservative Democratic senators from coal states that hold US climate legislation hostage, the anti-climate action forces hold strategic levers in our politics. This is what raw power looks like, and I confess that it filled me with rage.

We could have had a bad deal that would have locked in these catastrophe targets if it wasn’t for the heroic resistance of some of the poorest countries in the world - led by small island and African countries who know they will suffer the worst catastrophes unless we peak emissions soon and get back down to 350ppm. These countries were backed up by global civil society, by tens of millions of people who rallied and organized to demand a fair, ambitious and binding deal that would peak emissions within a decade, provide support for the most impacted, and create a pathway to a global convergence of per person use of the atmosphere. I’ve never seen resistance like this, and it fills me with determination.

In Canada we set out to make climate leadership a major issue for Canadians, and to make sure that our government knows it. We’ve succeeded on both counts. Thousands of Canadians have taken civic actions for the first time. Millions of Canadians have been engaged by the issue and watched in horror as their minority government ruined their reputation and abdicated its responsibilities to protect its people and secure their prosperity. With countless phone calls and actions we’ve helped significantly shift politics in Ottawa, most obviously by getting the Liberals to join the Bloc and NDP in passing a motion that called for world class scientific targets to come from Copenhagen. As for the Conservatives, they are betting everything on the assumption that the movement will just dissipate now that the Copenhagen Summit is over. They are wrong.

Things have changed. There is a massive and mobilized movement of Canadians who are not going away. We have watched our minority government choose catastrophe and we’re never going to stop until Canada is a climate leader. We have learned from the Copenhagen Summit that we need to develop raw political power. We can let go of the promise of the Copenhagen Summit knowing that the Summit is now a beginning, and not an end. We can turn rage into passion. We can turn our sadness into determination.

What started as a movement to tell our government what Canadians wanted in Copenhagen must now become a movement to develop raw political power - the ability to put a climate leadership government in power and ensure that it follows through with policies that work for the climate and benefit people. In the new year it will be time to build a political movement with thousands of organizers that can engage millions of people in civic action. In doing so we will collaborate with our friends in the US, jointly working on our shared political challenges.

But that’s at least a couple of weeks from now, now it’s time to enjoy a well deserved rest. Willpower is like a muscle, over time it is strengthened by use, but in the short term it can be worn out. Half an hour ago I almost lost it because my power cord was tangled up with other wires and I couldn’t get it to go where I wanted it to. Sleep, fun and community are the remedy for near burn-out, and so in retrospect I am very glad that the Copenhagen Summit was scheduled right before the holiday season.

For now we can rest knowing that we’re in it to win it, and thanks to all the work that we did this fall we’re about to get a lot stronger.'

From my own perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed working on this blog and covering the climate change negotiations and the people, events and stories coming out of this seminal conference. I will be taking a break from the blog for the Christmas break, but will be back in January to begin to assess where we go from here, and to track the work and the negotiations as they move forward towards Mexico city and the G8 and G20 to be held in Canada.

Thank you so much everyone, and see you next year!'

Jasmeet

Obama has 'wrecked the UN' - anger and disappointment at Copenhagen accord

Addressing a pack press room at 10:30 pm local time in Copenhagen, Barack Obama declared last night that there had been a "meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough" that had been reached amongst five countries (not including Canada), though much work still needed to be done to reach a legally binding treaty.

Though the negotiations are still officially continuing today, this 'Copenhagen accord' seemed to have been the inevitable conclusion of Barack Obama's scripted visit to the summit - make a general, but moderately encouraging speech to delegates to work together, several secret, behind-door meetings to give the illusion of last-minute progress, and the announcement of a weak accord that falls short of committing any nation to pollution reductions and calling it a 'success' - and still its considered a "first step" and not legally binding.

Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org sent out a statement:

"This is a declaration that small and poor countries don't matter, that international civil society doesn't matter, and that serious limits on carbon don't matter. The president has wrecked the UN and he's wrecked the possibility of a tough plan to control global warming. It may get Obama a reputation as a tough American leader, but it's at the expense of everything progressives have held dear. 189 countries have been left powerless, and the foxes now guard the carbon henhouse without any oversight."

Friends of the Earth:

"Climate negotiations in Copenhagen have yielded a sham agreement with no real requirements for any countries. This is not a strong deal or a just one -- it isn't even a real one. It's just repackaging old positions and pretending they're new. The actions it suggests for the rich countries that caused the climate crisis are extraordinarily inadequate. This is a disastrous outcome for people around the world who face increasingly dire impacts from a destabilizing climate..."

In an editorial in the Guardian this morning:

"Only two years ago, the world's leaders swore this would be the summit to build a new carbon order. The threadbare agreement thrashed out last night has not even laid the foundations. The progress on financial assistance over the fortnight is welcome, but with much of the money earmarked for climate adaptation, the global community is left resembling an alcoholic who has decided to save up for a liver transplant rather than give up drink."

Immediately after Obama's press conference speech, roughly 300 environmental advocates descended upon the Bella Centre to call out to the delegates who were leaving the negotiations, "history will judge you," and "shame on you Obama". Standing amongst the crowd last night in the wee hours of the morning in the freezing cold, it was such a visceral moment of dread, that for them, and for many people around the world, the 'Hopenhagen' dream had ended, and the real chance to create a global climate treaty had slipped away. Literally on the outside looking in, for many, the negotiations had compromised their future.

Tuvalu, Bolivia and other countries have also protested against the new so-called agreement.

They are still talking at the negotiations today, with even rumours that they will extend until Sunday. Most world leaders are quickly leaving Copenhagen after their drop-in visits. An update from a friend still working inside the Bella Centre from 2am:

"Rasmussen (Prime Minister of Denmark and President of COP) is getting a grilling and is surrounded by Secretariat people looking stern, meanwhile the delegates in the room have started taking photos of the huddle that is taking place on the stage....It's all a bit embarrassing for the United Nations I think...firstly the negotiating teams didn't get a workable agreement ready for the politicians to sign, and now they appear to be bungling the final stages....it's a good thing Obama isn't here anymore I think..."

The last day - Moving on from Copenhagen

Today is the last day of the UN climate change conference here in Copenhagen. Shortly into the evening, or into the wee hours of the morning, we'll get news what, if anything was accomplished at this conference, and the spin that world leaders, NGOs, and the press will be pushing forward about the meaning of these last two weeks.

Perhaps once the whirlwind and the glamour of the conference has wrapped up, and the Bella Centre in Copenhagen quietly empties, we'll realize the long-term effects of this conference had for the future of our climate, and whether indeed Copenhagen will be known as the moment where the world finally got its act together, or failed miserably and doomed many populations to disaster, both now and in the future. 

Today, the mood amongst the Canadian Youth Delegation has been a sombre one based on the progress of the negotiations. Harper's disappearing act, and his decision not to address the UN plenary has also been disappointing.

“By not addressing the Assembly, by not being chosen to meet with President Obama, and by not being selected to participate in a late-night discussion amongst the thirty most important countries of the world, the Canadian government has lost its credibility on the world stage,” said Rhiya Trivedi, a youth delegate who has been intensely tracking the policy developments. 

In action planned today to coincide with Canada winning the 'Colossal Fossil' award, Canadian youth held up signs declaring "there is no more time for Tim Hortons, we need climate leadership," referring to the the first time the UN General Assembly convened to address climate change in September, and Harper instead attended a photo shoot at a Tim Hortons.

Gillian Cerbu, another youth delegate explained, “This action is meant to highlight the Harper government’s lackadaisical attitude towards global warming and lack of badly needed leadership in moving forward on a fair, ambitious and legally binding climate treaty.”

Regardless of the outcome, there have been a lot of personal triumphs for the youth here in Copenhagen, both Canadian youth and international youth. Many were able to give voice in these negotiations for the first time in a very big way, where often there voices are marginalized or shut out of a process that ultimately determines the world that they will be living in. 

One thing I know for sure, is that the work does not end here. It's already clear that whatever comes out of Copenhagen certainly will not be enough, or will inevitably be a weak political agreement. Whether there will be more interim conferences scheduled for next year, or if COP16 in Mexico City will have the same urgency as Copenhagen, climate change needs to continue to be an issue on the table and at the front of mind of all Canadians. Canada especially, has taken a hit at these negotiations, called the #1 climate criminal in international newspapers and global commentators. I can only hope that moving forward, not only can we be proud of the climate policy we put forward, but that our image as a cooperative and friendly nation can be restored.

 

Canada wins 'Colossal Fossil' for second year in a row

Canada has won the 'Colossal Fossil' award this morning, its second year in a row for winning the award given to the country that has done the most to obstruct the UN climate negotiations.

The annual award was presented at a large warehouse space in downtown Copenhagen for the first time, after access to registered non-governmental organizations to the main conference centre (where world leaders were speaking) were restricted to only 300 people inside.

Here's a twipic from the event with "Stephen Harper" accepting the award.

NGO convergence space in downtown Copenhagen where live feeds of the UN negotiations are playing.

The Colossal Fossil award is given to the country that has accumulated the most Fossil of the Day awards during the duration of the UN negotiations. Canada has racked up these awards for various reasons, including using a 2006 instead of a 1990 level baseline, for coming to Copenhagen without being flexible on its climate policy, and for leaked documents that suggest that Canada wants to aim for even weaker targets. The awards are determined by Climate Action Network International, a coalition of over 400 NGOs that vote on the winners of the award based on the daily negotiations every afternoon.

Obama "has disappointed the whole world."

Barack Obama addressed the United Nations climate change conference this morning, in the most highly anticipated speech of the conference.

And it changed nothing.

Like anything Barack Obama does, there are high expectations. His speech at the negotiations to many civil society members watching in the NGO convergence space several kilometres away from the conference centre, was disappointing.

His speech concluded to the resounding sounds of boos from the NGO members, who had gathered in the new convergence space downtown after being decisively barred from entering the conference space due to security reasons and lack of space.

According to a report from the Guardian, "there was a palpable sense of disappointment in the audience."

The main source of the frustration seemed to stem from the fact that Obama, often viewed as the messiah to this conference, offered no indication to embrace bold measures to prevent two years of wasted effort from ending in total collapse, or some say even worse, a bad political agreement.

"It was too general, it lack specifics, it didn't address issues of justice, and let's be honest, his targets are still extremely low," said Miruna Su, from the UK. 

"Obama's presence here definitely adds to the pressure to get a deal, but we need to make sure its not a bad deal for the sake that leaders don't want Copenhagen to be a failure."

Canadian youth delegate Yvonne Su emphasized after watching the speech that Obama missed a huge chance to change the course of the climate talks that could have truly been historic.

"I don't think its unfair to place these high expectations on Obama. I feel like he set himself up in his campaign, when he talked about climate change for high expectations. When the world relies on these promises, and he doesn't deliver, we are going to get disappointed. The worst part is now, we don't know where to look for hope."

Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, released a statement saying:

"The President is right that the endeavours in Copenhagen will go down in history - but unless we see a massive shift in the US position, it will be for all the wrong reasons.

"If the President's idea of action is to cut US emissions by 4 per cent on 1990 levels then we're heading for climate catastrophe. Barack Obama should have taken the opportunity to up his proposed cuts to at least 40 per cent by 2020 and ditch carbon offsetting.

"Obama has deeply disappointed not just those listening to his speech at the UN talks - he has disappointed the whole world."

Transcript of Prentices' speech at UN Plenary

"We have come to Copenhagen to secure a fair, effective and comprehensive climate change agreement. We need an agreement that will put us on a path toward ambitious reductions in greenhouse gases and sustainable, low-carbon economic growth. An agreement that will ensure a growing supply of clean, affordable energy for all countries. An agreement that brings countries together to address our shared global economic and environmental challenges.

Canadians of all ages and in all regions share a profound interest in contributing to effective global action on climate change.

A new global agreement should consist of a single, comprehensive undertaking that includes measurable, reportable and verifiable commitments and actions covering the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in developed and developing countries.

To be as fair and effective as possible, a new global agreement should support mutual confidence, and encourage countries to assume increased ambition over time.

It needs to speed the development and deployment of clean, low-emitting technology.

And it needs to support enhanced global action to help the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

Canada is ready to contribute its fair share, as part of a comprehensive global agreement, including fast-start funding.

Achieving such an agreement will require a renewed commitment to work together, a renewed partnership among all nations and governments. It is only through the efforts of all of us that we can protect the most vulnerable among us, including those communities and ecosystems that depend on ice and snow.

Let me conclude by recognizing the United Nations and the Government of Denmark for their tireless efforts and leadership on climate change. Canada will continue to act at home, to align its policies and commitments with those of the Obama Administration, and to work in partnership with all countries, developed and developing, who are committed to effective global action on climate change."

Harper in town...but not seen

So the word is that Harper has finally arrived in Copenhagen, but has yet to be seen.

Apparently he is leaving Canada's address to the plenary tonight to Environment Minister Jim Prentice and instead will be dining with other leaders.

Harper and Prentice have also not responded to earlier requests to meet with the Canadian Youth Delegation in Copenhagen, though I clearly remember Prentice looking us in the eye in Ottawa back in October and saying "see you in Copenhagen!" The lack of access to our elected leaders here in Copenhagen seems to signal the general trend in the shutting down of transparency here for the UN negotiations. Only 300 civil society members were allowed inside the Bella Centre, compared with the roughly 30,000 or so that were registered. 

There is concern that this is the beginning of a process to "greenwash the outcome" - as in the pressure to create a deal even if its a bad deal because Copenhagen is committed to having a "success". That being said, tomorrow is set to be the most momentous day here for the UN negotiations, and Obama's speech in particular could set the course for the future of these negotiations once the glamour of the Copenhagen summit is over.

Will a fair, ambitious and legally binding treaty be in the works? Will Canada continue to be the new international climate villain? The next 24 hours will tell...