Posted by Emmanuel Smith
Part II of “Are we getting the deal we came for?” will be up soon, but I need to edit some video footage first as soon as I return to the states. I just wanted to say that Pres. Obama was part of a non-legal binding agreement that is now on the table as of about 10pm CET Friday night, 18 December. Apparently the talks are continuing through the night and into the morning tomorrow (Saturday). It’s still unclear about what exactly is being agreed upon, but there is still hope in sight. I am leaving København early in the morning and need to get at least a couple of hours sleep. I will be posting videos and more comments in the days to come so stay tuned.
I would like take time to say, on my last night here in København, that even though the talks did not produce what the world was hoping for, and many things that occurred here this week are simply unacceptable in this day and age, there has been at least some progress. Some of the outcomes have been positive, some them have been suspect at best, but vastly more important is that the people from around the world have spoken, demonstrated, protested, and made themselves heard. Regardless of what the politicians accomplish (or not), the global citizenry is gaining ground and making progress in making it known that climate change is a serious problem that is affecting people all over the world… now, not just 10 or 20 years into the future. And if the momentum can continue to build, world leaders will have no choice but to answer to their constituents. Hopefully it won’t be too late. It will be a long, hard road to get there, and there is so much to do between now and COP16 in Mexico. Those who care simply can not quit.
Chapman at Cop15 