Tens of Thousands Take to the Streets in Copenhagen to Demand Stronger Climate Action

Organizers quoted police at having counted 100,000 present at rally –

I can see Bull Crap from my House

Sarah Palin writes a “rogue” (read: insane) review of Copenhagen climate negotiations.

“With the publication of damaging emails from a climate research center in Britain, the radical environmental movement appears to face a tipping point. The revelation of appalling actions by so-called climate change experts allows the American public to finally understand the concerns so many of us have articulated on this issue.”

Join me in hell, after the jump.

While Palin believes the stolen email incident disproves the need to act on climate change, other brains around the world would differ:

Speech by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri at COP15/CMP 5 on December 7, 2009

He addresses the stolen emails in the last two paragraphs of his speech beginning with:

“The recent incident of stealing the emails of scientists at the University of East Anglia shows that some would go to the extent of carrying out illegal acts perhaps in an attempt to discredit the IPCC.  But the Panel has a record of transparent and objective assessment stretching over 21 years performed by tens of thousands of dedicated scientists from all corners of the globe…”

And from her own country:

25 leading U.S. scientists sent an open letter to Congress:

The letter states that “The body of evidence that human activity is the dominant cause of global warming is overwhelming. The content of the stolen emails has no impact whatsoever on our overall understanding that human activity is driving dangerous levels of global warming. The scientific process depends on open access to methodology, data, and a rigorous peer-review process.”

It also states that: “opponents of taking action on climate change have misrepresented both the contents and the significance of stolen emails to obscure public understanding of climate science and the scientific process.”

The letter also underscores the importance of scientific integrity to climate research. “The scientific process,” the letter states, “depends on open access to methodology, data, and a rigorous peer-review process.”

Sarah Palin is spreading false information, plain and simple. In this case, the stakes are too high. She should be ashamed.

Tuvalu: “The fate of my country rests in your hands”

Representative of Tuvalu addresses the UN:

“It has been said in the media that I am trying to embarrass the country of Denmark. This is not my intention at all…

“…Madame President, I know that you tried to visit Tuvalu, though you did not make it. Had you visited, I think you would understand our position. Our entire population lives within 2 meters of sea level… I understand that we are waiting for the US senate. It is ironic that we are waiting for one country to decide before the international community can move forward. President Obama was currently in Sweden accepting a noble prize, whether rightly or wrongly. For him to honour his noble prize, he should address the greatest threat to humanity, climate change, and the greatest threat to human security,  climate change. This is not just an issue of Tuvalu… millions of people around the world are affected. This is not just Tuvalu. Over the last few days I’ve received calls from all over the world, offering faith and hope that we can reach a conclusion on this issue. Madame President, this is not a media trip for me, I have refused to take media calls on this issue. As a humble servant of the government of Tuvalu, I have to make a strong appeal to you that we consider this matter properly. I don’t want to cause embarrassment to you or the government.

“… I want to have for the leaders an option to consider a legally binding treaty. We’ve had our proposal on the table for 6 months. 6 months, it’s not the last two days of this meeting. I woke this morning, and I was crying, and that’s not easy for a grown man to admit. The fate of my country rests in your hands.”

Connie’s response:

“Thank you for your strong statement. I would assure you that two legally binding instruments are our goal. No option is taken off the table.”

Naomi Klein Meets Canadian Youth in Copenhagen

The journalist touted with launching the anti-globalization movement met with Canadian youth in Copenhagen to discuss our country’s role in the climate treaty negotiations and the need for large-scale change.

Klein highlighted the need for the issue of the Tar Sands to be brought to the table before an honest and fair conversation on our climate’s future may begin.

While negotiations enter a third day of suspension, private conversations continue to take place behind closed doors. This may result in excluding representatives from impacted communities and civil society that despite holding a large stake in reaching a solution, will not have access to the conversation. In this way, developed nations are able to sidestep their historical and scientific responsibility to reach a legally binding treaty to safeguard generations of the future.

Canadians have sent a clear message that climate change is a personal priority. However all their efforts in cycling and changing light bulbs are negated by the government’s refusal to reign in the world’s most environmentally harmful project, the Tar Sands.

Climate change is presenting itself as the issue of our time. As Klein reminded the Canadian Youth Delegation, we are witnessing the disappearance of whole civilizations. Despite this – Canada has yet to face sanctions for failing to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. Some argue that this undermines the very principles of multilateral organizations. Klein advocates for “a reawakening of the memory that we are some of the architects of international law”. At this time, Klein says, “The [countries of]  G77 is leading – it would be nice if we just followed”.

Protesters Arrested in Copenhagen

Police spokesman Henrik Moeller Nielsen said the detentions were preventative to avoid disorder. There were no reports of violence.

Read more here

This follows days after police raid the accommodation of 200 activists in Copenhagen  – staying in government provided housing.

About 200 police arrived at the shelter on Ragnhild Street, in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, at 2.30am. They locked activists into the building for two hours, and searched some of the nearby properties. Campaigners say they took away various items including a power drill, an angle grinder, and some wooden props. No arrests were made.

Read more here

Appealing to Harper’s Human Side

This earth is great. It’s used for growing crops and burying evidence. However, at the Copenhagen climate treaty negotiations Canada is not on board.

With Canada consistently taking an obstructionist role at these negotiations, civil society has been unable to motivate negotiators to take on a constructive role by appealing to their emotions or ethics. At the moment, Canada’s position denies the human rights implication involved in this climate crisis.

Does Stephen Harper not  have hopes for the future of his children? Does his nose not bleed if he picks it too hard?

A young man from the Maldives asked an audience at the UN “Would you commit murder, although your victim begs for mercy?”.  While Harper does his best to insist he is just like any other human that enjoys breathing oxygen and consuming earth food for energy – no amount of photos singing in Bollywood or playing with kittens can erase the legacy of injustice and human rights transgressions that Stephen Harper is writing for us.

On December 10th, a Canadian Youth Delegate made a passionate plea to lead negotiator, Michael Martin, to acknowledge the burden Canada has placed on developing nations.

Spectators Experience Menstrual Synch While Waiting for Activists to be Removed from Parliament Buildings

Protesters drop banners on West block – “Climate Inaction Costs lives”. Read full story here.

The police response included a plane circling for two hours, 100 firetrucks and ambulance and 200 police.  Removal of protesters took a large part of the day.

Danes Let the Scandal Out of the Secret Treaty Bag

The second day of the UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen saw officials from developing countries outraged in response to leaked documents which show world leaders will be asked to sign an agreement that gives more power to rich countries and reduces the opportunity for developing nations to voice their concerns.

This ‘Danish Text’, drafted in backroom negotiations, disregards one of the basic principles of the Conference of Parties which advocates for ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ in addressing the climate crisis. The document also has a fatal flaw,  in that it isn’t a credible stepping stone to a legally binding outcome and leaves Danish Prime Minister Lokke Rasmussen looking like a real røvhul.

This text will work to:

• Force developing countries to agree to specific emission cuts and measures that were not part of the original UN agreement;

• Divide poor countries further by creating a new category of developing countries called “the most vulnerable”;

• Weaken the UN’s role in handling climate finance;

• Not allow poor countries to emit more than 1.44 tonnes of carbon per person by 2050, while allowing rich countries to emit 2.67 tonnes

Delegates from African nations responded inside the conference centre – see below.

Blogging from the UN Climate Summit, Copenhagen

Heart of Green will be blogging daily from inside COP 15 – follow the International Youth Climate Movement!

Will we see an ambitious, fair and legally binding agreement in the next two weeks? We’re Copenhopen.

Eight Reasons Why Capitalists Want to Sell You Deodorant

This is taken from Crimethinc.’s book Days of War Nights of Love

1. Body smells are erotic and sexual. Capitalists don’t like that because they are impotent and opposed to all manifestations of sensuality and sexuality.

2.Body smells remind us that we are animals. Capitalists don’t want to be reminded of that. Animals are dirty. They eat things off the ground, not out of plastic wrappers. They are openly sexual. They don’t wear suits or ties, and they don’t get their hair done. they don’t show up to work on time.

4. Some deodorants are harmful. Capitalist like this because they are always looking for new illnesses to cure.

5. Deodorants cost you money. Capitalists are especially pleased about that.

6. Deodorants hide the damage that capitalist products cause your body. Eating meat and other chemical-filled foods sold by capitalists make you smell bad. Wearing pantyhose makes you smell bad. Capitalists don’t want you to stop wearing pantyhose or eating meat.

7. Deodorant users are insecure. Capitalists like insecure people. Insecure people don’t start trouble. Insecure people also buy room fresheners, hair conditioners, makeup, and magazines with articles about dieting.

8. Deodorants are unnecessary. Capitalists are very proud of that and they win marketing awards for it.