It’s really difficult to come to a conclusion on COP15. Considering how convoluted the negotiations were and how easy it was to get lost in the Bella Center (both literally and figuratively), it will take a while to understand what did actually happen. Personally, I think that we can either spend our time pointing fingers (a lot of that is going on) or we can keep the momentum going that was generated at COP15. I didn’t think a fair, ambitious, and binding treaty was likely in Copenhagen, although I hoped it would.
- courtesy of Wordle.net
A recent press release from the White House and various news articles suggest that China is to blame for the failure of the last-minute negotiations, not Obama. China had originally sent its Climate Change Rep for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (a couple notches down the totem pole) instead of Premier Wen to the multilateral talks. Obama was not happy about this. The articles state that Obama was actually working hard to try to get something accomplished during his limited time there. While we shouldn’t be quick to take blame away from our own country and leaders, this information gives alternative views and elucidates the turmoil that went on behind closed doors. I leave it up to your discretion to determine who is to blame, if not just the timing of the entire summit.
Alison and I had to leave Copenhagen before Obama’s final speech to return to Berlin for a TREF seminar. Before the seminar began, Emily, other TREFers and some Robert Bosch and Humboldt Fellows and I met at the US Embassy in Berlin with Economic and Public Affairs officers and even the Ambassador himself to discuss how to strengthen trans-Atlantic ties in the renewable energy sector. We all agreed that increasing exchanges and knowledge transfer between Germany and the US with regards to renewable energy research, development and implementation would be beneficial for both sides. The meeting served as a starting point for an ongoing dialogue. Stay tuned.
- courtesy of personal.ee.surrey.ac.uk
After the Embassy meeting, Emily, Alison, and I met to prepare our presentation on COP15 for the TREF seminar. This included a Beatles medley about our experiences at and thoughts on COP15 (completed at 2 am the morning before we presented). Check it out!
Please, join us in the worldwide effort to make COP16 2010 in Mexico City a success. This means really working at the local level and starting soon. There are plenty of groups out there to get involved with. If you can’t find one, start your own!
Wow that wordle pic is so fun!! We are so on point! I’m so proud of us for doing this blog, I plan to continue posting whenever I come across something relevant. Thanks Mike and Alison for being wonderful people. –Emily