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Dickinson to Durban » Environmental Politics

Stand Aside (and Don’t Deliver)

We spoke informally with a Norwegian delegate who suggested that if the United States doesn’t plan on agreeing to anything big, they should at least stand aside and stop blocking agreements from happening. Interesting idea. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues, Mosaic Action

“The U.S. Can’t Do A Damn Thing.”

They can’t, according to COP17 NGO observers we interviewed this morning. The question is, should the rest of the parties move on in the international negotiations without them? The answer is probably yes. Until now, international negotiations haven’t been working very well. How to make them work? Anyone who is willing to take action should do so. Anyone who doesn’t want to, well, they are not included. Waiting for all groups to agree on the same thing is inefficient. Having a small number of countries agree on behalf of everyone else regarding the global problem of climate change (i.e. Big Emittors at COP15 who negotiated behind closed doors) may be efficient, but it is also unfair. Thus, anyone who wants to make a deal can. Anyone who refuses, can move … Read entire article »

Filed under: Carbon Markets, Climate Change, Conservation, Environmental Justice, Environmental Politics, Featured, Key COP17 Issues, Mosaic Action, Student Research

Here at Last!

Here at Last!

By: Christine Burns 14 We’ll we are here in Durban at last! It’s hard to believe that all of our hard work over the past few months has finally come to this. it is absolutely amazing here. Everyone is very welcoming and very friendly.  When we were told that we would be interviewing international delegates I was very intimidated, but everyone is very willing to share the information they have and give me the most accurate … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues, Mosaic Action, Student Research

Finding my feet

Esther Babson The first day at the conference can be whittled down to one word, whirlwind. Emily comparing it to Disneyworld is a perfect comparison. After being bused to the drop off point, we had to wait in lines (or “queues” as our British and Australian counterparts taught us) in the heat just hoping to get into the metaphorical rollercoaster which we eventually entered. The first objective upon entering the conference center was just to find a place to meet and once that was established, at a small semi-circle of cushion chairs, we were all set free. At first I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had contacts I could email but finding WiFi at first was impossible and I had no idea where anything was! We also learned … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics