It’s good that there’s been conversation, both inside COP21 and outside of it, about the maximum temperature rise that we can tolerate. However, what actually is the difference between a 1.5 degree rise and a 2 degree rise in temperature, for the average person? First of all, it’s important to note that any temperature rise represents the…
Category: COP 21
#3 Inside COP21 – Selina from the Marshall islands reports
A sort extract from a scene today Diplomatic relations in action? Hmmmm. A certain minister from a certain country came over to greet my minister. Then I noticed there was a camera man. I wondered why a camera man was allowed inside this room when they are usually not allowed. Later, I realized why. On…
Do you have hope for the agreement? – the opinion of three delegates
Red badge, run. With this tactics we managed to spot a few negotiates today at the green zone in Le Bourget and get their opinion on the ongoing negotiations. Because a red badge indicates that you are allowed t go into the negotiations and that you are allowed to speak. A loud laugh and a…
Time running out at Paris COP21
On search of the Polar Bear hooked on the end of an oil pipeline, I came across a remarkable natural sculpture: a clock ring of 12 icy lumps, monoliths of glacial ice counting up time. The work certainly intrigued the tourists. Children skipped delighted up to the glistening surfaces, the old and young absorbed by…
#2 Inside COP21 – Selina from the Marshall island reports
Having just finished my chocolate brownie and now drinking on my Arizona Green Tea with honey drink is a bliss. My feet too are taking a rest after a long day of walking in heels that I really regret bringing and wearing. Across the table is the Minister deBrum sitting with several other delegates from…
“You are the future” – Interview with Debra Roberts
Yesterday, Marina and I walked around Paris in search of different ArtCOP exhibitions. Going past Hotel de Ville, we saw a group of people coming out and wanting to know who they were and if they were possibly involved in the COP. So we spontaneously approached one of them and were lucky enough to be…
What’s the deal with the US?
The United States of America have entered the negotiations at COP21 with a lot of baggage- on one hand, they are one of the worst polluters on the planet , while on the other hand they have seemingly changed their approach to climate change and signed a historic agreement with China pledging to drastically reduce carbon…
Businesses and COP21: Their voice is louder than the civil society
How are businesses connected to COP21? 20% of the costs of COP21 are funded by companies including EDF, Air France, Renault-Nissan and Engie, and the voice of the businesses is louder and clearer than ever. In the light of the Paris attacks, which has resulted major restrictions on civil society activism, it is difficult to…
#1 Inside COP 21 – Selina from the Marshall Islands reports
Entering the convention where the COP21 was held was like being in an airport with all the security check-ins and such. Getting my COP21 name tag felt very weird as the lady repeated the same things she has probably said over a thousand times to the other many delegates who were attending. I had only…
Africa: Stereotypes VS reality
Let’s talk about Africa. Let’s talk about the stereotype of naked, starving children in the midst of a deserted village, with no roads or infrastructure in sight. And then, let’s talk about what African challenges countries in Africa are ready to undertake, and what the reality looks like. First, let’s start with a couple of…
The real victim: The developing countries situation
The developing countries have a very weak situation in the climate change negotiations this year within COP21. The real threats that they are facing are a weak economy as a result of losing sank lands, losing properties because of floods and storms and losing most of their agricultural lands as a result of the desertification….
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