Thank You Denmark

They will criticize the NGOs being withheld from the Bella Center, the Copenhagen Accord is not even close to what the world needs, and from the media coverage it looks like arrests and violence was everywhere.

Bah humburg!

I'm here to say that COP 15 has unleashed the most powerful citizen movement every seen on our precious Mother Earth...and just in time...hang on Maldives, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Cape Verde...the Netherlands knows something about holding back those rising waters and the world has just been served notice that this Climate Change issue is the Real Deal and that we can't afford another COP without the key players sitting at the table.

Those players are the ICLEI activists who plan and implement the smart grid, complete streets and xeriscape plantings in dry neighborhoods. They are the youth activists from Avazz, 350.org, Oxfam and  Sustain US who ask "How Old Will You Be in 2050?  (102 for this activist).  They are the who are on the front lines of feeding the hungry (Save the Children, UNICEF, Tear Fund), and training the village people to organize, to empower and to take charge of their lives by getting job training, by starting and sustaining workable businesses and by empowering girls and woman to have an equal shot at education, employment and leadership.

So here's the question...who's going to tell the US delegation (and China, EU, Australia, South Africa, India, Brazil) that it's the people that are already doing what needs to be done that need a place at the table to move our planet in the right direction and will provide the push needed to reach the masses with what's needed....

3-5-OH, and how to get there.  We have the tools, we know the path and even the big businesses are saying the right things (well, some of them anyhow)...this political will deal is a tough nut to crack but ya know what?.....those guys and some gals (but not many) are way stressed out.

Standing in front of the ICLEI Local Govt. Lounge last week every so often the US Office door would open and watch out , those guys is movin and from the look on their faces they aren't having a lot of fun. Poor delegates...no one told them about the game in the plenary after the work day was over....wonder if that might change their thinking and feeling about people in need, maybe even about themselves.

Didn't get the agreement we wanted?  Exactly what NASA's James Hansen predicted. Total breakdown in negotiations and communication between and among countries, leaders and delegates.

Riding home on the train with two delegates from Indonesia (boleh chakup?) and they said everything revolves around private meeting  between the US and China and that most of the delegates have NO SAY in any of the important discussion.  That's a red flag for this NGO rep.  How the ____are we going to have an internationally binding, just and aggressive treaty if the people that most need the help aren't even part of the conversation?

While playing disc in the Plenary Hall I noticed that all the rows are set up so everyone gets a great view of the back of everybody's head............hhhmmmmmmmm not what good teachers do in their classrooms...look at where kids sit at Hellerup Skole (school) just north of Copenhagen, where I toured with their science teacher.

Notice the shape. Could the way delegates sit in the UN Convention on Climate Change have something to do with the health of our planet?

hhhmmmmmmm.  I also noticed that every time I tried to speak with one or more of the US delegates (to share your beautiful "Hear My Voice" cards) the door was closed and when someone came out they were friendly but could not allow me to speak with one of MY representatives. I was curious about why so many of the other countries had open doors and people were going in and out all the time.

What ARE those people talking about anyway?

Look, I'm no expert on Global Climate negotiations but I can feel when I'm appreciated and welcomed     and something is definitely missing here.

Perhaps that's why I'm a retired elementary school teacher and not a global climate negotiator but now that island nations are at serious risk of being submerged and the African delegates are walking out of their negotiations because they know a 2 degree C rise in temperature means a 5 degree rise in their country...someone's got to say something about how these decision are or aren't being made.

In my Art of Convening training with Craig Neal (www.heartlandcircle.com)  I have been taught and practiced  9 basic principles to bring the most out of meetings and gatherings with people to bring about unexpected results and the highest possible results through hearing all voices, creating a safe place to speak, clarifying intent, and having the essential conversation where this unexpected result can show up if the soil has been prepared.

I want those Indonesian and Namibian and Egyptian and Grecian delegates to feel heard, the way I was heard as one of the Climate Justice Fast group as a valued member of the group. I'm thinking the way these meeting and negotiations are set up might have something to do with their effectiveness. Wonder how I could offer some help. I sure would like to see some more movement in these UN Coventions. The impact that could have could save the planet, so to speak.

Moving on....it's 2:44 am on one of the longer days of my life cause I'm going to be picking up 8 hours as I fly with the sun all day.  Getting picked up by a taxi at 4:15 am and Jane and Michael and Dorte's  home here in Ordrup my lovely home for the past 19 days and nights moving through the Summit. From mild moist fall days to the coldest, snowiest winter they've had in years. Really fun to watch the 2-4 year olds who are seeing snow for the first time while doing my "day on the town" with Ida on Saturday after the emotional "Breaking of the Fast:" with Anna, Sara, Matheiu and the CJF group. Anna's Mom was there an you can imagine her state watching her 25 year old daughter not eat for nearly 44 days. Anna lost 15 kg. and I never saw her once stop working, supporting and organizing...truely one of the Climate Heroes of this Summit and to give you a sense of her depth of knowledge and commitment to Climate Justice, I offer her most recent blog which will fill in many of the gaps in my reporting.

http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2009/12/19/the-end-of-cop15-and-the-end-of-the-fast-so-how-do-we-all-feel/

Prime minister of Austraila in 10 years????  That's the kind of breakthru we need.

"Taxi's coming he's blowing his horn" and this episode has come to an end...so many to thank, but to you, if this has helped to connect you with the Hope of our Future I rest in peace....and will kick it up a notch at home...a pleasure and an honor to partner with you.

with love always,

Skiing tomorrow....YEAH!!!!!

Paul

Frantic or Peaceful- We Choose/ Global Day of Fasting and Reflection

Hello again from Snowy Copenhagen and the long johns are back in action.  Feels like Minnesota today and I'll be wearing my Twins shirt to spread the message.  Took the morning to catch up on sleep, messages and reflecting on all I've seen, done and what's left to do on my last few days here.

Finally met with Nils, Craig Neal's Danish friend who set up my lodging through his cousin Ida. Such a network I have thanks to my friends. Nils wanted me to meet his friend Lars a retired environmental and energy engineer who worked for the previous Danish administration. We had a fabulous conversation about the negotiations, Danish culture, the way we address issues in the world and making on going connections between Denmark and Minnesota. Here we are at Lars home in downtown Copenhagen.

Just before that I said "Good-bye" to the Bella center I went to one last "side event" it was ICLEI's big event with mayors from all over the world doing the necessary and important work of implementing the energy and environmental programs that are transforming the way we live.  The mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, host for the next COP 16 in 2010 spoke powerfully of the need for ICLEI and local governments to be involved in the negotiations in the coming debates. After he spoke, I thanked him for his efforts and asked him what he thought about having more wellness activities at the Mexican COP....yoga, massage, music, dance. Without a pause he said "I agree completely, more public involvement is very essential." He introduced me to Martha, his environmental secretary and on his way out of the room he said to Martha, "let's have him help to organize that next year."

Anyone for Mexico in December 2010?

Spent a lovely evening with Jane, my kind host, watching all the COP 15 coverage on TV and more computer work  with organizing the Climate Justice Fast big day, working on my return reception and news conference at the airport next Monday the 21st with tireless climate activist Natalie Gille and figuring out how to get to the airport on Monday morning at 4:30 am....Jane is going to drive me there on Sunday evening and I'll check in early and get some rest in the lounge.

Time to go see Al Gore and participate in the Global Fasting Day of Solidarity and say a prayer for our leaders to open their hearts and see the beauty of this new world that we are on the threshold of realizing.

And on the last day of the COP 15, I'll be where I belong. Connecting children in Copenhagen with kids in Edina and Minnesota. The last day of school before the vinterholiday, and now a visit from a Minnesota eco disc ivist...should be fun and finally Sage, our green interactive playscape can be used.

US just announced $100 billion per year by 2020 if the COP 15 can reach an agreement....nice try Hillary, but the $$$$ is needed now, not in 11 years.

Keep the faith and read the letter from Bill McKibben on my Facebook page.

Love in action,

Paul.....blogging a new world your way from the Bella Center in Copenhagen.

Have We Done Enough?

From Grist Magazine and article by Bill McKibben

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-12-13-no-time-for-tears-in-copenhagen

I know I fall into that one..."Have I done enough?" all the time.It seems to come with the territory of taking on a problem that is so big we really don't even understand the problem let alone the solution.

At the same time I am equally sure that the answer lies not in the doingness but in the beingneess as in Human Being and utilizing all of the potential we have to behave in such a way that all of who we are and what we do be guided by the best of what we have to offer to each other. With that understanding I can  once again muster up the courage to knock on the door of the US Delegation and ask for them to read the "Hear My Voice" cards from the good folks in Minnesota cause "you work for us and we care about all people's future."

It's been another day flown by and if I'm lucky I'm going to have dinner (another last supper) with David Koordsma, the biker who was chosen to be the Hopenhagen Ambassador through the Huffington Post.

here's David at work..David is a friend of  my friend Aaron Teasdale from Missoula MT and a hard core biker and climate advocate..during his 21,000 mile bike journey to the tip of South America he did Climate Action education. Check out his winning video on my facebook page.

Back for more soon.

The Final Week Begins

Sitting in the Nooreport Macdonald's with the driving beat of an Abbaseque Eurobeat in the background.

Stopped here to get back to even on the blog before this crucial week kicks off.

Word in the NGO (non govt orgs) community is that beginning Tuesday NGOs will be restricted to far fewer folks to get into the Bella Center. So tomorrow I'll be in begging mode with ICLEI, 350, CJF and any one else who can get me a secondary pass.

The march was beyond belief...a sea of people, sights and sounds like I've never seen or felt before. Estimates range from 40-100,000 depending on your source.  Either way Jane Shay and I made the most of it with our "Minnesotans for Climate Action" banner.

Easily the most gorgeous and homespun banner of the lot...Cindy Sheenan (from Crawford TX fame at GW's ranch fame) came up to say hi.

1 man from St. Cloud and lots of people who knew someone from MN.

Did I mention that we got frontpage coverage in the "Politiken" the major Kopenhavn Sondag Paper...too bad the banner wasn't tight so Minnesota was not readablr...but we know it's there.

The march was long 5-6 miles and 2.5- 3 hours.  Beautiful scenes from different Copenhagen neighborhoods, the setting of the sun from a bridge near the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with this lovely sailboat with a sail-ant message.

Just before this photo there was a group of young folks all dressed in black with hoods and masks and pretty soon LOUD explosives were going off and Jane and I scurried out of there fast and followed two of the young men who ditched their black garb but couldn't shake us...here they are and I'm trying to get the photo to the proper sources....scared the begiebies out of me and gave me an up close experience of how counter productive violence of any kind is.
We need EVERYONE on board for this effort....if you see them, have a good sit down chat please.

The rest of the march was peaceful with the cold setting in. Had an interview with a Mother Jones reporter with full band background about 10 feet away. When we arrived at the Bella Center, Jane headed for home being tired and I stuck around for the speeches and the surprise of the trip.

Time to leave McDonalds,  catch the rest of the blog in Ordrup, bring on the train once more.

Back home after a lovely meal of instant soup, Danish bread, butter, jam and a Danish apple that would put any Honey Crisp to a taste test.

Folded my laundry and I have no idea after tomorrow if I will even be able to get into the Bella Center for the big week.

Oh, the big surprise. Pretty much had given up meeting Alec Neal (friends Craig and Patricia Neal's son) and Katherine Ball his partner in town to do art and banners for the march and actions this week.  I'm filming the talks last night by Mary Robinson, Deepa Gupta the youth rep from India who is working with us on the Climate Justice Fast and I feel this tap on my back....Hi Alec and Katherine...sweet reunion and spent the rest of the night hanging, visiting the "Yes Men" HQ where they were working, having pizza and playing cribbage with Alec, first time...fun.

Quite an end to a day for the world to remember, wish I could find a photo that showed it all...but seeing our banner on the front page this morning was pretty cool.....as was today...my first walk for fun and to see the hood here in suburban Cop.

Time with Jane in our room,  late for Desmond Tutu but in time for the Queen and my on line interview with the Finnish Media channel and over to the Bright Green Forum to hear Stephen Chu, US Energy Secretary (smart and totally scientific and disconnected with the audience) followed by my friend Rajendra Pachuari from the IPCC and his slightly scaled back message of urgency to the political leaders...."it's now up to them" he told me.

On my way home from town I sat next to 2 Party Members from Indonesia...they were tickled when I could speak to them in their language and from there it was all downhill.

They started telling me the real scoop about being a delegate in the plenary room with the big boys.
Just like the old business model money talks and they said the rest of the conference is about the US and China haggling over the details....how much?  who pays?  what do we get for it?  pretty sickening when the real questions are Who Dies? which nations disappear? and how long til it's your kids?

What is it going to take to wake these ________________up ?

Perhaps 2  young Aussies and a Swede fasting for 120 days total w/o food will make them think...maybe not...it really comes down to feeling the costs and moving together to a higher place.

All signs point towards that NOT happening...what can you offer to make the totally unpredictable happen and happen this week?

Stay tuned, and watch the main event, Bill McKibben and his band of merry 350 kids and a few old farts bonding with the Climate Justice Fast movement and 1,000 youth, and  a few leaders from drowning nations like President Nasheed from the Maldives (tomorrow at 4 pm)...against the large powerful and emotionally devoid talking suits of the 2 largest and richest countries in the world.

they don't stand a chance.....I'm so glad to be here to stand up...a little like the Twins against the Yankees.

Now do you see why I have a hard time sleeping?

it's all about the heart.

Eating Food- Fasting on Sleep/ Freezing Back Home

Good Morning from the place where darkness seems normal...Daniel, one of the long term fasters was using a UV light today....looked good to me.  It's 3 am and there is no way I can sleep so here I lay in my bed communicating dutifully to my blogees.

Saw Bill McKibben (350 founder) on the train today, and when he said he was following my blog I thought I best be on the ball (disc?) and get it done...was feeling guilty for not writing today but was trying to be not so tied to my computer. So this is what I get?

We had a nice chat about COPs in general and the different feel this one has.  Bill said that everything always happens in the last few hours of the last day...ie  the hours after President Obama speaks to the delegates in our frisbee field/ plenary hall...if they only knew.

Obama receiving the Peace Prize today has generated a lot of attention around here, especially from the African partners who are crying for Obama to honor his inaugral promises....please read their impassioned letter:  http://www.1sky.org/files/PACJA_letter.pdf

Of course we also spoke of snow and skiing, our shared passion. Bill left a day early to avoid the storm that sounded like walloped Minnesota....will the hardy Gophers still show up for the Candlelight Vigil this Saturday at Lake Harriet on Saturday at 4 pm? I'm expecting a flood of photos from your actions  ...good luck and remember your wind screen. Confirm your attendance on Natalie Gille's fb page at:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189168529596

Thanks for considering this; bring your families and send your photos to me and 350.org on Saturday evening....we'll get them printed and delivered by hand to John Pershing (lead US negotiator) on Monday and believe me, after this week, he could use a little candlelight energy and good will.

Wear layers and toast a warm drink to us all afterwards.

Did you see the article in the Star Tribune?  A big thank you to MaryJane Smetana who now is following our actions.  Here's the link http://www.startribune.com/local/west/78642807.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

The other interesting personal project that I'm working on is to connect 2 extreme bikers.  David Kroodsma was selected by the Huffington Post as their Hopenhagen Designee (and a free trip to COP 15 for he and his bike) . He biked 21,000 miles promoting Climate Action thru out North and South America (see his excellent 1 minute video at  http://hopenhagen.org/hopenhagenBlog)

David is a close friend of Aaron Teasdale my Birke (ski marathon) Buddy Harold's son...he arrives Saturday morning and has already contacted me.

The other biker?  Kim ________ from Australia, he only biked to Copenhagen from Aussieland leaving last August. I met him through Anna Keenan the young (24 yr old) Climate Justice activist who is entering her 35th day on a water only fast and along with Sara (25 from Sweden) and Daniel (30 from Austraila living in Copenhagen), Daniel's only done about 28 days...oh my, Gandhi usually stopped at 20-30 days. They are getting international press, met with Yvo deBoer, the UN Executive Secretary at the UNFCCC yesterday and have requested 10 minutes with President Obama next week.  Time Magazine is scheduled to interview them on Monday.

The focus? To stand with the countries and people who have done almost nothing to cause the problem and who yet suffer the most from the severe consequences of Climate Change, go to www.climatejusticefast.com to see the powerful 3 minute video and learn about our cause....this is something close to my heart and the hearts of many RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers), and today I got a chance to share my personal story at a news conference at the Klimeforum in Copenhagen Center City at the People's Climate Summit.

Monday I will have a chance to listen to Bill McKibben and President Nasheed from the Maldives who is leading the charge for the Most Vulnerable Nations in becoming carbon neutral nations and not waiting for the wealthy countries to come to their aid....which we should and must do. With Tuvalu, Kirabati and other Island Nations on the front burner here in the negotiations, Minnesotans can again be proud that our own John Madole and his partner Gene Chase are leading the way towards casrbon neutrality for the Maldives by working on carbon mitigation projects on the North Island of the Maldives. Saw incredibly beautiful and disturbing photographs at the  Klimeforum today from the Maldives and the degrading of the protective coral reefs that surround and protect the islands.

The time is NOW for these island nations!!!

Now it's morning and I can start my Friday...one week til Obama...time to volunteer for 350 and get set for "Minnesotans for Climate Action" and the big march/ action on Saturday....and perhaps a nap this afternoon.

Jane Shay gets in from Belgium (she works with the city of Mpls. and is a graduate student in Belgium) and she will be staying here in Charlottenlund at our gracious host Jane's home.

I'll leave you with one last global local connection. I said hi to some African delegates walking by our area, ended up meeting four of the Niger representatives and one, Dr. Salifou Assane Selny, is a teacher of teachers and said that he would hook up one of his French speaking schools with an Edina school. I put out a feeler and Michele, our Green Mom from Morningside, Edina immediately said "yes we will" to connecting Normandale School (French Immersion) with our projected new school in Niger. Ended up friending Salifou on Facebook and if you check his page you "might" see this photo.

Another frisbee game planned for tonight with some of these Climate Activist Ultimate players, and an ICLEI workshop on how Copenhagen does what it does with it's Bicycle Culture....I'll leave you with an inspiring quote from Van Jones and envision all of you preparing for local Candlelight Vigils on Saturday.

Day 5 of the COP 15 arrives and I'm happy to be here with and for you:

"Now is not the time to shrink from the challenge of saving our only home in the universe...Now is the time to open our arms, expand our horizons, and dream big. To prevail, we will need tens of thousands of heroes at every level of human society." --Van Jones, The Green Collar Economy

sounds like us

Namaste

Climate Justice...It's Everywhere

Wow, you guys are keeping me busy.

Everywhere in the Bella Center is the feeling of equity, to provide all nations with a fair, binding and aggressive agreement to slow the worst aspects of a climate out of control  and to clean up the mess that the industrial countries have made.

Listen to this articulate woman from Fiji speak about the impact of Climate Chaos on her country.

http://webmail.aol.com/29644-412/aol-1/en-us/Suite.aspx

the link wouldn't open here you have to go to the 1 Sky blog here and click on "Message to Americans"

Same thing happened to me last night as I was leaving the Bella Center after posting my first You Tube and group of Bangladesh Delegates were walking out, I said "Namaste" to one and we chatted. Very open and friendly conversation and as we departed he asked "what country are you from?" I answered and he responded again in a very friendly tone of voice "your country is the reason for all our troubles" to which I replied "we are coming to help...and quickly"

The reminders of the blessings that we have lived with become very clear when confronted by such honesty and the building of a "New American Dream" where all people and life are considered paramount in these next few days.

Time to head for work...and try to represent what you want to hear and see....keep the requests coming.

I can't tell you how impactful this feels to be witnessing.

Whatever action you can take this week and next do it. Natalie Gille has set up a Facebook Page for the Vigil this Saturday 12/12 at the bandshell at Lake Harriet at 4pm///go if you can and send images to 350.org for us to deliver on Monday the 14th.

Last night I was sitting in the large hall where Obama will speak next Friday taking in the enormity of this event and a young Norweign Youth, Frikk, came in. I flashed the disc and he was into it....30 minutes of flying fun in the grand hall where the world can, might, must make a new life giving agreement...it was the magic moment of the day for me.


Fasting increases ones appreciation for food and life itself....Jane told me of the perfect cafe with good coffee to enjoy the breaking.

I will do it in honor of our partnership for where we are headed.

It's a Miracle

I never thought I would learn how to get my video on my blog or You Tube.

Chuck Prentice, I hope you are listening......walking out of the Large Plenary Hall which I just discovered,,,,after a rousing frisbee fgame with a 21 year old from Norway (who advanced from a 2 to a 6 in skill level in 20 miniutes) I'm ready to go home after a long day and there sits Valida....video guru of the youthful greens.

She was so kind to show me every step from camera, to imovie to you tube to my blob and here it is 19 seconds of the Will Steger Youth at a photo shoot for Stoneyfield Yoghurt.

VOILA!!!!!



Small step for a man ....huge leap for his video imagery.

Enjoy...there will be more.

time to catch the train for tomorrow I eat...or not....this fasting deal is pretty cool.

Mr Paul delivering the goods!

 

Bella Center Action

Last week before the COP 15 UNICEF hosted a Children's Climate Change Summit for youth ages 11-18...here is a summaryof what happened at the conference.

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/denmark_52005.html

Watched an interview with Alison Gannett a World Champion Extreme Skier who also does Climate Change Solutions around the world.

Trying to get her to come to the Birke for a Climate Action Panel in Feb...check out Allison's work at www.AlisonGannett.com

Time for the Climate Justice News Conference to announce the Global day of Prayer, Fasting and Solidarity next Tuesday Dec 15.

I'll be be soon.  Paul

I'll be back soon

EPA Announcement- GHG Endangerment- DUD!!!

But now it's official and should pave the way for more dramatic action on emission cuts.

Check out this link from the EDF (Environmental Defense Fund)

http://blogs.edf.org/climatetalks/

COP Day 2

Here's a quick link to some of the Will Steger Youth in the Expedition Copenhagen project.

Enjoy....go to You Tube for a larger version.

Have a great day!!


Paul...Day 3 Climate Justice Fast

COP 15 Begins

Think of the biggest, highest tech event you've ever been to.

Then think about going to that event everyday for 2 weeks.

Welcome to my world and the Bella Center on the ocean near downtown Copenhagen...still here at 8pm after most of the day's action has slowed to a trickle...only a few thousand people are left here.

My fast is going well, I'm breaking thru the point where I think about food all the time and instead am focusing on making a difference and letting my hunger be that.

Very inspiring meeting this afternoon with Anna, Sara, Daniel and a Climate Justice Fast group...amazing Anna's clarity and focus after 32 days of water only. They are now meditating at 7 am every morning lead by Deepa a youth from India who is leading the Indian youth coalition, one of them Linkash from a small village in rural Kerala on the southwest corner of India.

His mother Aunty Kamala is a student of Ghandian philosophy and they have both been a joy to be with.  The very cool thing about this youth movement is the depth to which they see this issue and the planet as a spiritual entity that responds to loving kindness and truthful actions.  To see the gift of Climate Change in bringing people together in creating something new is a very new way of addressing a problem...leave it to the youth, I'm just happy to be hanging with them.

I continue to meet the right people at the right time....this morning on the train this musician had some strong words for his feelings about America but also the importance of getting our country into a leadership position, then I met Birgetta (and her bike) on the train and she said that this is all she thinks about and was so appreciative of my being there......likewise.

Copenhagen is so different...the little side streets take me back hundreds of years ago. Monday morning in 1759? The city is over 800 years old and the mix of old and modern is quite striking.

Yesterday at the end of COY (Council of Youth) all 500+ came outside of this Grand Old Celebration Hall for a group photo and some cheers...enough to raise the roof or perhaps the skies and let the sunshine for a moment. Here they are in all their glory...the world shapers and I for one am a solid fan of these youth.

This photo shows about half of them.

Time to find the train home and see if I can get here by 7 am tomorrow......all things possible right?

Hope everyone is well and sending light to our leaders this week and next. Tomorrow we are announcing a Global Day of Prayer, Fasting and Solidarity on Tuesday Dec. 15th the day before the big stuff happens...please join me in the  celebration of a new beginning.

                                                                                        your man on the scene

Day 3- Will My Credentials be Ready?

Off for the train and the Bella Center to get registered and back to the youth summit in town...I'm learning my way around Copenhagen and hey...don't have to be bothered by eating for the next 3 days.

Here's the link for the Fox 9 show for those of you who haven't seen it.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/buzz/greenhouse-gas-summit-december-2-2009


and another good piece on the Climate Justice Fast group:


http://www.ips.org/TV/copenhagen/hunger-strikers-in-moral-call-to-climate-action/


Thank you all for your support and encouragement...it is getting transfered directly to the youth delegates and others here through my hands (massage) your art (the banners and cards) just not sure about when the discs will start to fly...these indoor events are tricky.


I do have one soft disc and only one mini...how unprepared.


Create a magical event on 12/12 at the Lake Harriet Bandstand.


pt

Day 2- THE YOUTH TAKE CHARGE

Back from an amazing day in Center City Copenhagen...had my "last supper" before my 2nd 3 day fast and reflected on the amazing power and joy of the youth movement...500 youth from 80 countries...and they are ready to rock and roll with our world leaders.

The first youth I met was from Malaysia...my Peace Corps country (1971-73) and when I greeted him in his language it was all over...he had been to Sabah (North Borneo) where I taught school for 3 years, had climbed Mt Kinabalu twice, the highest point in SE Asia (13,455 ft.) which was outside my kitchen window and when I told him I climbed it 4 times he couldn't believe we were in Copenhagen together.

Same thing happened with youth from Somalia and Nepal and then tonight I get this message from 1 Sky

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKSo5UNlQAcNGb7rZGXYdO0OxkZwD9CCHR3G1

About the Prime Minister holding the world's highest cabinet meeting near the base camp of Mt Everest at Kala Pattar, the peak i climbed in Nov 1974 to get a good view of Chomolongma (Tibetan name for Everest, "Mother Goddess of the World"), to bring attention to the disappearing snow and ice...ie water source for his people.

I have never felt so hopeful about our future in the midst of this mess we've created as I have today surrounded by all these energetic, passionate youth.

I even had a moment to unveil our Interactive Playscape Banner....and they loved it...Sage you should be smiling now.

Youth started filling out cards and asking about the banner and it's purpose. Almost at the same time a young woman from India was talking about how Climate Change was a blessing for the world in that it is giving us the opportunity to start "creating the world we want" as we solve the problems that we have created.

WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO YOU WANT?

as the banner says.


One where my Edina friend's daughter, whom I have never met, comes up and hugs me. I have a birthday gift for her and remember that great resolution passed by the Edina City Council brought to our attention by Chuck Prentice???? That was Valida's idea from Berlin, to her Dad in Edina and back to Copenhagen. and here's our photo from today.

That's ONE COOL PLANET!!!


What's going to happen tomorrow??

Day 1 at the Bella Center- Bikes on trains/ Youth on the Move

Here's the link from the FOX 9 Morning News program last Wednesday just before I left for Copenhagen. Thanks to Shara for setting it up and sending me the link...I hope this works.

Opps it won't let me save it here, I'll get some youth experts on it today but will send the link via e mail to all of you.

Saturday morning here, i finally got some sleep and am going to head in to the University of Copenhagen for the Youth Summit today and tomorrow. Hooked up with a bunch of the Climate Justice Youth and the Will Steger Expedition Copenhagen Youth at the Bella Center (my credentials had not been processed yet but the ICLEI, Local Govt. for Sustainability, folks are assuring me all will be well.

Jane , my host mentioned that President Obama has changed his plans and is now coming on the 18th instead of the 9th. That is the last day of the conference when the World Leaders gather to endorse, sign, reject whatever has come out of the deliberations.  I was hoping that he would do both, come early to set the tone and return for the culmination. Still waiting for him to check in with me about that. hhhmmmmmmm.

Here are a couple shots from yesterday...people with bikes on the train is my fav image of Cop so far and everyone is well aware of the convention and interested in reading your cards and what Minnesotans think about Climate Change.



The main wall where people enter the Bella Center












I start my second 3 day fast tomorrow and am inviting any readers to join me for a meal, a day or just let go of your daily latte in honor of our journey together to find multiple solutions to this pressing problem.

Some of the Expedition Copenhagen youth from the Will Steger Foundation

                                                                                                                           l    

After a hard days work caring for the elderly.




Remember the 350 Candlelight Vigils are one week from today  (12/12) as the World shines a bright light on COP 15....please invite your friends and family to participate.


Climate Justice Fast Youth (l-r) Sara from Sweden, Daniel from Australia living in Copenhagen and Anna, a founder, from Australia. Anna and Sara are beginning their 30th day with water only. Daniel 22nd day!

Family heading home on the train, parents, bike and baby carriage.  They said "you look scandinavian" and I told them Mona and Gustav (my grandparents) were from near Mora Sweden.


Time to hit the train station at get Sage's banner some "air time" with the youth leaders...perhaps some disc?


Enjoy your day!!


Paul in Charlottenlund


                        

The Old Country

Good Morning Copenhagen (Cop from now on).  2:48 am Cop time as my body seems to be a bit confused by the time change (8 hours). But ntl I arrived safely and had a fairly uneventful journey with few surprises and nice people.

B/c airports MSP and O'Hare charge for wifi (Bonging or something like that $7.95) I submit by Word doc to you to bring you up to speed on my preparation and a new Day 1...after counting down from Day 28, now I'm going the other way to 19..kind of puts things into perspective of TCK,TCK,TCK and the alarm that COP 15 will send to it's sleeping and awakening citizens,,,,,,

see you back here after a word from the past....thanks for your presence btw

Hmmmm Google won't let a word doc be posted...another learning .....ask me and I'll send you my story...short version

Tuesday's "All Hands On Deck" action at Peavey Plaza in downtown Mpls was a throw back to my Ski to End Hunger fasts and camp outs on the mall in July where I learned that I was to become a father....quite a day that was!!!


Here's a shot of Reed Aronow of the WSF Expedition Cop group speaking with Chuck Prentice and Kate Knuth in the background. Chuck is responsible for the Resolution which I now proudly carry (passed by the Edina City Council 4-1) as an example of local govt having a voice in the matter of Climate Change on a global level. Kate (in orange coat) is the MN State Rep from Arden Hills and New Brighton, very involved in greening our state and will be arriving in Cop on Dec 14th.....


....just when the World leaders (wait that's us) will be arriving in Cop to sign (what NASA's James Hansen the world's leading scientist on Climate Change now says "must fail" (b/c it's so flawed) the Cop Climate Treaty for our planet's road map to a healthy future.

Either way we have a lot of work to do....go to http://www.dailyclimate.org/copenhagen for all the dirt.

Also a huge shout out to Shara Motadhi (Edina HS student who is one of tomorrow's leaders today) for getting me onto FOX 9 Morning Show for a 4 minute interview on Wed morning with Kurt_________. BTW Shara, Kurt said he would post the link on the web so spread it around and send to me I'll post it here....my brief brush with TV stardom.

Speaking of stars....on my long flight from Chicago to Cop I sat next to  a young (26) attractive woman, Gita from a small city in Norway. She was returning from LA so my opening line was "so are you a movie star?"...she looks at me smiles and says "yes, I've been in LA for four days in meetings for a film I'm working on." She loves LA but can't believe how much time people spend in vehicles driving around.

The other huge thank you goes to Jen Kochevar my dear friend and one day media director...great shots and video from the Peavey Plaza event and support in getting ready for the journey....here's a shot of Jen in action and of our good bye at the MSP airport.

Amazing the skills we discover in ourselves when we are called into being for something we believe in.






The last piece that really to me is crucial is the growing partnership that the EEC (Edina Energy and Environment Commission) is building with the City Council who demonstrated that with the passing of this resolution the evening before I left:

WHEREAS, the City of Edina adopted ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign on November 5, 2007 and

WHEREAS, through its actions (like forming our Edina Energy and Environment Commission) the City of Edina has demonstrated concern over global warming.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVED, by the City Council of the City Edina strongly supports action at the upcoming UN Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen for the United States and other nations to commit to reducing green house gas emissions to a level necessary to stablilize
atmospheric CO2 levels at or below 350 ppm

Dated December 1, 2009


A BIG step for a small mid western city about to be better known on the biggest stage the climate conversation has ever seen.


Time to dive into e mail, setting up my day and riding my bike (thanks to my host Jane Vinter) for shopping and finding out "What Kind of World Do You Want?"

Reed and Bjorn at Peavey Plaza, "All Hands on Deck" action for Climate Action.

Paul in Genofte, Denmark...population 60,000

Final Errands and Time to Pack

Monday November 30,

End of the month and transition week is here. Early morning blogging is my new plan so here's a quick link to the awesome support in my life during the past week.

The photo to the right is part of the wonderful gathering at Sarah and Hamid 's last Sunday for a fundraising brunch....30 people, $530 raised and great conversation and connections as our numbers grow.
I was particulary nice to have all ages present.

Then off to Wendy's, my Power Point guru and our final session to pull together our 3 minute "Edina- The Greening of a Small Midwestern City" hmmmmmmmm how to link that here...it's on my desktop...another question for Reed today at 4:30.

Anyway thanks to Wendy and here she is with my MacBook at home.
How to create a sound track for the video is next.




The past week with schools closed and families connecting around Thanksgiving has been a lovely change of pace.

The main project has been the Minnesotans for Climate Action banner under the artistic direction of Sage and her sister. We're calling it an "interactive playscape" answering the question What Kind of World Do You Want? from the "Five for Fighting" song. The banner on top is detachable for the Dec 12th Climate action march in Copenhagen here's the team from last night.

The evening before we had a potluck dinner and Rosemary, Terry, Sage , Chuck (whose daughter Valida is going to Copenhagen as well), Nicole and 1.5 year old Aiden.

More later and the clock keeps ticking.

A Thanksgiving letter to Our President

Busily preparing for my journey to Copenhagen, mailing banners for use in Copenhagen, getting photos for the "Minnesota Speaks to Copenhagen" interactive banner that we are creating for use in Copenhagen and as usual always listening to MPR (public radio station)....just b/4 popping into the Edina Community Foundation Office to drop off receipts for my journey...the news we were waiting for came in....President Obama will be traveling to Copenhagen for the UN Climate Summit on Dec. 9th.

Thanks to all of you have contined to push our president to show up despite our Congress' inability to complete Climate Legilation. Here is my letter in response to President's Obama's Thanksgiving letter to his "Obama for America" supporters.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, you are all deep inside of my heart as I make this last week before leaving all about media attention and empowering Climate Leadership whenever possible.

Dear Barack,

Thanks for the holiday greetings and thanks so much for announcing that you will be going to Copenhagen on December 9th for the Climate Summit.

I'll be there representing my small midwestern city, Edina MN, urging you and our country to start acting like Green Leaders.

Things like:

flying to Oslo after Copenhagen and saving a trip----good thinking

stop using disposable plastic bottles---demonstrate it by using a SIGG or Klean Kanteen water bottle when you are in the public eye....when aren't you?

Turn the thermostat down at the White House...try 62-64 degrees and add a nice sweater and light fleece hat.

Sasha and Malia will love it...they are the ones who need this Green Wave to form into a Tsunami.

Look me up in Copenhagen...I'll be at the ICLEI Local Govt Lounge at the Bella Center....with the "Minnesota Speaks to Copenhagen Banner" an interactive playscape for creating a new world...you'll love it and I can finally play some disc with you....Michelle has received 2 of my Cool Planet frisbees and I'm wondering how you like them?

Check out my blog and send a message for me to post with my friends, that would be cool.

http://ptfydisc-onecoolplanet.blogspot.com/

...good work on pardoning the turkey...does that mean your T-day meal is going to be "meat free?"

Another easy way for Americans to cut our carbon....Meatless Mondays would also make Americans thinner and healthier.

Swing out Barack, we need some major intervention on this one...17% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 isn't even close to what is needed. 350 ppm ASAP is what is needed for Sasha, Malia and all of us. Let's get busy...last year I was delivering a banner to your home in Kenwood (couldn't get close but Erik Paulsen, my Congressperson said he's get it to you...did that happen? It was about 35 feet long with congratulation messages and urging you to go to Poznan Poland for the climate talks last year.), this year I just mailed 5 banners to Copenhagen for the summit promoting the 350.org message....will we finally meet????

I won't give up til we meet and I celebrate your continued energy smart leadership.

Happy Thanksgiving...see you on December 9th

Paul Thompson
Edina Energy and Environment Commissioner
ICLEI Delegate at the UN Climate Summit
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer- Borneo 1971-73

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are all in harmony"

Gandhi

Paul Thompson
4244 Crocker Ave
Edina, MN 55416-5012
952-920-1547

Cool Planet- connecting people with nature, energy use, and a changing climate.

2 weeks out!!!

Bummer to fly at night but day break will come quickly as I head East for my first trip to Europe. I'm back and living in the future again.

Had our Nov. EEC (Edina Energy and Environment Commission) mtg this evening and Chuck Prentice (friend and whose daughter Valida will be in Copenhagen as well) came and suggested that we send a resolution to the City Council....so we came up with:

"The City of Edina MN strongly supports a comprehensive Climate Treaty at the UN Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark which limits the GHG (green house gases)emissions to stabilize the level of atmospheric CO2 at 350 ppm or lower."

GO EDINA!!!!

I was at a Peace and Sustainability Conference at Hennepin Ave Methodist Church in downtown Mpls last Sunday and I mentioned I was with the Edina EEC and he looked up and said "you Edina people are really making things happen aren't you?"

and so we are....today with Cindy's help I even learned how to make a hot link on the donation link to the Edina Community Foundation on this blog and people who can't come to the fundraiser and update gathering at Sarah and Hamid's on Sunday are already contributing.

Breakfast with the Mayor and Dick Crockett from the ECF at 7:30...time to hit the sack...now to find the perfect HD video camera with an external mic jack and good sound controls....I can feel a new avocation brewing.

How do we get Obama to commit to going?

Time to Expand

Friends,

Three weeks from today I will be arriving in Copenhagen to begin an amazing 3 weeks.
Yesterday I had my first interview with KFAI, our project was highlighted on the NPCA (National Peace Corps Association) Newsletter, this weekend I will be doing a short announcement of representing Edinans and Minnesotans in Denmark at "Peace and Sustainability...You can't have one without the other at hennepin Methodist Churdh on Hennepin Avr near Loring Park. I have begun the "Minnesota Speaks to Copenhagen" project to bring our collective voice to the UN Convention and to make sure that yopur voices are being heard in Copenhagen.

Thanks to Mary Brindl for discovering the way to link the blog below to being able to contribute to my journey and cover my expenses. Contributions will be made through the Edina Community Foundation through a special account linked to the Edina Energy and Environment Commission.

My 3 day fast ended on Monday morning and I felt like I was beginning a new chapter in my life with a heightened appreciation for food and drink. I send my love and support to those Climate Justice Fasters who continue to fast for the millions of people who cannot take healthy food and easy access to food for granted....it is for those people who we can all speak up for to be included in the Climate Treaty to come out of Copenhagen. That the treaty be one of fairness and justice for all people and to repair the damage done as we move forward towards building a more equitable and sustainable future.

I will see if I can put the links here to connect you all with the KFAI interview....with thanks to Paulina, the KFAI interviewee from Chile.

Onward...20 days remaining, time to learn You Tube.

Let's build our base and grow our numbers....welcome new followers

Join Me on the Road to Copenhagen!

Click Join Me on the Road to Copenhagen! to donate to help send Paul to the UN Climate Convention in Cophenhagen, Denmark. Read on about what Paul plans to do while in Copenhagen.

Paul Thompson, Edina Energy and Environment Commissioner will be representing Edina at the UN Climate Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark Dec 7-18, 2009

The purpose of the Convention is to draft a new global treaty that will guide our planet away from the worst aspects of climate change by getting countries on course with building a sustainable energy system to lower CO2 emissions and develop policies that support the mitigation and adaptation of the damage already done by rising sea levels, famines, droughts and floods caused by unpredictable weather changes.

The focus of Thompson’s 3-week trip to Copenhagen will be to be the eyes and ears of the negotiations as an official delegate through ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability, http://www.iclei.org). He will be covering the myriad of actions and demonstrations planned during the convention to dramatize the urgency of people already suffering from the worst aspects of climate change.

At the ICLEI Local Government Lounge, Thompson will be sharing the work done by the Edina Energy and Environment Commission in measuring our carbon emissions and share our action plan that is engaging citizens to become “smart energy users” and having Edina lead the way as a newly designated “Green Step City” http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/greensteps

"Through my daily blogs and You Tube videos I am hoping to bring the energy of this historic convention into the homes and classrooms, churches and businesses of Edina and all over Minnesota. At the same time I will be gathering information and building partnerships with other cities from around the globe that are implementing leading edge thinking and technologies around reshaping our world towards 350 ppm of CO2 in our atmosphere."

According to the best science available, 350 ppm (parts per million) is the maximum safe level of CO2 in our air to continue life on our planet, as we have known it for the past 100 years. Currently our level is at 390 ppm and rising fast.

Having organized Edina’s successful 350.org Day of Climate Action event on 10/24 (Sun Current Oct. 29, page 17) as part of the Edina Day of Service, Thompson is well aware of the growing need and willingness of citizens to lower their carbon emissions and move towards a more renewable energy system. About 350’s October 24 th Day of Action Thompson said, "With over 5,200 actions in 181 countries and what CNN called the most widespread day of political action in the planet’s history, the citizen movement is fully engaged… we now challenge world governments to catch up with us."

Visit Thompson’s blog site at :

http://ptfydisc-onecoolplanet.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Action requests from Thompson:

1. To let Thompson know what message you want to carry to the delegates and world leaders at the UN Convention and what information you want sent back about the negotiations.

2. To make a donation to cover Thompson’s trip expenses and the work of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission go to http://www.edinacommunityfoundation.org/donate-now.html

Day 1 of the Climate Justice Fast

A gorgeous Fall day with friends and my son and a sweet good-bye to a friend and fellow baseball coach and reunion with the past.

The first day is always the hardest and I can't tell you the number of times I thought about food and started unconsciously prepared my body mechanisms to receive it.

As the day passed I got better at catching the early signs..."thanks for sharing body" and moved on to raking, cribbage and even our first spirited game of spheroid catch...that's baseball to a disc enthusiast.

The media for the Climate Justice Fast around the World was quite amazing...check out the website if you are interested....www.climatejusticefast.org 24 and 25 year old youth who get that this is their time to step up for what they believe in.

Also got an message from NASA's James Hansen, the leading Climate scientist who has been out of action with prostate cancer surgery and now looks clean and will be at COP 15.

60 and Sunny tomorrow and November continues to purr and I'd better get some sleep if I want to tomorrow.

Good night.

Day 26- The Fast Begins

Good Morning,

Awoke at 4 am this Friday after my best sleep in 5 days...I've been fighting a nasty bug that has kept me down and out most of the week....but not today!!!!

The slumbering activist awakes to start my 3 day fast with partners from all over the world....more than 100 of us are starting the Climate Justice Fast (www.climatejusticefast.org)It's been an incredibly connecting experience getting at least 20 emails every day from fasters and supporters in Austrailia (where it started), UK, India, Denmark, Spain, Canada,South Africa, HJonduras, France, Germany, Bhutan, New Zealand, the Philippines and the US. It's growing fast (no pun intended) and yesterday in Barcelona where the last negotiations leading up to COP 15 are ending today....the reason for the start of the fast, the news conference was well attended and stimulated a lot of buzz.

A number of the fasters are doing a water only fast through COP 15 or 42 days!! Not something I'm willing to do but I will be joining them for these first 3 days, the first 3 days of COP 15 (Dec 6-8) and the last 3 days of COP 15. I will also be a spokeperson for the fast and it reminds me of my younger days with Skiers Ending Hunger and my 10 and 11 days fasts on Peavey Plaza in downtown Mpls MN to raise awareness about ending hunger and creating the political will to get the job done.

What is it about political will and it never being there on the tough issues that cause massive suffering and poverty (and now climate refugees in places like Tuvalu, Kirabati and soon the Maldives). The Africans walked out of the negotiations yesterday stating that the rich countries need to show up and do their part for the damage caused by our over consumption and inaction on the issue of Climate Change.

From the Climate Justice Fast news release; "Our Governments inaction could well go down as the greastest crime against humanity in history, allowing the world's most vulnerable people, and even our own children, to suffer at the hands of an irreversible catastrophe they played no part in causing"

Strong words but part of what drives me with my missionary zeal is this sense that: "my life has been entirely fueled by the blissful ignorance I had about the lifestyle that I have been given to me because of the luck of my birthplace"

when I first heard the quote "there but for the grace of God go I" rang true to me and lead me on this exciting jopurney that has been my life.

Check out this video and tell me if it moves you to action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jMXJ7jsj-4&NR=1

I invite you to join me in the Climate Justice Fast on Dec 7 and Dec 18 the first and last day of COP 15 and send prayers to our world leaders and negotiators that they open their hearts in listening for the greatest good for all people.

Time for a walk to the Co-op and one last piece of fruit before my fast begins.

May we all know peace and carry that peace into action to reshape our world.

Edina to Copenhagen...not so far

Election Day 2009...remember last year? The whole country...perhaps much of the world was watching America and feeling this amazing change take place. As I walked down to Weber Park warming house to cast my vote for Edina School Board I was thinking about context and how important that is to set the scene for something big to happen.

Well, something very big is happening and like Obama's inauguration in January, I just need to be there.

The UN Summit on Climate Change will be held in Copenhagen Denmark from Dec. 7- 18 and it promises to be full of difficult negotiations, inspiring partnerships, humbling realizations and hopefully unexpected breakthrus. Heaven knows we need some big shifts to align the stars with a new pathway back to 350 ppm of CO2, the science based number referring to the safe maximum level of CO2 in our air to keep the Earth humming along the way it's been for the past few centuries..

the bad news....we passed 350 about 20 years ago and are now hovering dangerously close to the 4th century. so now that I've bummed everyone out here's the hopeful news that can help to create a Hopenhagen out of Copenhagen.

You.

10 days ago tens of thousands of you stood up, climbed mountains, had a cabinet meeting under the ocean surface in scuba gear, sang songs to the Earth and each others and tossed frisbees for the planet.....in 5200 locations in 181 countries...most of the countries that will be haggling out the details in Copenhagen for the most important of all treaties ever signed.

You did that, and now the real work of re-building our precious planet continues....and perhaps you'll come back to see how a frisbee player and retired 2nd grade teacher and a bunch of friends got together with a few million other unique humans to say "NO" to business as usual and "Yes" to building new systems for operating spaceship Earth....we seem to have lost the directions.

check out 350.org and 1 Sky for some inspiring scenes about you and your fellow humans on the move....I'll be back...more context to set the stage...with your help.