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