copenhagen Archive

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  Trifling with the Truth

  
  
  
  In politics, it is said – especially by those not in politics – truth is the first casualty.  You do not have to be long in this game to know that ‘truth’, whose ‘true’ meaning philosophers spend aeons in the hereafter debating, is an elastic commodity on the parliamentary market.  But among politicians themselves, there [...] read more
  February 24, 2010 4:45 pm - 13 Comments
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  Copenhagen 10: Goodbye, Therese

  
  
  
  We never really gave up on each other, Therese and I. I doubt I shall see Therese. Not this time. Not at the Copenhagen Climate Conference of 2009. Perhaps, perhaps not. Anyway, as she would say, ha, ha, ha. Bye Therese. Thanks for everything. read more
  December 19, 2009 6:00 pm - 6 Comments
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  At Copenhagen, world leaders bicker while biosphere burns

  
  
  
  I might as well keep featuring George Monbiot, incisive as ever, this time about the “leadership” shown at Copenhagen. Even before the farce in Copenhagen began it was looking like it might be too late to prevent two or more degrees of global warming. The nation states, pursuing their own interests, have each been passing the parcel of [...] read more
  December 19, 2009 5:04 pm - 121 Comments
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  Copenhagen Diary: It is a disgrace

  
  
  
  Tonight’s outcome in Copenhagen is a tragedy for humanity. It is  widely recognised as a failure papered over with some fine sounding words by Obama. The purpose of the meeting was to agree on a second commitment period for the Kyoto  protocol. That has not been achieved. We came here wanting an ambitious, fair and binding agreement. [...] read more
  December 19, 2009 1:03 pm - 76 Comments
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  Copenhagen Diary #6: Catching the climate train

  
  
  
  A crowd of people set out to catch a train. The train had already left some time ago but was moving quite slowly, though steadily. It was still possible to catch the train if everyone ran. It was vital that they caught the train as disaster was chasing them. Also, no-one could get on the [...] read more
  December 19, 2009 8:24 am - 9 Comments
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  Copenhagen 9: Let Us Refuse to Acknowledge ‘Defeat’

  
  
  
  The ‘blame-game’ industry will get a new lease-on-life in the New Year. The Danish leadership has been trenchantly criticised – both for its organizational shortcomings and, far more importantly, for its hapless strategic misjudgements in the negotiations. read more
  December 19, 2009 4:52 am - 12 Comments
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  Copenhagen Diary #5

  
  
  
  In the midst of the gloom about the chances of a deal, it is worth recording one small victory for the planet. There has been a huge amount of work by the NGOs to protect biodiversity and indigenous rights and they have been restored in the text. read more
  December 19, 2009 3:21 am - 1 Comment
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  A video message from Green MPs in Copenhagen

  
  
  
  As the COP15 climate summit draws to a close, Jeanette Fitzsimons and Kennedy Graham offer their views on what is, and isn’t, happening at this most important of international meetings. Jeanette discusses the lack of emissions reduction targets thusfar offered by rich nations, and the $100 billion pledge from the US that will begin in 2020 to assist [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 11:14 pm - 1 Comment
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  Key at Copenhagen: A stomach turns

  
  
  
  Like all those who inhabit this particular pond, I’m extraordinarily grateful for authoritative, lucid and moving posts from Jeanette and Kennedy in Copenhagen. I hang on every word, both online here and in our offline caucus briefings, and it’s no surprise that Jeanette is clearly the “go to” person for NZ media trying to figure [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 12:57 pm - 53 Comments
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  Copenhagen 8: Peering through the Eye of the Needle

  
  
  
  We are at the moment of truth, here in Copenhagen. For 8 days the conference has ground along in true diplomatic style, officials parsing words and bracketing phrases within the mindless straitjacket of 193 inflexible cabinet decisions thrashed out in advance of what purports to be multilateral negotiations.  Behind the screens, leaders are talking.  But not [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 11:12 am - 5 Comments