Archive for December, 2009
December 17th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Below is an on-site communication from Paradigm Nouveau fan Amy Guinan, live from Copenhagen:
Hello!
The international unity and shared purpose in Copenhagen has inspired me profoundly. From my conversations, the marches and rallies in the streets, and the discussions and presentations at the People’s Summit, I have seen that a powerful unifying theme is emerging in the climate discussion – and it is Climate Justice. The rallying cry is for -and from- the people who will most suffer from climate change – not for business or economic safeguards, but for justice (“lesser” developed countries are not the ones dumping carbon in the air, yet climate change will hit them the hardest). This is refreshingly different from what I expected 
in the climate discussion.
Today, like all other days, was jam-packed with opportunities for engagement. From the lectures and presentations in the People’s Summit to the daily marches and protests (Saturday’s march drew 100,000 people), from the art exhibits around town to the open air discussions in the city square, Copenhagen is buzzing with activity and discussion. I pinch myself in astonishment when I recall that my day was spent listening to speeches by Bill McKibben of 350, Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, and Naomi Klein (under a circus tent in the squatter community of Christiana!)
There is discont
ent brewing about the lack progress in the Bella Center, and if a binding treaty is not agreed upon in Copenhagen it will merely add more fuel to a fire of that is already burning hot. Bill McKibben commented that MIT students are in the Bella Center making parts per million projections based on carbon reduction compromises being negotiated. Today, as the current agreements stand (the US cutting 17% by 2020, EU 40% by 2050, etc), the carbon in parts per million in the atmosphere in 2100 will be 770 PPM!!! 350, as we all recall, being the uppermost limit for a life-sustaining planet.
I conclude that the power will have to come from the people to the leaders. Our voices must grow louder and our numbers stronger as we continue to pressure our leaders. Wednesday we march to the Bella Center with the goal of those inside coming outside to meet us, the people they represent, for a REAL discussion. If the march on Saturday is any indicator of the power we can expect, the people united will not be divided.
Miss you all. Love,
Amy
December 11th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Below is a dialogue between Amy Guinan and PNE CEO Audrey James on the action from Copenhagen:
Dear Audrey:
The climate talks are definitely getting warm over here in Copenhagen.
As I roamed the streets today, both looking for some protest action and a place to sleep (the former easier to find than the latter), helicopters buzzed overhead, impromptu climate art exhibits appeared on bridges and in open plazas, a crowd of Nepalese women wore sashes that read “Save the Himalayas,” and posterboard arrows pointed to Klima Action centers and activist camps throughout the downtown area. It’s buzzing over here and the possibilities for daily action are unlimited: from volunteering at the food banks, to the huge 60,000+ march tomorrow morning, to the all-night drum session for climate justice, I am so hopeful that the world leaders in the Bella Center, where the negotiations are happening, hear the commotion we are all making out here in the streets.
Copenhagen itself is amazing. Bikes abound, bridges and canals form the city, the metro and bus system is very easy to navigate (now if only the beer wasn’t 8 bucks a pint…:). Most notable, though, is the international feel in the city presently. I was at a rally meeting last night for an action targeted at big corporate polluters (which today is now all over the news for its effectiveness); translations were happening in French, Italian, German. In fact, when the members of the assembled crowd were asked who was Danish – or knew the city of Copenhagen – a very small percentage of hands went up. There are people from all over the globe expressing and acting on their concern for our planet (the carbon spewed getting us here, though, is definitely devastating to think about – some major tree planting needed to offset this one.)
I am still settling in and have finally found a place to sleep – in a communal warehouse provided by the efforts of a number of Danish NGO’s. Tomorrow I will join a large march and will then volunteer at one of the Klima camps – the drum session seems in the cards, too. In the upcoming days actions related to food justice, climate refugees, and industrialization will all occur. Along with a bunch of crazy parties and concerts – Euro style.
I am grateful to be here and to be part of this international movement. I look forward to the upcoming actions and am confident the voices in the streets will grow louder and louder. Hey, world leaders, do you hear us yet?
Much love to all – miss you.. I will send pictures as soon as I get an adapter cord. :)
Amy
Dear Amy:
Thanks so much for your communication Amy!
I am inspired and hopeful on many levels after reading your words.
Please know that your presence there represents hundreds if not thousands of us who would join you in a heartbeat.
Stay well and get a good night’s sleep so you can continue to rock from Copenhagen!
Your friend and partner in Climate Change & Global Transformation.
Audrey James
CEO Paradigm Nouveau Enterprises
December 5th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
People are great!
If I had believed what everyone said about the way life “is” instead of listening to my own experience, I probably couldn’t say people are great.
In almost 50 years of life, I’ve directly felt the effects of the Vietnam War from my father, survived a family divorce, lived through a tornado, gave birth and raised two children, and helped my mother with cancer and assisted in her dying and death process, just to name a few of many significant events. Life by no means has been easy. Yet my track record shows resilience, success, and experience. I’ve started more than one business and am a community leader. Interestingly enough, people consider that I’m naive because I’m still open to life and see the good in people. I’m not naive … and I am OPEN to the inspiration that life offers at every turn.
People ask me how I stay open when everyone knows how tough life really is. I tell them I’ve come to a realization that people are equal parts great and foolish, and it simply comes down to choosing one’s focus on others. I’m amazed as I watch my daughter go through high school amid a culture of gossip, looking good, and two-faced behavior. I find that as a parent I’m given constant invitations to step into teen land and banter. Business, media and politics look like sophisticated versions of this same culture. But here’s the thing … not all of it is. In fact, a lot of it isn’t. It simply requires shifting one’s focus to see a whole other 
side to people. Because people are great.
I recently came across a study that identified a human need to assist or help others (to really explore this feel free to read the article). Fundamentally it appears that humans are social creatures whose biology is more giving than previously thought.
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