Live from Copenhagen -12/11/09

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