Reflections from Copenhagen - Blog from Joan Brown, osf- Odyssey Networks


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Reflections from Copenhagen

By Joan Brown, OSF

December 15

I feel fortunate to not be one of the 1000's who were registered to get into COP 15 today with 2 badges, but who stood in the que (line) for hours. I arrived at 7:30 and was in before 8:00...a blessing.

Fewer and fewer NGO delegates are allowed in as dignitary numbers swell. Over 45,000 in total registered for throughout the meetings and fire capacity inside is for 15,000. Thousands of civil society people are outside at the Klime Forum and in the streets protesting the unfairness of the meetings.

December 13

Blessings this night! I have just had wonderful homemade fresh bread, soup and gløgg (a traditional Danish hot drink) and wonderful conversation with my Danish hosts Michael and Mia. Now I will fill you in on the amazing events of Saturday and Sunday.

While it is difficult to talk with the actual US delegates, I am finding it much easier to talk with those of the less powerful countries. Yesterday I had a very informative lunch with a Bangladesh NGO delegate who is an official government delegate simply because Bangladesh could not afford to send many people to the COP 15. I learned about reforestation projects in Bangladesh where people are living in water because land is being drowned.

December 12

Blessings this day!

As I entered the Center today I was greeted by some of the many wonderful young people in green elf costumes and a polar bear singing the 12 days of Christmas.

This is a summary of the meeting thus far from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance: On the tenth day in Denmark the UN gave to me Emissions a-leaping No Indigenous rights Peat lands a draining Endangered species Forests converted Crap MRV Too much fossil fuels Trees chain sawed No strings attached And a big fat logging subsidy!

December 7

Blessings from Copenhagen!

I have arrived in commuter heaven. Travel by train, bus and metro is so easy and timely. After getting off the train and climbing the steps to street level, What to my wondering eyes should appear?

No not reindeer, but hundreds of happy bicycles awaiting their owners return in the evening. Bikers greet me everywhere everywhere. Copenhagen has the third highest bike ridership per capita in the world.

December 5

On the eve of my trip to the Climate meeting in Copenhagen, the Advent candles of my Catholic tradition remind me that there is hope in the darkest of winter. Copenhagen, in the northern hemisphere experiences vast darkness of the winter solstice season as thousands gather for this historic meeting. The symbolism of the season is not lost. We are an Earth people in a time of planetary dimming, and yet, we hold a promise of hope through choices for the common good.

December 2

Never did I imagine when growing up on the farm in Kansas that I would be headed to Copenhagen for an international meeting. Nor, did I ever think I would be addressing the concerns of climate change and its effects upon the earth community. As Dorothy from the movie The Wizard of Oz says, “Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore”. Places like Kansas, New Mexico and many islands and continents on the planet are also beginning to not recognize themselves.

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Reflections from Copenhagen
A blog by Joan Brown, OSF
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December 2
December 5
December 7
December 12
December 13
December 15

Faith at the Summit
	At the White House Reverend Richard Cizik attended a holiday reception at the White House where he had a brief conversation with President Obama. The topic? Climate change. Watch now

	Video Gallery From video diaries from faith leaders and youth delegates to daily highlights, visit our gallery to learn more about the intersection of faith and the environment. Make sure to leave a comment after viewing a video. Visit the video gallery.

	Blogs Franciscan Sister Joan Brown is blogging about her experiences in Copenhagen. Read her blog here.

	Grace Matters Listen as author Bill McKibben and conservation expert Sara Spoonheim discuss faith, the environment and how we can all play a part. Listen or download a file here.