SES to COP15

SES to COP16

2010-12-02T13:27:00.000-06:00

Please follow the adventures of the second delegation of SES students to attend a United Nations climate change convention! COP16 is being held in Cancun, Mexico.
http://sescop16.blogspot.com/

The Journey in Photographs

2009-12-28T21:24:00.038-06:00

Now that the travels of the SESEF student delegation are officially over, I feel it is the ideal time to recap the events which have come to pass. The photographs below tell much more of our adventures than I could ever share through use of words alone. It is my hope that through the application of powerful visuals, this incredible experience might be allowed a greater sense of reality to the community back home.

After seemingly infinite hours of travel, we arrived at the Copenhagen Airport in a state of severe disorientation.

Pictured: Luke & Ashley

The first experiences we had in Copenhagen would ultimately foreshadow the entirety of the trip. That goes to say: experiencing public transportation was one of the key aspects to this field study.

Pictured: Jessica, Luke, Tara, Deon, David, Katie, & Ashley

Our first full day in Sweden we traveled to meet the hospitable Mayor of Landskrona who provided us with informational books about the city.

Pictured: Ashley, David, Beth, Mayor's Wife, Mayor's Grandchild, Mayor, Beth, Jessica, Tara, Deon, Alex, & Katie

At the introdutory luncheon, Mr.Johnson offered the Minnesota flag to the Swedish students as a token of our appreciation.

Pictured: Katie, Beth, & Mr.Johnson

I spent much of the first day of the conference exploring various parts of the Bella Center. The area displayed was one of the busiest in the center, serving as a path between the large forum center and more specialized meeting rooms.

This is one of the two huge plenary rooms where the official business of the Convention was carried out.

This is the largest of the open delegate working spaces. I often found myself typing furiously in this sea of laptops with individuals from at least four distinctly different world regions surrounding me. It was an incredible place to sit in awe and soak up the sheer magnitude of the conference.

The official SESEF Delegation Photo.

Pictured: Beth, Alex, Katie, Jessica, Deon, Tara, Ashley, Beth, Luke, & David

This is a display of a usual morning at the COP15. We congregated in the forum, discussed the exciting events of the day, updated the blog, checked email, and scampered off to whatever side events or plenary sessions provoked intrigue.

Pictured: Deon, Jessica, Mr. Johnson, & Mr. Johnson

The conference encompassed a huge variety of side events from all ends of the earth. At this particular event, I was able to witness a traditional dance from a woman of a small island nation. Her performance, rich in cultural identity, was a powerful mechanism for reminding people just what is at stake if we don't work to combat the effects of climate change.

I also had the chance to hear the powerful words of the Intergovernmental Panal on Climate Change (IPCC) as they discussed plans for their Fifth Assessment Report.

One of the most influental people attending the conference was Rajendra K. Pachauri: the highly regarded chairman of the IPCC.

Some of the other delegates and I attended various scheduled youth events. This particular event in diplay entailed the creation of a "rainstorm" to call attention to the youth's demand for climate justice.

Throughout the course of the conference, interviews were collected from a wide variety of people wherever the opportunity presented itself.

Pictured: Katie

Occasionally we became the subject of an interview as well. At this time, Deon and Katie were being interviewed by people who wanted a youth perspective on the controversial riots at the conference.

Pictured: Deon

We had the opportunity to skype with students back at SES during their classtime. In this photo, David is conveying something of importance to classmates back home.

Pictured: Jessica, Tara, Ashley, & David

The last day we attended the conference, riots broke out around the perimeter of the conference center. One of the Swedish students named Amanda exemplified the general mass of people attempting to exit the building with her look of anxious confusion.

Pictured: Amanda

We learned how to effectively pass time while riding trains, waiting for trains, or simply waiting.

Pictured: Tara & Jessica

I (clearly) took pictures to pass the time on our various adventures with public transportation.

One of the days not at the conference was spent in the beautiful city of Lund. We toured a cathedral, roamed the streets, and enjoyed the festive sounds of the Santa Lucia concert.

Pictured: Ashley & Luke

The holiday spirit could be seen everywhere we went in Sweden. In the transit center, we stumbled upon a group of students singing the traditional holiday music.

We spent an afternoon taking in the sights of Copenhagen.

In the city, we congregated at the Copenhagen Live Center and scoped out the happenings.

Pictured: Jessica, Deon, Beth, Alex, Tara, Luke, Ashley, David, & Katie

After presenting at the Midwest Youth side event, we had the opportunity to network and make some valuable acquaintances.

Pictured: Ashley, Mr. Johnson, Alex, David, Katie, Will Steger, Beth, & Luke

Although this educational experience was wonderful and wholly enlightening...
Pictured: Luke & David

...we were eager to return home for the holidays after so much time spent in transit.

Pictured: Katie

Expedition Copenhagen In Three Words

2009-12-25T12:47:00.000-06:00

Expedition Copenhagen Will Steger Foundation delegates wrap up the UN climate negotiations In three words. (The SESEF delegation makes an appearance at 50 seconds.)

Music provided with permission by May Erlewine.

It is good to be home. God Jul! (Merry Christmas)

--Katie PS.

Final Thoughts from COP 15

2009-12-24T13:55:00.007-06:00

Maja's dog, Nelson (named after Nelson Mandela!)

Check out Maja's incredible photography at her website here.

The following is an entry that I wrote on my blog on our last night of the trip (or at least what was supposed to be our last night!)

Today marks the end of one journey, but the beginning of another. Maja and I just spent the past hour talking about the contrast between American and Swedish family, politics, education, etc., which is always fun. But now it is 11pm, and I am beginning to realize that it is my last night here in Landskrona, Sweden. Tomorrow we board the train for the Copenhagen airport at 7am, and I will be returning home in Minneapolis at 5pm, while it will be 2am here in my jet-lag Swedish time :\ We have been making Jul (Christmas) candy all evening, and her aunt, cousin, and brother all came over for dinner. We lit the fourth advent candle tonight, too. Is Christmas really in 5 days ö

I have been proudly singing this traditional Swedish Christmas song around the house lately:

Goder morgon, Goder morgon

Både herre och fru

Vi önskar eder alla en fröjdefull jul.

(Good morning, good morning

Both ladies and gentlemen

We wish you all a peaceful Merry Christmas.)

But anyway, here is a my more-extensive-than-intended field study reflection of this trip, in which I have attempted to describe how the Conference shaped my understanding of climate change and climate change politics, as well as how the cultural immersion shaped my experiences in Sweden:

COP15 Field Study Reflection height="500" width="450" > value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=24351180&access_key=key-q765fbwb2ue2ku73vk3&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list">

This is it, the end of a great adventure, yet the start of another. It is good to be home at last, after 2 unexpected days of travel and 4 crazy flights.

Thank you for your support along our journey!

God Jul,

--Katie PS.

Travel Update - Part 2

2009-12-21T13:57:00.002-06:00

Greetings, we are updating from the Copenhagen Hilton compliments of KLM. If you know someone who works for KLM please give them our thanks for working SO hard to get our group home before the holidays. Remember that the most up to date information can be obtained by calling the school 952-431-8750 as we may not have internet connections along the way.

Basics: We will be arriving in two groups with each group landing at MSP on Wednesday around 10:00 am. Both groups will arrive via London and Toronto (our next hotel stay) with one group routed through Ottawa.

Details: Tara, Ashley, David, Deon, Lucas, B. Johnson

Copenhagen -> London via Scandinavian Airlines SK 503 (departing tomorrow noon)

London -> Toronto via Air Canada AC859 (our overnight flight) arriving Toronto Tuesday 10:25 pm (and spending the night)

Toronto - > MSP via Air Canada AC7941 arriving MSP at 10:37 am and needing a ride home

Details: Jessica, Beth, Beth, Katie, Alex, C. Johnson

Copenhagen -> London via Scandinavian Airlines SK501 (depart tomorrow 7:45 am)

London -> Ottawa via Air Canada AC 889 arriving 2:55 pm (our long flight)

Ottawa -> Toronto via Air Canada AC 459 arriving 5:07 pm (and spending the night)

Toronto -> MSP via Delta DL2509 arriving 10:03 am and needing a ride home

Off we go again.

Travel Update

2009-12-21T06:36:00.001-06:00

Just a quick post to let you know that our flight to Amsterdam and the flight from Amsterdam have been cancelled. We are working with KLM to reschedule around a crazy set of flights here in Europe because of a snowstorm the past two days. People are getting to the states from every possible airport.

We are currently stranded in Copenhagen but will know more within the hour. Most reschedules are getting home a day late but it is possible that we may be home later yet. Parents should call the school after noon for the latest update. We are working from both ends to get back in groups. Wish us luck.

The Country of Sweden

2009-12-19T12:43:00.006-06:00

Sweden, a primarily secular country, a capitalistic society, an Eden of culture and progress, is where I was honored to learn and live for the past two weeks. At my home stay in Landskrona, Sweden, I had the opportunity to talk to a local college student. Her name is Tanya, and she is a friend of my home stay family. We were able to talk about many issues and benefits in the country of Sweden.

After World War II, Sweden was very welcoming to immigration, but recently it has become more and more of a problem here. Most immigrants come from places such as Iraq, Iran, Albania, and other countries suffering from war. These people all flood to the same neighborhoods in cities, causing some problems with the locals. While most people in Sweden don’t mind the immigrants, others have grown to dislike these new residents. As Tanya put it, people see these ethnic neighborhoods as slums or so called bad areas in town. This causes most people to avoid areas or towns with immigrants and these ethnic neighborhoods. Strife with immigrants has prompted a new political party in Sweden, whose aim is to close the borders to immigrants.

As some parts of the Swedish government are trying to close borders, other parts are a great help to the lives of the Swedish people. I was amazed to hear from Tanya that every part of school is free This means that school lunches are free, school trips are free, and every course fee is free. Some even get paid money each month to go to school. This system is extends to colleges and universities. The government has made school a resource available to each and every citizen to produce a well-educated population. Beyond school, heath care is free and insurance is nonexistent. Women are always paid from the government when on maternity leave from work, and the husband is paid during this time. The negative side to all of these benefits is that residents must pay high taxes and the cost of living is also higher.

This country, like any other, has issues, but it is also a beautiful and progressive place. I believe I can speak for the whole delegation when I say we will all miss this country and culture.

COP15- this is it.

2009-12-19T10:53:00.007-06:00

Throughout this entire journey of COP15, party members and NGOs alike have been saying that this is it, this is our final chance to make a meaningful policy for climate change that will work effectively with the shrinking amount of time we have left. Unfortunately what we want is not always what we get.

Although no major policy was formed out of COP15, five counties with major economies drafted their own policy to help combat climate change. The US, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa all signed an agreement with good intentions. Their agreement has no specific plans on cutting emissions, only that they will not let global temperature rise 2 degrees C. This may not sound like much but it is a huge step in the right direction. During the Kyoto Protocol, the US and developing nations butted heads, but now the US is on board with India and China, and not in disagreement with them like they were in the past. "This is a consensus that will serve as the foundation for global action against climate change for years to come," stated Obama, obviously pleased with this outcome.

Many small nations and developing nations are very displeased with this outcome. "This is a declaration that small and poor countries don't matter, that international civil society doesn't matter, and that serious limits on carbon don't matter," said Bill McKibben, the head of the environmental activist group 350.org. "The President has wrecked the U.N., and he's wrecked the possibility of a tough plan to control global warming." Some people believe that this agreement is just the same as if nothing had come out of COP. Either way you choose to look at it, the US and China as still the big emitters and because they have not agreed to binding limits on their emissions nothing is going to change.

Museum exhibits and current lessons

2009-12-18T19:37:00.007-06:00

Due to the massive amount of public interest in the Cop15 negotiations a much larger crowd than anyone had originally anticipated arrived at the Bella center this morning to hear speeches from many of the worlds most powerful leaders. Party members and press were giving additional credentials to attend this mornings sessions; however only ninety of twenty two thousand Non-governmental accredited observers (NGOs) were given the additional pass needed to enter the conference today. This unforeseen event allowed the other SESEF delegates and myself the chance to experience what else was happening in Copenhagen away from the Bella Center. I used this opportunity to surround myself in the interactive atmosphere of Denmark's National Museum. One of the most fascinating exhibits was dedicated entirely to indigenous people from all different parts of the world. The exhibit was divided into sections and each section contained information and artifacts on the indigenous people from one country or a specific area of the world.

All of the cultures featured in the exhibit were under the threat of westernization or had already disappeared entirely from the earth. One section in particular caught my attention as one of the most endangered groups of people on the planet. The native pacific islanders are a group of people we heard a great deal about and from at the COP 15 conference. Because of rising sea levels due to climate change they are being forced to leave their native lands. More specifically, their land is slowly disappearing. Cultures are shaped around their environment; if you take away the environment you take away the culture. The exhibit could only offer brief snapshots of entire groups of people who had already disappeared forever. I can only wonder how many more cultures will be added to this exhibit in the next century.

Meshwork

2009-12-18T16:16:00.003-06:00

One of the neat things available at the KlimaForum (The People’s Summit) is a meshwork. As the Klimaforum meshwork information sheet states, “a meshwork is a way for people and organizations to self organize around a common framework - online and face-to-face - to locate and develop action relationships and exchange knowledge and resources to make a greater impact.” Most recently, the meshwork process was used in Brazil to develop a framework for achieving an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. The Klimaforum Action Areas are as follows:

1. Communication of the environmental
challenge
2. A just/sustainable climate deal
3. Equity
4. Sustainable energy technology and
energy systems
5. Sustainable utilization of resources and
food
6. Sustainable agriculture, forestry and
fishery
7. Alternative economics and sustainable
development
8. Sustainable lifestyles
9. Education

In one of the KlimaForum halls, tables are set up for each of these areas and anyone who is interested is invited to sit down and contribute anything they can to the discussion. I was able to participate in the education area. Education is one of my favorite topics, and of huge importance to the future of climate change policy and results. Jessica and I spoke to the woman there about SES, and she was extremely intrigued. She was especially impressed by how involved we told her the students were in developing projects and the fact that out wind turbine project was passed down from student to student over the course of four years and was still accomplished. We recorded this and a few other concepts on post-it notes, which were added to the meshwork case study and idea board. It made us proud to be contributing to a global web of knowledge. The next day, Jessica and Tara went to the meshwork area again, and the women we had spoke to referred them to some students from a school in Denmark, with whom they were also able to exchange ideas about environmental education and the greening of schools. This meshwork was a great opportunity to meet other people that have similar interests, and hopefully the information we shared will benefit those we met.

There is also an online climate solutions meshwork that anyone can participate in. Users create a profile that lists information such as location, interest areas, and projects. When “synchronize” is clicked, the meshwork identifies other users with similar information so that users can contact each other to collaborate on ideas and projects. It’s a great program for anyone interested in, or already doing, environmental work.

http://2020.global.gaiaspace.org/global/pg/dashboard/

The ups and downs of Public Transportation

2009-12-17T23:53:00.009-06:00

In both Landskrona and Copenhagen we have the wonderful opportunity to take advantage of their efficient, user friendly public transportation system. Each day we take advantage of the train that leaves at promptly at 8:22 and usually reach Copenhagen around 9:30. It is an impressive travel time considering the distances we are traveling.

Unfortunately the train´s most ideal arrival times do not always played out. With problems like mechanical difficulties, weather, coordinating tracks with other trains, and the speed at which riders can board, consistency is sometimes difficult to find. As an example, our train leaving Copenhagen central last night was delayed by 20 minutes. The trains were so overloaded that when the last stragglers who attempted to squeeze into the last bit of standing room space began blocking the doors the train was disabled and delayed from leaving for some time.

Today, President Obama will be attending the COP15 meetings. His arrival will shut down the entire system for an unknown amount of time. Our group expects delays and a little hard work from both our group, and the train system, but we will still be heading to Copenhagen to view what sessions we can (round of congratulatory applause!).

German Business

2009-12-17T23:32:00.005-06:00

The Germans are the world's leading carbon dioxide neutral country, and they have a thriving business market. If Germany can have carbon neutrality with a thriving business, then why can’t America? During their presentation the German Business for Climate Protection or BDI initiative was open in listing the many ways that they succeeded in accomplishing their carbon neutrality.

1) They created climate friendly coal plants using carbon capture and storage.

2) They created climate friendly transport such as electric trains.

3) They build new houses that reduce carbon dioxide emissions down to nearly zero. Something as common as insulation can reduce a home's carbon emissions.

The German Minister of the Environment expressed his views on how the COP 15 was coming along in short bursts. In one such burst he said, “If we were to try to achieve CO₂ neutral business through renewables then we would rely heavily on contraction (a declining global cap which would be set on worldwide carbon emissions) and convergence (moving over time over towards equal per capita carbon emission rights). We need a short term goal or we won't see investment in CDMs or other business technologies. We also need a long term goal to keep the investments rising. I think that an effective protocol would use a ranking of countries that produce carbon products. If we were to do this then China would be the largest CO₂ emitter because they export coal, computers, and other technologies. If we were to rely on CDMs then CDMs will have to change because they (CDMs) will not save us as they are now.” Through other remarks made by the German minister it was clear that Germany’s goal for COP 15 is for an agreement in which all countries would adhere to one standard, and to make the protocol larger than what is being proposed right now. He said that COP 15 is a big chance for the United Nations to press forward on carbon emission targets later saying, “We have a moral duty to be successful!”

One of the business speakers made clear that it is in the interest of all nations to be at the forefront of eco-friendly business, because, along with industry, these are the markets that will generate employment in the future.

Project Survival Pacific: Voices of the Pacific

2009-12-17T14:02:00.005-06:00

Written by Deon and Jessica

On Monday as we walked into the main hall of the Bella Center we passed yet another person handing out sheets of paper. At the conference, you learn to keep your hands down or in your pockets to avoid being given countless documents you'll never look at again. Yet this particular woman mentioned something that sparked both the attention of both us and we took the paper. It was an announcement calling us to a side event in which eleven young people from Pacific nations were speaking. Being interested in the voices coming from both youth and vulnerable nations, we attended the event at 2 pm.

It began with an announcer who gave basic facts about Pacific nations. There are 8.6 million people living in the Pacific, and over 1000 languages are spoken there. Many Pacific nations are very close to sea level. The highest point in the Maldives is 4 meters above sea level, and on Kiribati it is just 3 meters.

One or two representatives from each of 9 countries spoke about specific issues their nation was facing. Almost all of the representatives talked about facing saltwater intrusion and therefore a freshwater shortage. This can be directly linked to a rising sea level, which comes from melting glaciers, a result of an increasing global temperature. Freshwater shortages lead to food security problems in many of these nations, and they can no longer profit from agriculture. Many of the nations also are hit with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and storms, which also contributes to their inability to produce enough food.

During this session there were also many unique surprises. A few of the speakers performed a traditional dance, which was very neat to watch. We were also served coconut ice, which is a typical (very delicious) treat in many of the island nations. Towards the end, two of the speakers performed fabulous poems they had written. One particularly poignant line by the young woman from the Caribbean islands read, "that money you make, it's killing our children."

One of the issues that Deon has been focusing her research on at the conference is equality, so this session was especially meaningful to her. Jessica has been focusing some of her research on the Alliance of Small Island States, so it was a natural interest for her as well. These small Pacific nations are begging the developed countries to help them. They are emitting very little carbon themselves, yet they are being affected most strongly. The constant theme that everyone spoke about was his or her right to survive. They want their land, culture, people, and identity to survive. The young woman from the Maldives pleaded, "We are usually very happy people. Don't take our happiness away."

One country to look at is Papua New Guinea, which holds 5% of the world’s biodiversity. 75% of the country is covered in forests. 80% of the people rely on the forest for their livelihood; a local called it ‘the people’s supermarket’. Without this rich land and biodiversity, many of the people would suffer. In Papua New Guinea, the first of what may be many “climate change refugees” have already begun experiencing displacement issues. These refugees are people that have been forced to relocate because their village or home is no longer inhabitable. Forced migration, relocation and displacement are all problems the Pacific nations are faced with due to sever unpredictable weather, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and unreliable growing seasons.

Tuvalu, another small island, has become increasingly more noticeable at the conference. The country’s negotiators have said that “it is an irony of the modern world that we are waiting for some senators in the U.S Congress to conclude their discussion before we can proceed”. Tuvalu and other small island nations are willing to do anything they can in order to reach a binding agreement at COP15 that will require all nations to cut their CO2 emissions and support technology transfer in developing nations. Reaching such a contract at this point is the one thing that all the small island nations are hoping for. This truly is the last thing the world can do to help suffering in the Pacific island.

SES Presentation with Will Steger at the Klima Forum

2009-12-17T04:07:00.009-06:00

Wednesday evening we had the amazing opportunity to join the Will Steger Foundation in a presentation at the Klimaforum on, why send a youth delegation from the midwest? Will Steger was of course present, as well as MN State Representative Kate Knuth. The evening started off with an introduction of the Will Steger "Expedition Copenhagen" team and their mission in coming to Copenhagen. The team is comprised of delegates from all over the midwest; young students who specialize in topics such as forestry, mitigation, and financing. For months prior to the COP, each delegate in their respective states worked with youth in their area to raise awareness about the Copenhagen meetings. They did this by visiting high schools and planning a day of events on the international 350 day on October 24th (check out 350.org for more information). Their mission in coming here is to represent the youth of the midwest to the leaders of the world. They are here to add a presence to the youth climate change movement, as well as pressure our government to take action in the face of climate change.

After the introduction of the Steger "Expedition Copenhagen" team, it was then our honor to do a presentation on our school and our own mission in attending these meetings. Beth Shulz and David Garcia began by introducing our school and our school's mission and focus. Then Katie Paulson-Smith took the floor and spoke about YEA MN and the youth action in MN, along with some of the opportunities she has had through her mentorship class at SES. I then spoke about our mission in coming to COP15, how we were able to get here, and the preparation that took place before our departure. Luke Nagel finished it off by speaking about the unique cultural aspect of our school and our connection with our sister school in Landskrona, Sweden, the outreach that we are doing while here in Copenhagen, and our plans for outreach upon our return home. All in all I think we did an outstanding job in representing our school to the 50-70 people in attendance and soon to the many viewers on youtube. It was quite an honor to present about our school along side Will Steger and quite an amazing experience.

Following us were a few other speakers including MN State Representative Kate Knuth who spoke about climate change and policy. The number one thing that I took out of their presentation is that the midwest plays a key role if there any progress at all to be made on climate change policy in America, with several midwestern states having key "swing" senators. We as citizens of a midwestern state have the responsibilty to connect with our legislative representatives and let them know what we think and what we support. We are responsible for whether or not our country will pass climate change legislation or not, so it is very crucial that we work together in a common purpose. All who attended this meeting would say that it was a refreshing meeting with a lot of hope and excitement. It was a call of respect for the youth and all the work we are doing here in Copenhagen to educate others and let our politicians and leaders know that we are watching and we do care.

Developing Views

2009-12-17T00:06:00.005-06:00

While attending a plenary meeting (before having to leave because NGOs were not allowed to attend) I was able to hear the multiple comments made by representatives of developing countries. Some striking comments that were made, including those from a majority of the AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) that said there is no time like the present to come to an agreement. The most powerful comment came from the representative of Gambia. “Time is not on our side, we have to act now…Gambia is a very vulnerable country and wishes us to act now to save what we can while we still can”. Some of the developing countries wish to stay under the Kyoto protocol because apparently they would still be considered a developed country, thus allowing them to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere along with gaining financing and technologies from developed countries. Some statements were also made by Nigeria and Niger concerning the countries in the Saharan region of Africa affected by global climate change, stating their vulnerability along with adaptation or mitigation problems.

Another comment that was met with many curious eyes all pointing to one direction was made by the Syrian Arab representative who proposed that the most effective action would be to implement provisions from the Kyoto protocol, along with a recommendation that resources be mobilized for use around the world. The same representative made clear that he hadn’t heard anyone speak of land degradation, or desertification.

A speaker representing the Climate Action Network (over 500 NGO’s) decided to make a short speech. She said, “The survival of our race as people is non- negotiable we need to accept the mark as the industrialized age by saving our species not by killing it… now will you emerge as heroes, as people who will do something or no?” No statement made as much of a ruckus as a statement made by Amira Karim, a woman from Singapore representing the YOUNGO (Youth Non-governmental Organizations) constituency. “This is not the time to say ‘yes we can’ it is the time to say ‘yes we can, yes we must, yes we will’!”

The Importance of Ice

2009-12-15T15:57:00.012-06:00

Perhaps many of you have been wondering about how climate change affects us here in the United States. We have written and told you a lot about how small island nations and developing countries are affected, but what does climate change really mean for the US? It's true that a lot of the US will not see direct affects of an increase rise in temperature but one state, Alaska, has already been suffering from an increase in temperature in the last 50 years. Today I was able to sit in on a meeting that was put on by the United States and learn a little more about this situation.

Alaska, which has only been a state for 50 years, will suffer the most from climate change; and not only the environment but the people as well. So far Alaska's coast has been changed considerably by erosion and flooding brought on by lack of ice in the fall and winter. Normally, the ice covered sea surrounding Alaskan communities on the northwestern coast blocks storms and high water from reaching the land. Because of a rise in temperature by 3.1 degrees over the past decades, this ice is either no longer present or forms later than it used to. This ice used to protect indigenous peoples villages on the coast but most are now threatened with survival because of the impact of decreased ice, intense storms, and flooding destroying their infrastructure. Many remote, off the grid communities are having to be relocated so that these people do not lose their precious culture. These communities want to stay together but the possibility of relocating is often difficult because this costs so much for our government.

Currently, not much has been proposed to help these communities in the long term, but there are some short term options. Mainly so far, rock walls are built along shores to act as a buffer to the waves, but still this is expensive, costing around 25 millions dollars for a completed project. There are many plans to move communities but only the future can tell if these plans can be carried out to save these indigenous communities that add to the meaning of our native country.

This picture is of the small indigenous village of Kivalina, Alaska which is experiencing loss of sea ice. Coastal erosion threatens the safety of their fuel storage tanks. Without these tanks the village cannot survive the winter and without the ice surrounding the community, it is very hard to travel to and from the area. An eight mile sand strip as the only way to get to the community by land. A community like this would suffer a great deal without the ice if they ever needed to evacuate because they have practically no where to go.

Climate Smart Smorgasbord

2009-12-15T09:08:00.006-06:00

Today, myself and the other SESEF delegates joined the Swedish students in a "climate smart" (low carbon) potluck lunch hosted by our host high school in Landskrona Sweden, which is the city where we are living for the duration of the confrence. The participants were divided into groups composed of students from both schools, and each group was asked to prepare a traditional Swedish Christmas dish for the fifty or so people who attended the event. The goal of the potluck was to create the most carbon efficient and environmentally friendly meal. Many groups focused on foods packaged in recyclable material as well as foods that were produced near the place where they were put on the market, so as to support the local economy and reduce the amount of carbon that entered the atmosphere during the transportation process. My own group and serval others chose to walk to the store where they purchased the food and carried our food in reusable cloth bags to avoid the use of paper and plastic bags. One group was especially creative and cooked their food on a stove that had already been preheated during the preparation of an entirely different meal, in order to avoid wasting energy to preheat another stove. The most Carbon efficient meal was served cold and emitted no carbon in the preparation process. This idea of climate smart, small carbon footprint eating fits right in with the Swedish lifestyle. Things such as energy efficient, and in some cases energy free heating and cool methods, as well as the use of public transportation and healthy low carbon footprint transportation such as walking and biking have all been adopted by the average Swedish household. Climate smart living methods are also seen everywhere here in Copenhagen as well, particularly at the Bella Center, the official site of the climate conference. Everywhere I go in this massive center a recycling system is in sight, the cafes here serve minimally packaged food that appeals to every ethnicity and lifestyle in order to encourage the people to eat at the conference center to avoid using energy for transportation off site for meals. While the energy use here is still great, everyone is still doing their part to offset the carbon footprint of the conference.

A tax on meat- a vital element to a cost-effective climate policy

2009-12-15T07:24:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I sat in on a European Union session discussing how climate policy must address the rising issue of land scarcity and what options we have for failing marginal lands. What caught my attention was a lecture during the session by Dr. Fredrik Hedenus who called for an effective tax on meat.

Taking a step back, this proposed tax on meat would be filed under the category of "Methane Mitigation". Methane is a leading green house gas, second only to CO2. Unlike CO2, methane is not clearly linked to an energy source, and its emitters are few and very dispersed. This makes mitigation very difficult. In a recent analysis report released by the Copehagen Consensus Center (C.C.C.), they recommend a efficient global methane mitigation portfolio be produced by the year 2020. This portfolio would include sectors like rice, livestock, solid waste, coal mine methane, and natural gas. Potential benefits could reach net highs of 1.4-3.0, costing anywhere from $14 billion to $30 billion.

Hedenus noted that Methane sources are non-point emission sources and, as stated earlier, this makes it difficult to control and regulate than CO2. Our best option then, is to begin with the strongest most defined known source, livestock. Hedenus suggested that, because these are non-point emission sources, we must implement output based policies. The C.C.C. estimates that benefit-cost ratios could reach approximately 2 through a beef meat tax in OECD countries. This tax would reduce global emissions by 30-70 million CO2 ton equivalents per year by GWP calculations over the next 100 years.

Lots of “Hot Air” from Sweden and others

2009-12-14T17:05:00.003-06:00

Sweden, where we are staying, along with Finland and Austria were one of the first groups to receive the very prestigious “Fossil of the Day Award”, which is awarded to the country or group that makes the worst climate decision at the day’s meetings.

http://www.fossiloftheday.com/

At first I was shocked that these Nordic countries received an award before even the US. I had been riding around on Sweden’s fantastic train system and walking through towns filled with bikers thinking how nice it would be if the US could be this green. But when I looked into it, it all made sense. It all comes down to land use, which has turned out to be the highlight, and the pitfall, of negotiations so far.

Managing land use is the quickest and one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions, particularly in the short term. It also happens to be one of the most difficult things to measure. It took me a little while to figure out for myself just what was going on because some of the methodology is very complicated, but I tried to simplify it as much as possible for this blog. I know many people reading this blog are busy, but I would like to plead to you to take the time to fully understand the issues at hand, because they are much more complex than they seem. The public likes to have definitive numbers and statements that they can quote, but it is dangerous to oversimplify. I had the misfortune of listening to several excellent presentations by some of the leading researchers in the field of climate modeling, only to come to the Q and A section and hear the reporters in the room ask nothing but questions about the recent email hacker scandal. I was incredibly frustrated, and I could tell the scientist on the panel were very annoyed that these reporters would waste their time giving attention to a subject that, if they really understood it, they would realize has almost no importance. I will stop ranting now, but first must encourage you to take time to understand the issues presented here. Ask me questions if something doesn’t make sense, and don’t just take my word for it, go out and find a real, accountable source.

In order to calculate reductions you have to know what you are subtracting from. There are two basic methods for calculating a baseline for reductions; historical levels, or projected levels. Historical baselines are taken from the trends of previous years. Right now most countries are calculating their targets as some percentage below 1990 levels. Baselines can also be calculated using projected, future emission levels. CO2 emissions would be predicted using a “business as usual” scenario, and any emissions below the projected increase would be credited as a reduction.

But predicting the future is risky business. A country’s future emissions can be impacted by a whole host of unforeseeable events, such an economic recession. So consider for a moment what would happen if the predictions of future emissions turned out to be too high. Basically, it amounts to handing out free extra carbon credits. Nations could do absolutely nothing, nothing more than “business as usual”, and be credited for reductions! They could even increase emissions and be credited for reductions! Even if the predictions are completely accurate nations would still be increasing emissions, just not at the frenzied pace they predicted, and thus being credited for increases.

The term for this loophole is “Hot Air”, because the credits don’t represent any real work, and are thus just a lot of hot air. What’s worse is if a carbon trading system is set up nations with a lot of “Hot Air” could sell it as carbon credits to countries trying to reach their reduction goals, thus making the reduction promises of developed nations just a lot of hot air.

Sweden, Finland and Austria have backed an EU proposal that would allow credits for preventing deforestation to be allocated based on projected levels of logging. Basically this means that they could continue to log their forests, emitting GHG’s and destroying carbon sinks, and still be credited for reducing emissions. Sweden, Finland and Austria have significant standing forests and could reap some very significant financial benifits from this deal. They were awarded a second place “Fossil of the Day Award” for attempting to convince the rest of the world to pay them for cutting down trees.

Al Gore

2009-12-14T16:12:00.002-06:00

****************************

1. For only being at the Conference for 5 hours today, and having to wait outside for the first hour, today was a pretty amazing day. Our day began, like I said, outside in 0° C weather, and of course this was the day I decided to wear a skirt. The line stretched on for a mile, and seemed to consist of all of the lines that we had waited in on this trip combined. But throughout the hour-long wait, we spoke to an extremely interesting woman, Lisa Beal, the director of Environment and Construction Policy at Interstate Natural Gas Association of America. This was her twelfth COP; she had been attending since Kyoto. (Interview Inventory coming soon)

2. When we finally made it through security, Tara and I scurried off to a side event about “renewing the face of the earth,” in which faith-based approaches to climate justice were discussed by a panel representing the World Council of Churches and Caritas Internationalis.

The dialogue’s purpose was to bring ethical principles and voices of faith to the climate change negotiations and examine various faith-based perspectives on policies and action promoting climate justice. An interesting concept that Joy Kennedy, a member of WCC Working Group on Climate Change, brought up was that we must replace our “theology of dominance,” with a “theology of humility” for sustainability, and we must recover who we are as human beings. One man remarked from the audience that we must redefine “rich” to mean a positive relationship with Earth. Also, the president of Caritas Europa, Fr. Erny Gillen, stressed that we share “the human condition” with all other people on this planet, and thus “we are responsible for our brothers and sisters, here and elsewhere, today and tomorrow.”

3. The third and final happening of my day at the Conference was the most thrilling, but since a picture is worth a thousand words…

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme under the Arctic Council issued a new report synthesizing the latest scientific findings on the Greenland Ice Sheet, “The Greenland Ice Sheet in a Changing Climate”. The report is a preliminary product under the Arctic Council project “Climate Change and the Cryosphere: Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic” (SWIPA) and has been produced by some of the world’s leading experts and synthesizes peer‐reviewed scientific material up until the spring of 2009. It was presented by the Arctic Council Chair, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Per Stig Møller, and the lead author, Professor Dorthe Dahl‐ Jensen, at the UNFCCC COP15 side‐event “Melting Snow and Ice, a Call for Action” on December 14, 2009 at the Bella Center. (See more)

Three conclusions:

1. The Greenland Ice Sheet is losing ice mass and the glaciers are discharging more ice. The Jakobshavn Isbræ has retreated 15 kilometres in the past 8 years.

2. Recent projections of global sea level rise, including contributions from the Greenland Ice Sheet and other land‐based ice and thermal expansion of the oceans, indicate that a global sea level rise of around 1 m may occur within this century. Scientists suggest that beyond a certain point the Ice Sheet may enter an ‘irreversible’ destabilization leading to complete melting.

3. Climate change could bring new business opportunities to Greenland, but also hamper traditional subsistence activities.

Stay tuned for more Gore (he`s speaking at the Conference again tomorrow, so maybe we can reschedule our lunch date?)

Top 5 things I've learned about Swedish Culture

2009-12-14T05:52:00.009-06:00

1. Friendly to Foreigners and Natives Alike.
The first thing I noticed when arriving in Sweden is that the people are very nice and welcoming. We've had many opportunities to sit with strangers on trains and buses and they are always willing to talk and get to know you. Once I got to sit with this Swedish girl and after a few minutes of being on the train she was playing cards with myself and two other SESEF delegates. We then learned that she was on her way to the airport heading for Austria and then on to northern Italy where she was to work as a ski instructor for a few months. These types of experiences as well as interactions with my host family and friends as well as strangers on the street, have contributed to my overall impression of their general hospitality.

2. Candy the Crazed Obsession.
I haven't met one Swedish person yet who does not like candy, nor have I gone a day without some kind of sweet or chocolate. One day I got by with only having one piece of chocolate but when I arrived home my host father was prepared with three dishes filled with swedish gummies and licorice along with three boxes filled with Marzipan covered in chocolate and, to top it off, a bowl filled with chocolate bars. When you walk into any grocery, movie rental or convenience store there is always a HUGE wall of what they call "loose candies" and all of the candies are at one price to make it even easier to purchase. Candy as a common treat, not even mentioning the wonderful and delicious variety, definitely stands out as a necessity in Swedish culture.

3. Healthy Eaters.
Although they love their candy, Swedish people also prize healthy food and hold their health to an extreme importance. In my host family's home there is not even a microwave because they fear it will be a temptation to eat more conveniently and not cook every meal. Their refrigerator is always stocked with vegetables and a multiple assortment of fine cheese and pork products along with other, more organic foods, and their cupboards are stocked with teas and large assortments of flat and leavened multi grain breads. I have also noticed that they tend to eat in smaller portions multiple times a day and whenever they are hungry instead of grabbing the not commonly seen bag of chips or soda. They are more likely to grab a thin slice of flat bread, a slice of Christmas ham and make a "sandwich" with mustard on top (an example of a type of healthy snack my family eats often). As a side note, it is not common to see a fast food restaurant in the cities. Usually there is one or two in train stations, and a few more in malls and airports.

4. Public Transportation.
In Sweden there are two ways that teenagers and many adults get around town, walking/biking, or public transportation. Due to the layout of the cities, especially Landskrona, walking and biking to your friends house or the store is the number one used means of transportation. At all times are people on the sides of the road, even when the weather seems unbearably cold. They even have a separate sidewalk of sorts for bikers because it is so commonly used. So biking and walking are the number one means of transportation to get around the town, however if one needs to travel to another city it is most common to use public transportation. From my observation, I would even go as far to say that more people take the train then drive. It is cheap and very efficient, with few (if any) layovers in other cities. The train system is also very cheap and accommodates all kinds of people, with passenger cars designated for animals, and talking, as well as standing sections for train hoppers, large seated cars for first class business travelers, and silent train cars for the common book worm or sleep deprived student. The bus system is also very effective with four or five different routes throughout Landskrona. There is a bus at every stop every 7-10 minutes during busy times and usually a bus is waiting at the train station when a train pulls in on time. Most families only have one car, maybe two out in the country, so this also helps drive up the number of people who are dependent on the public transportation system.

5. Spatial Conscience.
In the cities, space is very crucial, and not many people own large homes. In my home every room is used everyday and has purposeful uses. On the main floor there is one family room where the family gathers and watches TV, a kitchen and dining area where all meals are cooked (this is the center of the home), and a small closet they call a bathroom. Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a small sitting area at the top of the stairs for a study. There is also one small community bathroom with the only shower in the home. Underneath the house is a small basement with a living room to watch movies (the teenager hang out spot) that is connected to a laundry room and a small office (aka my room for the time being) and one other bedroom. The square footage of the house is small and the house is connected to many other homes, yet it seems so full because every inch of the space is used effectively. Another home I visited had a similar layout. It was only when I visited the countryside that I saw larger homes, but even then they are used to the maximum effectiveness. In one of the country houses I visited they split the house. One half was for living purposes and the other side was their home run store for interior decorating. Another example of being space conscience was when my host father was looking in the local newspaper and saw a home had been newly built and was very skinny. It had been built where an ally between to buildings had been and was selling for a few million krona. Space is very important to the Swedish. Like we learned at the architecture exhibit, we need to build up to accommodate for our population, and that is exactly what they do.

Saint Lucia

2009-12-13T16:45:00.001-06:00

All of Sweden seems to be decorated for the holiday season. In almost every window there is a lit candelabra or star. The towns have strings of lights going across the streets and shops has gorgeous window displays. All this bright decoration light seems to cheer up the cold nights. In fact, today marks an important festival of light overcoming darkness.

Today is Saint Lucia day, a long-standing tradition that is celebrated throughout Scandinavia. Saint Lucia was born in southern Italy, in the third century A.D. Here is her story, found at http://www.newsweden.org/luciahistory.htm :

"According to the Sicilian legend, Lucia's mother, a wealthy lady, had been miraculously cured of an illness at the sepulcher of Saint Agatha in Catania. Lucia, a Christian, persuaded her mother in thankfulness to distribute her wealth to the poor. So, by candlelight, the mother and daughter went about the city secretly ministering to the poor of Syracuse. Unfortunately, this was during the last great persecution of Christians in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. The pagan young man, to whom Lucia was engaged, took a dim view of this distributing of her dowry, and denounced her to the prefect, Pascasius, who ordered that she be seized and tortured. Miraculously, when neither boiling oil nor burning pitch had the power to hurt her, she was blinded and slain with a sword. Her martyrdom is recorded in ancient sources and in an inscription found in Syracuse."

In Swedish households on the morning of December 13th, usually the eldest girl in the family portrays St Lucia, by wearing a white robe with a red sash and a crown of candles and evergreen. She serves her parents Lucia buns and coffee. Schools and towns also choose "Lucia's" (often the prettiest girl). Other girls may be maids, dressed in the white robes and carrying single candles, while boys may carry stars.

We spent the day in the town of Lund today, and this evening we were able to witness a Saint Lucia day singing performance in the town square. The choir sang beautifully. Some songs were in Swedish, and others were in English. The final song was the Santa Lucia song. Its English lyrics are as follows:

Night walks with a heavy step

Round yard and hearth,
As the sun departs from earth,
Shadows are brooding.
There in our dark house,
Walking with lit candles,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Night walks grand, yet silent,
Now hear its gentle wings,
In every room so hushed,
Whispering like wings.
Look, at our threshold stands,
White-clad with light in her hair,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Darkness shall take flight soon,
From earth's valleys.
So she speaks
Wonderful words to us:
A new day will rise again
From the rosy sky…
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Urban Dystopia

2009-12-12T20:39:00.014-06:00

On friday, we dedicated deligates had the opportunity to digress from our usual studies and go on a slight field trip. Our travels brought us across the Skagerrak (the strait separating Denmark and Sweden which is currently under Danish control) to the famous Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, located in Humlebæk, Denmark. The museum is well regarded as the most visited in all of Denmark with a gallery boasting works by such artists as Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Although I might have easily spent an entire day traversing the grounds with beaming admiration of the arts, the attention of myself and the other delegates was centered around a specific exhibit that was very inspiringly entitled 'The World is Yours'. This exhibit centered around innovative architecture and city structure planning as a means of better human/environment interaction. One of the fundamental pieces of the exhibit which I found to be thoroughly intriguing was the concept of 'Urban Dystopia'. In contrast to the ideals of an idealized utopian society, the idea of dystopia displays the potential negative effects of urbanization on the natural world and the quality of life for all living organisms. The project entitled 'Sustainable Dystopia', on display in the Louisiana, is a research project that undertakes ideas inherent to the comtemporary debate on the relationship between city and nature, and explores the various ideas for reconciling the two. The project is divided into three main themes: planting on vertical and horizontal surfaces of the city; innovative thinking about the interaction between animals and humans through a radical reconstructing of the distribution of urban space; division into animal zones and human zones; and a technological vision that focuses on sustainable use of energy of a city by way of solar and wind energy.

The first scenerio displayed by the project shows the encouraged growth of plant matter on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

The second scenerio displayed by the project shows the effects of renaturalization and reforestation-not only in peripheral areas but within designated urbanized spaces.The third scenerio displayed by the project shows the effects of technological artificializing of living areas and the potentially totalitarian transformation.

Viewed through the lens of climate conscious students, this exhibition encouraged further thought on the relationship between innovative thought and human survival. Humans must learn to embrace their adaptive instincts at whatever the cost or else suffer and perish for lack of harmony with the natural world. I hope to further my climate change studies during this final and thrilling week of the COP15 with enthusiasm rooted in innovative thoughts towards the future of mankind's relationship with the natural world.

International Human Rights Day

2009-12-10T23:16:00.000-06:00

Today, the fourth day of the Conference, was International Human Rights Day, and a critical time in the Conference to consider the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

1. We started out our day today in downtown Copenhagen near Tivoli Gardens, where we explored Hopenhagen Central and Klimaforum. It was awesome to see instead of parking lots, hundreds of "biking lots." Unfortunately, the only attraction at Hopenhagen was the huge globe and cute kids, since the booths did not open until noon. But Klimaforum was pretty neat.
Klimaforum is "the global civil society counterpart of the official UN conference in the Bella Center.” I had passionate discussions with people about nuclear energy, spirituality and the environment, the impact of a 7-meter rise of sea level, and climate justice.

2. After exploring Copenhagen for several hours, we returned for the Young and Future Leaders Day at the Conference, where we were greeted by a mob of youth holding an action (see Tara’s entry).

3. Following some blogging and practice Skyping (for Skype to SES and YEA! MN Winter Gathering tonight), I attended a side event about recognizing and protecting human rights within the Copenhagen agreement. The following is what I learned:

a. It is important to discuss climate change in regards to human rights. Human rights are the heart of climate change, as compared to the science, economics, and politics of climate change, which are the head.

b. Climate change is a human rights issue because it threatens:

i. The right to life, physical integrity, and security
ii. The right to means of subsidence
iii. The right to water
iv. The right to property and use of traditional lands
v. The right to health
vi. The right to freedom from discrimination
vii. The right of women
viii. The right of culture
ix. The right to participate

c. Human rights make moral imperatives into legal obligations:

i. Increased emphasis on adaptation
ii. Stronger mitigation goals
iii. Reinforces validity of principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and “polluter pays” principle
iv. Holds individuals responsible through calculations of per-capita emissions

d. An international climate change agreement must include:

i. All parties recognitions of human impact on environment
ii. Obligations to uphold human rights
iii. Citizens’ guaranteed participation in climate decisions
iv. Help to those who are especially vulnerable
v. Help to those who are already suffering from climate change

e. The question is what international legal regime do we place on the crime of climate change? How is a victim compensated for a human rights violation as severe as climate change? As I began to inquire about these complications, I started to wonder whether climate change was just another excuse for humans to blame each other about something.

Nonetheless, human rights must not be ignored or dismissed in the COP-15 negotiations, because they truly are heart of cliamte change. According to the human impact report on the human cost of cliamte change published by the Global Humanitarian Forum:

Estimates of Suffering due to Climate Change Today:

Deaths - over 300,000 per year
Severely Affected - over 300 million people
Living at Extreme Risk - 500 million people
Climate Displaced People - over 20 million
Economic Losses - over US 100 billion dollar

Estimates of Suffering Tomorrow (in 20 years time)

Deaths - approximately 500,000 per year
Severely Affected: approximately 650 million people
Climate Displaced People – more than 75 million
Economic Losses – over US 300 billion dollars

Young and Future Leaders Day

2009-12-10T17:06:00.012-06:00

Today the global youth powered up for Young and Future Leaders Day! Yay! It is to celebrate that YOUNGO finally became a constituency. Because of this constituency status YOUNGO was able to get funding and give out shirts to any/all YOUNGO members. They are awesome bright orange shirts that youth wore today so that we could be recognized. On the front they say, "How old will you be in 2050?" (which is a common youth slogan for climate change) and the back says (in brackets), "Don't bracket our future." It was really amazing to see so many people wearing these orange shirts today. They really stood out against everyone's black business clothes. I never realized how many youth there really were until today because most of us had been dressing up everyday. Katie, Deon, Jessica, Mr. Johnson (tall) and I are in this picture above. See if you can spot us!

A ton of other youth actions have been happening today even starting with last night.

Last night: There was a meeting held here in Copenhagen with American's for Prosperity that was a meeting that was set up by American climate skeptics. US youth delegates went and crashed the event by going to the meeting in stealth mode and then loudly displaying their message. Here's an amazing video of what happened.

Outside of the Bella Center this morning: US youth again did an action where they stood outside in as little clothes as possible, some people were in their boxers and underwear and they were wearing orange youth scarfs. And just so you know it's about 40 degress here, which is pretty cold when you are standing outside in almost nothing. Everyone involved chanted things like "Don't leave us out in the cold," to show how youth are important towards this COP and how they deserve to be able to make decisions.

Around 2 o'clock today: Between two halls in the conference center about 75 youth got together in their orange shirts and did a raindance which Jessica and I participated in. A raindance is just where you make noises to sound like rain such as snapping, rubbing your hands together, chest beating, and feet stomping. This may sound a little disorganized but there was one person conducting the group and it actually sounded really cool and much like rain. A banner was held up that said "We will not die quietly." After the dance two youth spoke about climate change in their home countries which were the Maldives and Fiji. "...this isn't just about science, it's about people," said the woman from Fiji. This is a super long video with the dance and the speakers, worth taking a look at.

"No Rights, No REDD!"

2009-12-10T16:52:00.000-06:00

For those of you who don’t know, REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Basically it is a strategy to reduce emissions and increase sequestration of GHGs by preserving and improving forests. Most of this is focused on the tropical forests of South America, Africa and Indonesia, which are some of the most extensive, and some of the most threatened forests. Those areas also happen to be largely developing nations that are home to a large portion of the world’s poor, and a large population of indigenous people who live in the forest and rely on its resources. For many decades now these people have been abused by officials and companies seeking to exploit the land they call home. Now they are worried that these practices will continue if proper safeguards put into place in the text of REDD protocol. So far the REDD paper contains one line encouraging nations to include indigenous peoples in discussions, but this is not nearly enough, and it does not actually require anything of governments. Indigenous people have an opportunity to profit from REDD as developed countries will fund projects and buy carbon credits, but measures need to be taken to ensure that the indigenous people who have the rights to the land are the ones to see the profits.

So today they staged a demonstration.

I was on my way to “Making REDD Work”, a session on building preparedness for international REDD mechanisms, when I heard a chant off in the distance. At first I couldn’t tell what they were saying. Then a line of people holding hands rushed past me, they were shouting “No Rights, No REDD!”. The chain of people holding hands just kept going and going as they ran all over the conference center. Reporters with cameras were running along side them, trying to keep up, and before I knew it I was a part of the chain, running right along with them and chanting. There were people from developing nations all over, many of them in traditional dress, all of them excited for change.
As if to underscore the importance of this issue when I finally got to “Making REDD Work” the room was packed. I had to sit on the floor and within a few minutes it was so crowded I couldn’t get to the door to leave even if I had wanted to. Speakers from Indonesia, Brazil, Panama and the Norwegian Rainforest Federation expounded on the need for active participation from civil society and transparency in the government. Over 50% of Panama’s GHG emissions come from deforestation, and over 34% of their forests are within the lands of indigenous people. In the final texts for REDD they want to see concrete requirements and plans for involving indigenous people, governmental reforms to improve transparency and safeguard human rights, and courts set up to resolve conflict between indigenous peoples and outsiders attempting to change the forest. And they want it to be recognized that as a people who have inhabited these forests for thousands of years they have a lot of good knowledge about how to maintain them

2009-12-10T08:46:00.007-06:00

UNICF (United Nations Children's fund) brought 8 kids from all over the world, ages 15-18, to the COP15 conference in order for the greater community of the world to hear their voices, to see firsthand how climate change effects them and their countries. The children came from places such as Kenya, Haiti, and Bangladesh. We were able to hear, in a side event, how lives of many people are changing because of global warming "You could be on a beach one day and the next day that same beach would be gone" said Axam Maumoon, 15, of the Maldives (pictured on right).

In Haiti, tree planting has become more and more popular, with environmental education a push in the future. Kenya, after experiencing a 5 year drought, has started looking more at how they can reduce climate change. Zambia has been working more on getting girls educated and in school so they can know more about their impact on climate change. Countries large and small, both developed and under developed, are doing everything they can to stop and reverse climate change.

A few members of our delegation were able to see Axam, and another girl (from Haiti) speak in the "Youth Arcade" (a collections of booths run by, and targeted to youth). After Axon's presentation I was able to talk to him one-on-one. He told me of the Maldives' plans to start recycling programs in schools. I gave him my contact information, and invited him to connect with our school.

A sound bite of Axam's speech will be posted once processed.

The Expert Group on Technology Transfer

2009-12-09T16:32:00.009-06:00

The Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) is a global organization that is responsible for the sharing of new technologies developed by already industrialized nations with countries that are now in the process of expanding their economy and industrializing their nation. The goal of the EGTT is to provide these growing countries with the most efficient and environmentally friendly tools that will allow them to create the most environmentally safe products and facilities possible. Each year the EGTT files a report on its work and advancements of the previous year and make recommendations for the coming year to the Subsidiary Body for the Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), a working body of the UNFCCC. The EGTT helps to create an earth friendly focus in developing nations. While I was attending the UNFCCC Childrens Climate Forum session at the conference, I heard firsthand from young students living in developing nations all over the world about what their countries were doing to combat climate change. I spoke one on one with a young man named Kondwani who told me about some of the green projects in his home country of Namibia, where there has been extensive deforestation. Kondwani told me that many students in his high school once a year help to replenish Namibia's forests by participating in a tree planting season led by a local children's hospitial. Kondwani also told me that every school in Namibia is required by the government to recycle, and every day in the month of September each student is asked to come to school with something to recycle from home. These are just a few examples of the many things that people all over the world are doing to combat climate change.

Kiribati- A Call to the World

2009-12-09T07:39:00.006-06:00

Kiribati is a small island near the east coast of Australia that is an example of a country, a land, and a people who are negatively being affected by climate change today. There are many vulnerabilities of the island when it comes to climate change such as water resource security, coasts, food security, health, and biodiversity of organisms. A recent survey of the populace revealed that the majority of the population was scared and/or sad about their future due to climate change. During a conference presentation, after solemn words of fear, citizens of the island of Kiribati shared a tradition they may not have much more time to share, that of dance. Climate change affects us all and the island of Kiribati is an example to all of the urgency that is needed to reach an agreement here at COP15 and reduce CO2 emissions. Without these policies and action, Kiribati will sink into the ocean with the dance of its people never seen nor performed again.

IPCC

2009-12-09T03:37:00.017-06:00

The highlíght of today was being able to attend an IPCC (International Panal on Climate Change) forum. Conversation revolved mainly around the recent scandal involving the environmental scientist community, the core statements being upheld by the IPCC in the AR4, and the upcoming AR5 (the fifth assessment report of the IPCC). Key speakers on the panal included: Rajendra Pachauri (chairman of the IPCC) and the representatives of each IPCC working group.

Pachauri initiated the dialogue by recounting the events of the recent scientific scandal. Although there is no formal investigation, the IPCC hopes to the look further into the matter for purposes of learning from the mistakes of "bad science". He reaffirmed that the IPCC receives data from a wide array of sources and that all published material is confirmed by participating governments. He briefly reviewed the content of AR4 but spent the majority of the time overviewing the content of AR5. The fundamental statements upheld by the IPCC in the AR4 include:

-Warming in the climate system is unequivocal

-Most of the observed increase in global warming is very likely due to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere.

-Continued GHG emissions would induce many changes that would likely be larger than the current observed changes.

-There have been unprecedented changes in the climate.

The AR5 is expected to be published in a matter of two months. Some of the new additions in AR5 not found in AR4 include: ocean acidification, a common framework and currencies for impact, ocean impacts, and more thorough treatment of the costs of climate change. The AR5 basically shifts the focus from "climate change is real" to "here is the information that policy makers need to make good decisions for stakeholders".

Youth Action "Bed-In"

2009-12-09T03:27:00.009-06:00

The youth action of the day yesterday was a “bed in” organized by YOUNGO (youth non-governmental organizations). Katie and Tara both participated, while Jessica videotaped and I (Deon) took still pictures. The “bed-in” was held outside plenary 1 at about 1pm. Many of the youth were dressed in pajamas and holding pillows, toothbrushes, and signs that had messages such as, “we can work it out”, “give youth a chance,” and “come together.” In honor of John Lennon, on the 29^th anniversary of his assassination, they sang his song “Give Peace a Chance” with new lyrics, which are as follows:

Rap:

Everybody’s talking about droughts and bushfires

Ice and sea levels

Devastation Devastation Devastation

Singing:

(x 3)

All we are saying is give youth a chance

All we are saying is cut greenhouse gas

REPEAT ALL

In all, about 30 youth participated, and at least twice as many people and press watched and documented the event. One network even asked some of the youth to perform it again later, in front of a spotlight and tripod. We hope that all these spectators also listened to the message that everyone was trying to convey: youth want an opportunity to work at saving their world too.

Adaptation Atlas: adapting to the effects of climate change with GIS

2009-12-08T14:53:00.008-06:00

Seniors back at SES might be interested in seeing just how much the global community is using GIS-Geographic Information Systems (a complex mapping tool)-to make decisions regarding large scale issues like climate change. Who would have thought the things we learn in school really are useful in the real world?!

Today I attended a forum where experts from the US and Norway explained that even if all the promises made so far are kept (which is extremely unlikely, particularly considering the situation in the US) we are projected to be at 550 ppm CO2 by 2100. They also explained that even if we were to cut emissions to zero this instant global temperature and sea level would continue to rise. They all had the same thing to say: no matter how well negotiation go towards mitigation strategies, adaptation strategies to deal with climate change will be crucial.

So where did I go next?

I went to a presentation by Ms. Nisha Krishnan on the brand new Global Adaptation Atlas, a site designed by Resources for the Future to help organizations and individuals establish priorities for adaptation action. Well, at least I thought it was fitting to go from a session emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies to one advising on how to implement them. Adaptation is not only going to be very important for people trying to cope with the effects of climate change, it’s going to be very expensive. If we are going to be contributing money to this cause we want to be sure it’s well spent. Mitigation strategies are effective globally, they can be established anywhere, but adaptation strategies have to be specialized for the region, and can sometimes work at cross purposes. The group has worked to amass as much data as possible on existing adaptation programs and possible threats that require adaptation strategies. They them partnered with ESRI to projected the data on maps that can be customized and searched by anyone. So far they have ~400 layers. The theme of the day seemed to be the need for better measurement techniques, and you will see that much of the information is not very precise as to location, but the way the website is set up people will be able to submit and verify data as new techniques become available.

I recommend checking out the site:

http://www.adaptationatlas.org/

It’s very user friendly. If you can navigate Google Earth you will be able to get started. One of their goals is to make it accessible to people in developing nations that may not have extensive technological expertise. You can turn on and off layers for different factors like people vulnerable to 1 m rise in sea level, land lost to coastal erosion, and even migration due to land loss. Then you can compare those results with those for different scenarios and time frames. I thought it was fun to compare the different projection scenarios, you can see just how much seperates the best case senarios from the worst. All it takes is a few minuites.

Bellona Foundation session/ COP 15 objectives

2009-12-08T03:50:00.005-06:00

In the final hours of the first day here at COP15, I attended a meeting hosted by the Bellona Foundation. The basic question they addressed was, "What is COP 15 all about and goals they hope to achieve?". The panelists involved included Tom Brooks with the U.S. Energy Department and Jesse Tolkan, the head of the Energy Action Council in the United states (I apologize for the lack of specific titles I was in the back row and was unable to document it all well). The baseline objectives mapped out are: defining a global target, commitment from all countries on these targets, thorough financing (both for the immediate and long term) and a developed system to keep parties in check, more commonly known as MRV. Finally a low carbon growth plan must be created for developing countries (sort of like a "to do list") so that funding can begin.

The importance of business participation was strongly emphasized. The business world's transition into a low carbon economy was labeled as "possibly the largest transition we will experience in our life time". Capital flow and direction must be managed in the COP15 process. The problem with this transition in the past has simply been poor investment decisions and these will continue on in the future if it is not addressed now. Overall a price on carbon must be set, possibly during these two weeks.

Youth's involvement here in Copenhagen was also addressed by Jesse Tolka. With their flagship phrase "Survival is Not Negotiable", youth participation has never been stronger. In the United States, youth have taken their role in politics seriously and are doing something about it. They have been bold in communicating with their political leaders and the results are obvious. In a recent campaign founded by the organization (PowerShift '09), known as "Its Game Time Obama", youth throughout the U.S. are pleading with President Obama to work with youth environmental leaders to develop solutions to climate change. Just before Thanksgiving, in response to the recent increase in youth activism, President Obama conducted a meeting where the United States' top cabinet members discussed possible solutions with youth climate leaders. With defined, solid objectives, a plan for addressing climate change, both in the long and short term future of the world, will be created. If anything a substantial foundation will hopefully be laid for next year's Conference Of the Parties (COP).

Train Interview with Taxi Driver

2009-12-08T03:21:00.006-06:00

On December sixth during the train ride back from COP 15 I sat down next to a man on his way home from work. He told me he was a taxi driver in Copenhagen who lived in Malmo, and also that he came from Pakistan. I asked him if he thought there would be any real progress made over COP 15, if climate change affects his job in any way, and also why he was working in Copenhagen. To the first question he stated that "politics will not change people, but people will change politics. It is the people who will change the way they live and what they do to succumb to the climate change; sadly he said that politics will not change with the climate change issue. Even if COP 15 were to come to an agreement it would still rely on the individual people to partake in changing the way they live for the better. To the second question he said that his actual job as a taxi driver would not ever change, however the car that he drove he wishes would change to an electric car, preferably paid for by the government. His answer to the third question was interesting in that he told me why he moved from Pakistan. He said that because Pakistan had oil, the oil company was ruining the way they lived; the poor were getting poorer, while the rich were getting richer. Along with this he preferred working in Copenhagen because the danish currency was higher than Sweden so it helped him in the long run.

Sustaining Forests and Sustaining Livelihoods

2009-12-07T17:32:00.006-06:00

An Interview with Ministers of the Environment, from the Democratic Republic of Congo

You never know who you are going to run into on the train. This morning (12/7/09), on the train ride over to Copenhagen for the first day of the U.N. Convention on Climate Change COP-15, Alex Sheker just happened to be seated beside three ministers of the environment from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We then proceeded to discuss with the ministers what they were fighting for in these negotiations, including funding, technology, building capacity, and reducing poverty.

The ministers of the environment from the Congo stated that their main objective was to not sacrifice the Congo’s development, while still maintaining sustainable agriculture. The ministers said, “To adapt we need technology, and that is our fight. And we fight poverty as well.” They emphasized the complexity of deforestation and recognized that “the forest is not the only issue. Water, animals, people [are all at stake].” They said they were responsible for “the interest of the forest, and the interest of the whole world.” Well-managed, sustainable, and protected areas are what are needed. Currently, the Congo has seven protected areas, larger than in any other country.

The Congolese ministers of the environment were primarily looking for funding, “to bring schools for our children. To reduce poverty, you have to learn how to teach the population, like how to do agriculture in a sustainable world—new seeds, new materials. By doing this, you reduce poverty and human pressure on the forests.” Tropical deforestation is responsible for approximately 20% of world greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by Nicholas Stern on the economics of climate change, in October 2006.

When asked about the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), the ministers said, “CDMs are not working…REDD is better for us. Our fight is that the REDD mechanism must be part of the final agreement. Natural forest must be taken into account to reduce global emissions….Forest is part of the problem, but we must make it part of the solution, as well.”

One of the most difficult challenges to implement sustainable practices in the Congo is money. “Money is like conversation. You just talk, but you can’t do anything without money,” one of the ministers said. There must be opportunity to replace the financial activities that sustained people’s livelihoods in the rainforests before.

Youth Flash Dance

2009-12-07T12:31:00.008-06:00

So as you all should know, today was the first official day at COP15 and one thing that a few SES delegates participated in was a youth flash dance!

For those of you who are unaware of what a flash dance is...
A flash dance is simply a dance that happens when people are least expecting it with the dancers staged as confused audience members that then join in with the dance once it has started.

The youth flash dance happened like this...
A little after getting into the conference this morning we happened to meet up with the delegates from the Will Steger Foundation and one of their delegates, Reed, told us about a flash dance that was going to happen at one o'clock. I for one was really excited when I heard this because in the Climate Change Policy intensive theme this fall I was able to watch both Australia and the UK (through YouTube) participate in youth flash dances to raise awareness and gain attention to the youth movement. The plan was that one YOUNGO (youth non-governmental) delegate was going to stand up, throw off his jacket and break out into song and dance about how the climate is warming. So what happened was at one o'clock YOUNGO members (includes ANY youth delegate) and members of the international YMCA met outside of a meeting room, in a very open area where people were hanging out, eating lunch, drinking coffee, on the web, or just taking a break between meetings...so it was a very busy area. Among these people included many media members filming the dance and people taking pictures of everything.

Deon, Jessica, and I (Tara) went up to this crowd of youth and we waited for the leader to start the dance (as Katie filmed it all of course). The dance went like this...the youth leader started singing "Ohhh it's hot in here! There must be some carbon in the atmosphere!" And there was a dance skit involved that Deon, Jessica, and I tried to learn and reproduce as quickly as we could. After that we chanted back lines that he shouted first.

We did the whole thing twice and then we wanted to move into the meeting room we were next to, where negotiators were, so we could make a stand and show them how the youth delegates would not be quiet at COP15, but the security guarding the room did not let us in.

All in all it was a really cool experience to be a part of a flash dance at COP15 with youth from all over the world.

More Preparation Material

2009-11-29T19:51:00.010-06:00

SustainUS Copenhagen Youth Preparation Guide

Extremely thorough. Included in this guide is a nicely crafted list of potential interview questions written by SustainUS (a nonprofit youth organization whose mission is to advance sustainable development and empower youth in the United States).

Q: What is your official title?
A: Delegate to the Fifteenth UN climate change conference (*wonk alert* UNFCCC COP15 = United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 15th Conference of the Parties)

Q: What exactly will you be doing in Copenhagen?
A: I will be working with government delegates, fellow civil society members, and youth from around the world to promote youth-friendly and future-focused policies related to sustainable development and climate change. I will be presenting policy proposals, meeting with my government’s representatives, and working with the growing international youth movement to ensure a strong outcome at this conference.

Q: How did your organization get 'delegation status' for this UN conference?
A: It applied and was accepted for Observer status with the UN climate negotiations; The Climate Convention specifically calls for UN cooperation with non-governmental bodies (my organization) to achieve the objectives of the convention, so there is a special process of accreditation to the convention that it went through with the conference Secretariat.

Q: Do you think that youth will actually make an impact at this conference?
A: YES! You can talk about youth participation in elections in your country, grassroots campaigns, changing the tone of the conversation, bearing witness, etc. You can also mention that our success in large part depends on the solidarity of other people in your country. Talk about booing the U.S.A.’s Bush Administration 2 years ago in Bali and getting them to back down from blocking the negotiations, last year we launched Project Survival to highlight the role of countries who will disappear from our pollution and that's making its way into the text, 350.org campaign has changed what is the political baseline.

Q: Why is it important that youth are represented at the conference?
A: We will experience the worst of climate change throughout our lives if we don't act today. We want clean and safe energy solutions. We deserve to live in a world that is healthy and safe.

UNFCCC YOUNGO Wiki Portal

YOUNGO Copenhagen Logistic Handbook

This is a very helpful overview of basic topics, like food, money, weather, and transportation in Copenhagen.

Calendar during COP 15

Schedule of youth events, side events, other events in Copenhagen, etc.

All youth delegates are also invited to register to be on the delegation contact list.

And last but not least, check us out in the news: This Week Newspapers/Dakota Co. Tribune - Local students to attend international summit

5 days!

--Katie Paulson-Smith

President Obama makes the right decision

2009-11-26T14:03:00.013-06:00

Official: Obama going to Copenhagen climate summit
Julie Pace ASSOCIATED PRESS November 25, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will go to Copenhagen next month, a White House official said Wednesday, to participate in a long-anticipated, high-stakes global climate summit.

The president will attend the summit on Dec. 9 before heading to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, the official said. Obama's attendance had been in question until now.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement has not been made.

The conference had originally been intended to produce a new global climate change treaty on limiting emissions of greenhouse gases that would replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. However, hopes for a legally binding agreement have dimmed lately, with leaders saying the summit is more likely to produce a template for future action to cut emissions blamed for global warming.

At least 65 world leaders will attend the summit, but unlike Obama, most are expected to attend the final days of the Dec. 7-18 conference.

Yvo de Boer, U.N. climate treaty chief, told reporters in Bonn Wednesday, "I think it's critical that President Obama attend the climate change summit in Copenhagen. The world is very much looking to the United States to come forward with an emission reduction target and contribute to financial support to help developing countries."

While Obama himself tried to tamp down expectations during his eight-day trip to Asia earlier this month, he also called on world leaders to come to an agreement that has "immediate operational effect" and is not just a political declaration.

Administration officials said earlier this week that the U.S. will present a target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions at the summit. The development came as the European Union urged the United States and China to deliver greenhouse gas emissions targets at the summit, saying their delays were hindering global efforts to curb climate change.

The administration has indicated for nearly a year that it would eventually come up with specific targets for quick reductions in pollution that causes global warming, as part of international negotiations. Those targets will soon be made public, officials said.

This will be Obama's second trip to Denmark this year. He made short trip to Copenhagen on Oct. 2 to make a vain pitch for 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago during a meeting of the International Olympic Committee.

______________________________________________

OBAMA ANNOUNCEMENT ADDS TO COPENHAGEN MOMENTUM

Washington, DC – International development organization Oxfam America
praised today’s announcement that President Obama will attend the United
Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen next month. Oxfam
America’s president, Raymond C. Offenheiser made the following statement in
reaction:

“For months, President Obama stated his personal commitment to tackling
climate change at the global level. Today, he signaled that he’s ready to
roll up his sleeves to make a climate change deal happen.

“All eyes have been on the US to see whether it will shift decisively to
become a global leader in the fight against climate change. But concrete
offers from the US have been missing, and Congressional legislation has been
slow to get to the finish line.

“Today’s announcement flies in the face of predictions of failure in
Copenhagen well before the conference even begins. Oxfam and other groups
have urged President Obama to join negotiators and more than 60 heads of
state in Copenhagen. President Obama’s personal appearance and commitment to
action can bring the necessary momentum to deliver a deal.

"Hard-hit communities on the front lines of climate change need President
Obama on the front lines of the negotiations. The President should head to
Copenhagen with ambitious goals to cut emissions here at home, along with a
robust finance package to help poor communities cope with the serious
impacts of climate change. The US proposal for a new global climate fund
marks a potentially helpful step, and President Obama should move quickly to
back it up with a commitment of substantial long-term funding."

Oxfam America is dedicated to finding long-term solutions to poverty, hunger
and social injustice around the world. For more information, please visit
www.oxfamamerica.org.

--
Jason Wojciechowski
Digital Strategist (GCAP)
Oxfam GB

Climate Justice Fast

2009-11-22T16:54:00.008-06:00

The following was posted today by Anna Keenan on the Youth UNFCCC Google Group on her 16th day of fasting. I found it to be very inspiring:

The Climate Justice Fast is an international hunger strike which began on
the 6th of November - the last day of the Barcelona climate talks - to call
for strong, just action on the climate crisis. Participants in the Climate
Justice Fast are eating no food and will drink only water until, throughout
and potentially beyond the end of the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen.

There are long-term fasters in Europe, Australia and the US, with supporters
all over the world - including India, Nepal, Bhutan, the Phillipines and
more.  While the concept of the fast may shock some, we have found that it
inspires others and has the potential to wake people up to the urgency of
the situtation.

We feel that it is a very necessary action at this urgent time. We undertake
the Fast out of a deep love for life, and out of belief that all people
deserve the same chance for a safe life and a safe climate - this is
currently being jeopardised by climate change, and we see this as a great
injustice.

  Hunger striking is a form of protest unparalleled in its ability to
capture attention and catalyse social movements. It has been successfully
used throughout history to create awareness and motivation for action, as
the most powerful statement against injustice that an individual can make.
We are doing everything that we can within our personal power, to make
change.

  Mahatma Gandhi wrote that "under certain circumstances, fasting is the one
weapon God has given us for use in times of utter helplessness.” Many would
argue that the political inaction on climate change has now brought us to
such a time that a fast of this magnitude is warranted.

Join Climate Justice Fast Facebook Group

Follow Climate Justice Fast on Twitter

YEA! MN Winter Gathering

2009-11-21T17:10:00.002-06:00

Please join us!

Youth Environmental Activists of MN (YEA! MN) Winter Gathering

December 10, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Southwest High School, Cafeteria

Educators and students are invited to join YEA! MN for an evening of climate change education, peer inspiration, and opportunities for action. Our 2nd quarterly meeting of the year will focus on the following theme:

'Copenhagen: Understanding the international climate negotiations happening Dec 4-19th, and the role youth can play to make a difference here at home'

Participants will learn about youth delegations to the negotiations from the School of Environmental Studies as well as the Will Steger Foundation, and have the opportunity to hear directly from delegation members via a live internet connection (pending tech capabilities).

Participants will also have an opportunity to network with student environmental leaders from high schools across the Twin Cities metro, share strategies and successes, and generate ideas on possible collaboration.

RSVP: Sean Gosiewski, Alliance for Sustainability: sean@afors.org, 612-331-1099

PLEASE FORWARD

----

Abby Fenton

Education Program Manager

Will Steger Foundation

www.willstegerfoundation.org

Videos for Classrooms

2009-11-21T15:55:00.006-06:00

There are many great videos on climate change and human impacts on the environment. Here are links to just a few of them:

Geared towards younger students (up to 6th grade):

This video highlights the impact of climate change on wildlife and wetlands.
http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/video

For educators with a subscription to the site, BrainPOP has several videos on "Our Fragile Environment".
http://www.brainpop.com/science/ourfragileenvironment/

An animated video of how climate change occurs.

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/global_warming_version2.html

Geared towards older students (grades 7 and up):

This video shows how to see the temperature effects of climate change in Google Earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafRWhrpyCA

Extreme Ice: A 6-part (one hour total) Nova documentary on the rapid melting of glaciers

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/extremeice/program.html

Is global warming making hurricanes more intense?: A NOVA scienceNOW video

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3302/07.html

The GOOD Guide to COP15

2009-11-18T20:58:00.005-06:00

I found an excellent source of basic information about the COP15 conference in Copenhagen. This is a "guide" currently with eight installments. If you plan on reading all of the installments I suggest starting from the bottom ("An Introduction") and working your way up. Most of these articles are merely facts and descriptions of the event, however one section titled "The Fire This Time: Copenhagen and the War for the Future" contains several quotations like the following:

To be young and aware is to know you’re being lied to; to know that a bright green future is possible; to know that we can reimagine the world, rebuild our cities, redesign our lives, retool our factories, distribute innovation and creativity and all live in a world that is not only better than the alternative, but much better than the world we have now.
- Alex Steffen (Source)

And last, but not least, the link:
The GOOD Guide to COP15

COP15 Video

2009-11-16T12:23:00.003-06:00

People all over the world are anticipating COP15

Jellyfish and climate change

2009-11-16T10:31:00.003-06:00

Article on jellyfish ranges increasing on the coast of japan due to rising ocean temperatures.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/climate_09_jellyfish_menace

50 things to know with (less than!) 50 days to go

2009-11-13T13:16:00.009-06:00

COP-15: 50 things to know with 50 days to go

The UN Climate Change Conference 2009 (COP15) is only 50 days away (well, 23 days away now!) Prepare with 50 of the most important facts.

COP-15: Countdown to Copenhagen with the World Resources Institute experts

Activities and power points on climate change (k-12)

2009-11-13T10:22:00.010-06:00

Welcome Educators and Schools! Here is a collective list of links to power points and interactive activities that help kids learn about climate change.

epa.gov has a list of many interactive, kid friendly games and quizzes concentrating on the environment.
http://www.epa.gov/kids/game.htm

Teachers guide on climate change that includes lesson plans and the top ten things you should know about global warming.
http://hdgc.epp.cmu.edu/teachersguide/teachersguide.htm

A great website all about teaching climate change at a k-12 level
http://www.climatechangeeducation.org/k-12/writing.html

A list of easy ways people and students can reduce their impact on climate change
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_actionitems.asp

Here is a video slide show of an example power point on global warming (it goes fast so you might have to press pause to read all of the information on the slides)

The Jackpot of Links Galore

2009-11-12T21:54:00.009-06:00

I just hit the jackpot! You will never believe this assortment of AWESOME climate change material (and on the final night of this wonderful intensive theme, too...)

CHECK THIS OUT: http://web.wm.edu/cwa/B33Elkins.pdf?svr=www
(Posted with permission from Dr. Terry Elkins)

In this incredible collection of links, several caught my attention:

MIT Report: “Climate Change Odds Much Worse than Thought”
THIS reading would have been PERFECT for required reading (even though it is 30 pages, the more the merrier...except when it comes to GHGs): Copenhagen Climate Synthesis Report (March, 2009) = the latest definitive status report of the world climate science community – the Copenhagen Climate Congress
Blog with HUGE conglomeration of climate change articles-- what our blog should aspire to be
This is just fascinating: Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change
And the grand finale presentation-- extremely thorough and extensive evidence (52 pages of pure glory...)

Ok, so I got a little carried away, but this is really exciting...for me.

Thanks everyone!
--Katie Paulson-Smith

Kilmaforum09 - Debate Graph

2009-11-12T13:32:00.001-06:00

About the School of Environmental Studies

2009-10-24T16:42:00.001-05:00

The School of Environmental Studies

Compiled and written by student, Katie Paulson-Smith

The School of Environmental Studies (SES) is high school that was founded to create environmentally-literate citizens active in the global community. Its vision is to be a community of leaders learning to enhance the relationships between people and their environments. SES has been publicly recognized for its originality and accomplishments by numerous agencies and organizations since it opened in 1995.

• Curriculum: SES is known for its innovative, interdisciplinary, and experiential curriculum. At SES, we learn the complexities of all that the environmental studies encompasses, including culture, science, politics, economics, technology, and ethics. Every day we have a Thematic Studies class that combines English, science, and social studies, which are connected by overarching themes, such as biodiversity, the environmental impacts of human actions, and sustainability. As students work to gain understanding of the themes, we complete hands-on projects and assignments that lead to relevant, real-world assessment of our progress.

o For instance, my junior year, we did an extensive project called Pond Profile, in which each group analyzed the chemical, biological, and historical aspects of a specific pond by interviewing residents in the area and utilizing technology, such as dissolved oxygen meters, Secchi disks, and seine nets.
o This fall in my senior year, we conducted a buckthorn population-modeling field study for the MN Department of National Resources at Fort Snelling State Park.
o In the spring of senior year, we have a mass transit unit, in which students gain experience using the light rail and buses to learn how to commute with a smaller carbon footprint.

However, students don’t only learn about the environment; students are challenged to figure out how to manage the environment for what they value.

• Past projects: The School of Environmental Studies earned accreditation to send a student-delegation to the U.N. Convention on Climate Change COP-15 in Copenhagen, December 2009 because of the following evidence of its competence for observer status.
Compiled and written by teacher, Craig Johnson

The School of Environmental Studies (SES) is an upper level secondary school. The student body is comprised of 400 17 and 18 years old students (note: the students that take part in the SES observer delegation to the UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen will all be 18 years of age). The school is founded on an Environmental Studies curricular focus and a philosophical commitment to experiential learning and active citizenship. For the past decade, climate change education and climate change solution advocacy have been hallmarks of the SES curriculum. Climate change represents, from an education perspective, an ideal environmental issue on which to focus because it is by its very nature integrated and systems based. It has been, and continues to be, a major area of study, research, and action at SES, primarily because its study must consider the synergies of culture, environment, science, politics, economics, technology and ethics, and its solutions must be grounded in these synergies as well. It is the belief of the SES community that it is in the examination of and involvement in these complex issues that students gain the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and commitment to become environmentally literate, global citizens and leaders. The UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen represent the ultimate opportunity for members of an SES delegation to manifest this examination and involvement by participating as observers at the upcoming Convention. It is for this important reason that we seek organization observer status for SES.

Organization (SES) competence in climate change related study, research, and action has evolved significantly over the past 10 years. Modest beginnings involving the study of carbon cycling, climate science, natural and anthropogenic causes, and potential solutions, have become the foundation for the wide range of major climate change related projects and initiatives described below.

1. Wind Turbine and Solar Panel installation and education

In 2006 a small group of SES students began to explore the possibility making the campus and its lands a demonstration site for sustainable renewable energy. The project that evolved, a partnership between SES, Dakota Electric Association, the City of Apple Valley, and the Minnesota Zoo, resulted in the construction of a 20 kW 160 foot high wind turbine and two 1kW solar panel arrays. The installation includes extensive educational displays and signage accessible to the public and a data collection and archive system that allows for real time monitoring of energy outputs as well as on-going student research projects. Students from three graduating classes worked on the SES renewable energy project. The wind turbine and solar panels were completed and went on line in 2008.

http://www.ecowerc.com/projects/applevalley-groundbreak.html

http://www.district196.org/ses/energy/energy_summary2.cfm

2. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate Camp

As the first phase of a project partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, faculty from SES participated in a WWF Climate Camp in Homer, Alaska. The goal of the conference was to provide current information on the environmental and cultural impacts of climate change in the northern and arctic regions. Additionally, conference participants worked in teams to develop action strategies and plans designed to contribute to the mitigation of climate change impacts. SES representatives worked with WWF staff to develop the World Stories Project at SES and the WWF has continued to be a partner in this ongoing project.

http://www.climatecampak.org/

3. Baffin Island Student Cultural Exchange

In 2006 arctic explorer Will Steger began preparations for his Global Warming 101 dogsled expedition on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada. The expedition, a joint venture between Steger’s American team and team of Inuit guides and hunters, had the goal of putting a face on climate change by traveling to and visiting Inuit communities on Baffin Island that were being adversely affect by the behavior of people in other countries and cultures. Working with the assistance of and in partnership with the Steger Foundation, SES students, staff, and community members planned and carried out a concurrent student cultural exchange to Baffin Island. Timed to meet up with the Global Warming 101 expedition team, a group of SES students and staff traveled to Clyde River, Nunavut on the first portion of a student cultural exchange with the school there. The goal of the student cultural exchange was also to put a face on climate change, but to do so in a way that connected young people from two cultures around the climate change issue. SES students blogged daily about their experiences (links below). The blogs were read and used by a host of schools following the exchange on-line.

http://baffinexchange.blogspot.com/

http://arcticspeak.blogspot.com/

http://www.globalwarming101.com/

4. Carbon Diet Challenge

In a double-pronged effort to both support the Baffin Island student cultural exchange financially and affect change in personal behaviors related to climate, in 2006 SES designed and implemented a Carbon Diet Challenge program. Students began by establishing their carbon footprint baseline, reflecting their normal carbon emission levels, measured in pounds of CO2 per unit time. The students then got per pound pledges for how much carbon they would be able to lose on their “carbon diet” as a result of their behavioral changes. The money collected from this initiative was used to help fund the Baffin Island student exchange. The website for the SES Carbon Diet Challenge can be viewed by following the link below.

http://www.district196.org/ses/carbon.html

5. Clyde River Student Exchange

The second half of the Baffin Island exchange involved students from Quluaq School in Clyde River Nunavut, Canada traveling to SES and Minnesota. In the fall of 2007, four Inuit students and two adults from Clyde River spent two weeks at SES to complete the exchange. The exchange was a powerful learning experience for all. The Inuit students had few if any experiences in the south, and SES students and the extended community had a tremendous opportunity to learn first hand about a culture they knew very little about.

http://www.cr2ses.blogspot.com/

6. World Stories of Change Project

The Baffin Island student cultural exchange was the kick-off for the multi-year World Stories of Change Project. In partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and the Minnesota Zoo, the goal of the World Stories of Change initiative is to collect first hand, audio stories from indigenous people witnessing climate related change in the places they live. SES students participating in the Baffin Island exchange learned about the Inuit culture and received training in interview techniques and the use of digital recording equipment. While on Baffin Island students interviewed and collected stories of change and, upon returning to SES, edited recordings and supporting photos into audio slide shows in which elements of climate related change are described by the voices of the people living there. A sample of the audio slide shows from Baffin Island can be viewed following the link below. Since the Baffin Island Exchange, the World Stories of Change Project has expanded. SES has an extensive field studies program, with students traveling to various parts of the state, nation, and world. This academic year stories and images were recorded in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Alaska, Scotland, and on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The program will continue to be integrated into the field studies program, with plans in process to share the final story products with visitors at the Minnesota Zoo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksbuHaQaOq0

7. Polar Bear Population Modeling Project

For the past ten years Advanced Placement Environmental Science students at SES have worked with scientists with the Conservation Breeding Specialists Group (CBSG), a subgroup of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) housed at the Minnesota Zoo. A primary focus of CBSG’s work is population modeling and management strategies for critically endangered species. Increasingly climate change has become an important consideration in determining the viability of endangered populations. After receiving training and practice with computer based population viability analysis, SES students have worked with CBSG scientists on a variety of endangered species. Most recently, SES students developed a baseline population viability analysis for polar bears in the Western Hudson’s Bay region of Canada, and this coming academic year will work with senior CBSG scientists to integrate climate change variables into the population viability analysis program.

http://www.cbsg.org/cbsg/

8. Schools Cutting Carbon project – School Energy audit

SES has joined other Minnesota Schools in a three-year project to examine school and campus practices to find ways to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions. Students at SES helped conduct an energy audit of the school and are now working on a school wide energy reduction plan. The plan will be completed in the fall and implementation will begin during the 2009 – 2010 academic year.

http://www.schoolscuttingcarbon.org/
http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/schoolscuttingcarbon

9. Green Schools Alliance

The SES community has joined the Green School Alliance (GSA). The GSA is an alliance of K-12 schools, both public and private, who have committed to taking action on climate change, energy, and environmental issues. SES has accepted the GSA Green Schools Climate Commitment, pledging to reduce the school’s carbon footprint by at least 30% within five years and achieve school-wide carbon neutrality by 2020.

http://www.greenschoolsalliance.org/

10. Earth Day Energy Focus / Minnesota Energy Challenge

Since its inception fourteen years ago, SES has had intensive, student driven, school-wide Earth Week programming. In 2007 Climate Change was the primary theme of the events and activities, and the 2009 theme of Energy accommodated a great number of climate change related events once again. The Earth Week programming is often central to initiating and/or significantly supporting major projects, including several, such as the Baffin Island Student Cultural Exchange and the World Stories Project, mentioned here. This past spring the energy theme resulted in over 50% of the student body participating in the Minnesota Energy Challenge, a program that facilitates an individual family audit of energy use (and the corresponding carbon emissions) and a commitment on the part of individuals to reduce energy use and decrease carbon emissions in their own lives by altering their behavior in environmentally positive ways.

http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/challenge/ezform/

11. YEA Minnesota Involvement / Powershift

SES students joined students from schools around the region to create a collective youth voice on climate change and other environmental issues. YEA Minnesota (Youth Environmental Activists) was formed by students in partnership with the Will Steger Foundation and the Alliance for Sustainability to provide a structure in which students from many schools and communities could work together on issues of common concern such as climate change. Further, several SES students attended the national Powershift conference in Washington D.C., with the goal of having youth engage elected officials on climate change and energy issues.

12. SES/Justus Tranchellgymnasiet School exchange

Each senior at SES completes a capstone process, culminating in a senior project that addresses the capstone question, “How then, shall I live?”. Each student is asked to engage in a self-selected and self-directed project that leaves a significant positive impact. In 2009, two students established a school partnership program with a similar school in Landskrona, Sweden. After a preliminary trial run in the 2008-2009 academic year, students from the two schools will participate jointly in the Young Masters Programme (YMP) in the fall. YMP is a web-based distance-learning program focused on sustainability issues and, more importantly, projects that reflect proactive strategies to avoid or mitigate negative environmental impacts. The two schools will focus their partnership work on climate change. A student exchange between the two schools is also being planned.

http://www.iiiee-ymp.org/drupal/

13. District Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE) program

Independent School District 196 and its member schools, including SES, have actively implemented the Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE) program. At SES, students have assisted in a school-wide energy audit, worked with the district to switch to post-consumer paper products, helped establish new protocols for lights, heating, and cooling, and designed a number of transportation awareness and options initiatives.

http://seeprograms.com/overview.htm
http://seeprograms.com/

14. Climate Change Related Presentations

SES students and faculty have presented on climate change and climate change related programs at a variety of events and conferences, including the Will Steger Education Institute, the Minnesota State Environmental Education Conference, and the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at St. Olaf College.

http://www.globalwarming101.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=101&Itemid=46

http://fusion.stolaf.edu/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsDetails&id=4591