Imagine putting together a conference once a year that draws 10,000 to 20,000 people from all over the world, and each year it is in a different host country. This is a major undertaking, and every year there are logistical glitches. Last year in Copenhagen there were annoying problems with registration including long, long lines.
Cancun is no different. Here the challenge is the layout of the meeting locations with informational meetings (side events) in one venue and negotiations and official proceedings in another. Transport times by bus would be an expected annoyance, but on this first day 15 and 20 minutes commutes took 1.5 to 2 hours because of traffic and security measurers. Diplomats and NGO representatives alike found themselves stuck in buses and cabs. Hopefully by tomorrow this problem will be resolved or improved upon.
USA as Big Foot
It is interesting to note how big a role the US plays in these negotiations even when our policy for the last ten years was to do next to nothing on climate change. One reason is because we are the world's largest (or 2nd largest) emitter as well as the world's largest economy. Consider that when greedy US bankers tanked the economy two years ago, economies around the world suffered, including here in Cancun at the UN Climate Summit. Our diplomatic as well as our carbon footprint is enormous. In meetings with our NGO colleagues from around the world it is always, "What is the US going to do?" "Will they participate in financing to assist poorer countries with adaptation?" "What will the US require in return?" Frankly, it is embarrassing or at least awkward to be a representative from the US when we presently exercise so little influence over what happens on climate policy in our own country. It is hard to look a representative from a small island in the eye when her nation faces extinction as a country in the next 50 years.
Building a Movement
If we are to change the sorry state of climate policy in the US and in other recalcitrant countries like Canada and Russia to mention a few, we, the people of the world, have to build a worldwide grassroots movement; a movement in the US and a movement in every corner of the globe. With one billion people facing the loss of their homes in the next 100 years due to climate change, the consequences are really incomprehensible, exceeding all disasters experienced in human history. As Jim Dougherty and I discussed over a Mexican dinner in downtown Cancun, the battle will not be won in Cancun or next year in Durban, South Africa. Climate change will not be solved by diplomats. The battle will only be won in the streets and at the ballot box. In the US and perhaps in the world, Sierra Club can play a major role in building this grassroots movement to save the planet. We have a lot to share with our colleagues around the world in building this movement. And, a lot to learn as well.
-- Glen Besa
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