Arnie’s rallying cry
The most striking thing about this event is the flux which exists around every arrangement. There is an air of anticipation which permeates everything and represenatives from States and Regions are stopping in corridors to discuss what they are doing, meeting in the street to exchange stories of progress and having impromptu discussions over breakfast in the many hotels filled with delegates keen for a deal.
At the DG-Byen Centre, where the Climate Group held their hugely successful day of events, NGOs mingled with ministers monitoring progress within the Bella Centre by mobile phone and internet.
I was inside the main auditorium listening to leaders delivering their key note speeches when protestors burst into the reception area of the centre. Such demonstrations are common across Copenhagen as the clock continues to tick down to the final few deal-breaking days.
After a full programme, across the city to the Climate Group’s gala reception where the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gave a rousing speech. Security was tight and the venue went into lockdown just before the Governor entered. He told the audience that it was for the States and Regions of the world to take the lead on climate change, as history has shown that it is not the major powerbrokers who influence change, but instead those who are closest to the ground. And he ended by telling the full to overflowing room, “I’ll be back!”
I was fortunate to present the Governor with a bottle of the 42 per cent whisky which has been especially bottles by Stop Climate Chaos in to highlight the 42 per cent emissions reduction target set by Scotland.
