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Slater's blog from Copenhagen
Wednesday, December 16th

by Slater

Slater makes it to the Bella Center
Slater makes it to the Bella Center

Day two.

Woke up at six, on the bus by 7:45. We ran into a Venezuelan reporter named Reed and followed him onto a train. He had been here since Sunday, and seemed to know his way around.

As we jogged up a set of stairs, he ran into a friend from Mozambique, who was part of the “green group” of protestors taking part in the big protest I told you about yesterday. We’d been told the green group were more radical and more likely to have run ins with police. Reed ran to get some breakfast and left us to follow his friend onto the train where the rest of the waiting greens were standing. There was a somber mood that hung about them and they seemed very intent on keeping it. Dan still wanted to get to the Bella Center, to see if we could get in this time, get our accreditation. We hopped off at the next stop to hitch a ride to the Center. The “greens” silently watched us go. Later on we’d come to be very glad we didn’t follow them.

We arrived at the Bella Center, where a mass of people was swarming in a line towards the one entrance that was the first checkpoint. I almost got run over crossing a bike lane. In Copenhagen they make up 40% of transportation. I’m sad to say, this was not the first time in my stay I’ve almost been impaled on a wheel spoke.

Slater with a friendly protester
Slater with a friendly protester

At the gate of the Bella Center, we wondered if we were going to get in. Dozens of NGO’s every day were being dropped from the conference. Maybe to clear it out a bit before the arrival of the leaders?

First checkpoint. It was the cop last night who turned us away. He remembered us and let us through without badges. Somehow we got through all 6 checkpoints by my mom’s fearless, confident smooth talking of how our badges were waiting for us. We got into the building, to prepare for the screening of our articles and us.

We got through the screening without major problems, and walked into the busy room that prepared people with their badges. Got in line, and I was given my badge, directed to a photo taker, and was on my merry way with my pass. Except... DB and Wendy did not have passes waiting. WHAT!? No, no, no, no, no. I’d have to go in alone? I was being thrown into a tank of sharks! I got a quick pep talk by D.B. and my mom and got in line. I was checked, my badge was good, and then they asked for my ‘secondary badge’. Secondary badge? I stumbled back in shock and we called several contacts inside to see if they could get us in. Nuttin’. So what did I do? I sneakily got back in another line and innocently smiled at the guard. I got through. WHEW! Off I went into the chaos of the Bella Center.

Slater interviews Ben Wessler from SustainUS
Slater interviews Ben Wessler from SustainUS

10 minutes later I was inches away from sobbing my confusion and panic into the phone to my team outside. They told me to film my hysteria. Okay. Round two... after filming myself, and calming down somewhat. I roamed around until finding my way to the SustainUS group. I got several very satisfying interviews, one with the chair of the SustainUS delegates, another with two girls from that group. As I was speaking with them, a protest broke out and we watched as cameras swarmed to the action. We hurried over, the two girls with a mic and me with my camera.

It was like a mini storm, quickly gone past, but wild. I spoke to a Columbian delegate and a Dutch delegate then went to the inside guts of the Bella Center. UTTER CHAOS. I almost fainted. A swarming mass of humanity going back and forth across the massive building of speaking rooms, cafes, delegate offices, etc. The next few hours I ran back and forth across the building which was similar to a small city… finally getting some interviews with some Canadian delegates. I tried to make a few actions, but I either missed them or didn’t have time to wait for several hours. I hope I got some interesting footage there.

On one of my many back and forths between the inside of the Bella center and the waiting room by the door, I saw this familiar looking man, and I said "Mr. Layton?" He turned around and I felt relieved to see another Canadian there whom I knew was very concerned about the results of the conference: Jack Layton is the head of Canada’s NDP Party and a very nice man.

It was a bit disappointing when one demonstration I left, several hours later really heated up and became a center of attention. A group of youth got together and refused to move until negotiations came up with an ambitious, binding treaty. They’re still there I believe.

Pandas join the World Wildlife Fund's candle ligh
Pandas join the World Wildlife Fund's candle ligh

We left the Bella Center after Dan and my Mom had waited outside for 5 hours. I ran into my friend Emily Hunter, who was part of the peaceful demonstration outside and luckily, part of the “blue” group. The “green” group, the ones we shared a bus-ride with this morning, had stormed the fence, and proceeded to be water cannoned, tear gassed and hand cuffed, left to lie in the freezing weather by onlooking cops.

It had become too much. We went to eat. We were able to relax a bit, and then catch up with the World Wildlife Fund’s candlelit vigil walking through the streets of Copenhagen. My shoulders had been aching like they were slowly being ripped apart from my backpack and we were all very tired. We made our way back to our apartment and I started to write this blog.

Today was insane, and very strange for me, I thought I knew what to expect, but I didn’t. This conference is enormous, and swarming with thousands of different voices, and people. No wonder it’s hard to get things done. But we have to get things done. We have to act now. We have so little time, and we keep talking like we have years and years and years.

I’m hoping our leaders listen to us and make ambitious choices for a green sustainable world. I’m hoping our future isn’t threatened because of more delays in making any serious, meaningful changes.

I’m hoping the insanity that is the Copenhagen climate change conference comes up with a sane direction to follow.

Page created on 12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

The UN Climate Change Conference - For more about this historic meeting
SustainUS - U.S. Youth for Sustainable Development
 

Author Info

December 16th, 2009
United Nations Climate Change Conference