COP19 began auspiciously enough on the same day as Poland celebrated its independence. I dont know if that will rub off on the COP country delegates enough to let them move heaven and earth, as typhoon Haiyan had shown how, and craft a much awaited agreement declaring humanitys independence from future climatic uncertainty. If that is too much to ask, Id settle for an agreement that may bring tears of joy to Naderev Saños eyes. While Im at it, I hope we do have an agreement that would make Yeb finally eat way before COP19 ends. Even further, may COP19 be truly auspicious that there are no more deaths, the missing are found, relief efforts are successful, hope restored and Filipinos become even more resilient by being prepared to face a disaster. Extending that even more, I hope that we all come out of the COP for the better. On another note, what is it with Warsaw and solidarity? In the 1980s, it was here that Lech Walesa formed the Solidarity Party that challenged the ruling communist Party. Thus, it is a welcome turn of events that as COP19 enters its second day, Yebs fasting has drawn solidarity from all over. Youth delegates from the US in attendance here will also be fasting. Significantly, my own classmates from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies plan to stage a similar symbolic effort. Meanwhile, in so many fronts in the Philippines and abroad, calls for volunteering time, money and other resources have multiplied and many have answered the call. Of course, here at the COP, negotiating work beckons. Schedules and agendas for the different groups, blocs and countries are being laid out. Plenary sessions on myriad climate related matters were held throughout the day. In the coming days, many side events will also be held, including side talks between parties who hope to gain an advantage somehow. In the end, this COP will be measured by something fundamental, the negotiations output that will have been churned out. Whether the parties who participated here will have found these to their satisfaction, or whether their interests has been preserved. And, yes, where Yeb is concerned, whether he has stopped his fasting.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:59:38 +0000
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