Climate Week and the G20: 2009

[theg20andclimateweek]

Where next for Climate Change?

Climate Week has come and gone, the G20 Summit too, so what is there left to say?

First of all I need to tell you that I had half a mind just to leave this blog as it was. The timing of my last post seemed just about right and, in context, I felt it was suitable to end with too. However, on reflection, I felt as though it was missing something and that it didn't really communicate the fact that this blog is actually coming to an end.

My work here is done. For now at least anyway...

Originally I had intended to seal it off and cast it into blogosphere as some kind of 'climate change time capsule', containing various snapshots of how things were at the end of Summer 2009, back when we had the chance to put things right.

But I have a sneaking suspicion that this won't be the last time I'll be working on a project like this and I'm hoping, over the next 18mths or so, I'll have the opportunity to attend the Climate Summit in Copenhagen (and more events like), and maybe, just maybe, see some real change take place.

It's a strange feeling of conflict I have at the moment.

On the one hand, Climate Week in New York was magnificent. I was able to spend time and meet with some amazing people who all had some truly eye-opening stories to share.

But on the other, the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh was much less exciting. It seemed like, after all the talk and demonstrations in NYC (mainly thanks to the awesome people at organisations like Avaaz and TckTckTck), nothing was actually said or done. The two things that I took away from the summit were a commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies (awesome) and a move to recognise the G20 as the formal replacement to the G8 (but still no real representatives from the poorest countries).

With the whole event over-shadowed by the sudden announcement of secret Iranian nuclear capabilities, everything else seemed to be cast by the wayside. Sad times. 

I'm hoping that this means, that come Copenhagen, when the Climate is the *only* thing on the agenda, with AOB all sorted out at G20, we might actually see some real change take place.

Until then, we wait.

And for now, this blog is at an end.

I've been James Whatley. Thanks for reading.

[theg20andclimateweek]

The youngest protester we saw today.

It was quiet. There was so much noise before and so much noise after, but then - just at that minute, there was quiet.

[theg20andclimateweek]

The peaceful protest begins

25092009052.mp4 Watch on Posterous

So. Many. People.

[theg20andclimateweek]

On our way to another Oxfam stunt. Passed this guy on the way.. Intimidating? Much?

[theg20andclimateweek]

The World Wildlife Fund Briefing

Quotes:

Brazilian President wants to reduce deforestation by 80% by 2020. India is seeing massive investments in energy efficiency and solar energy. Aiming for a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2016.

Myth: Developing Countries are not doing anything about Climate Change Myth: Developing Countries don't want to talk about finance.

_______________________________________________________

FACT BOX - GREEN JOB POTENTIAL: Source "A Global Green New Deal: A policy brief", UNEP, March 2009

ENERGY About 2.3 million people have in recent years found jobs in the renewable energy industry, and projected investments of US$ 630 billion in 2030 would translate into at least 20 million additional jobs globally: 2.1 million in wind energy, 6.3 million in photovoltaic, and 12 million in biofuel-related agriculture and industry.

BUILDINGS Investment in energy efficiency could generate 2 to 3.5 million new jobs in Europe and the USA alone. In Australia, a proposed US$ 3 billion green housing package over 4 years is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.8 million tons a year while creating 160,000 new jobs in auditing and installation services.

TRANSPORT In the US, a 10-years federal investment programme in new high-speed rail links could create 250,000 jobs. In Korea, US$ 7 billion to be in invested in mass transit and railways over the next three years is expected to create 138,000 jobs.

http://panda.org/media

[theg20andclimateweek]

My #G20Voice Chatter (for today anyway)

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[theg20andclimateweek]

Those protesters up close..

24092009048.mp4 Watch on Posterous

..well, as close as we're allowed to be anyway. Tomorrow's mission, speak to a State Trooper.

[theg20andclimateweek]

Occupying No Man's Land

24092009047.mp4 Watch on Posterous

Let's see if we can get closer...

[theg20andclimateweek]

The Motorcade #ClimateVoice

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The policeman, he say we must wait for the motorcade...

[theg20andclimateweek]

Protesters outside the UN #ClimateVoice

22092009037.mp4 Watch on Posterous

So, that was intense...

[theg20andclimateweek]

The Chowney Interviews - Part Two

Carrying on from where we left off, next up we have the final two interviews taken on the Green Carpet outside the premiere of The Age of Stupid.

Recorded and saved offline (then later uploaded), these higher quality videos were both shot on the Nokia N86 with Vikki Chowney in front of the camera and yours truly behind.

Final Interview One: Stephen Baldwin - (2:57)

Final Interview Two: Heather Graham - (0:59)

[theg20andclimateweek]

The Chowney Interviews - Part One

As promised, here is the first batch of interviews taken from the green carpet before last night's global premiere of the Age of Stupid.

Originally broadcast live on Qik and recorded with the Nokia N86, these first four videos have been transferred onto YouTube for your viewing pleasure. I'm behind the camera, Vikki Chowney is in front

First up: Jamie Tworkowski, founder of 'To Write Love on Her Arms'. To Write Love on Her Arms, or 'TWLOHA', is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide - (2:23)

Next: David Banner, Grammy Award winning producer for Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" - (3:27)

If that doesn't float your boat, we were immensely lucky to happen upon Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The sound is a bit hard on this one, but I'm not not putting this video up. No way - (2:18)

Aaaaaand finally, for this first batch anyway, we have Nikki Blonksy, star of recent Hollywood musical smash, Hairspray - (3:06)

Sterling job all round.

The bright lights on some of the videos are thanks to the UBER spotlights that were behind us... Apologies. Two more video to come shortly, this time of a much higher quality.

Thoughts/comments welcome.

[theg20andclimateweek]

The thing about Moby is... #ClimateVoice

...you don't want to piss him off.

Last night Vikki Chowney and I attended the Global Premiere of the Climate Change awareness film, Age of Stupid.

As per my previous entry, we only had a rough idea of what the remit was going to be (i.e.: Go, stand on carpet, grab guests, discuss Climate Change - which we did and the interviews will follow shortly), but as far as I was concerned that wasn't happening until much later that evening.

When we arrived however, it turned out that Moby had already kicked off the proceedings with a few tunes (with bicycle-powered instruments of course), and, by the time we made it to the front he, along with X-Files fan-favouriote Gillian Anderson, was taking questions about his thoughts on Climate Change.

It was at this point that one particular 'Journo' decided that he'd try and provoke a reaction from both interviewees by asking:

'If this is so important to you, how did you get here today?'

This was Moby's response...

[theg20andclimateweek]

Cabcam: On our way to the UN! #climatevoice

22092009036.mp4 Watch on Posterous

So much video to upload from last night.. But first thing's first: To the U.N.!

[theg20andclimateweek]

The Age of Stupid

Tonight sees the Global Premiere of Climate Change awareness film, The Age of Stupid. With over 500 screenings in over 40 countries over the next two days, The Age of Stupid will be launched internationally at the biggest and greenest live film event the world has ever seen. That's pretty big.

I think that tonight's mission for the blogger contingent is to scour the GREEN (not red) carpet, seeking out potential A-listers for interviews etc. We're leaving in 20mins. I better shower.

[theg20andclimateweek]

Interview with Rickman Patel #ClimateVoice

You may recall in my last post I said I'd try to get an interview with Rickman Patel? Well, fortunately for us, he came back to the office after the flashmob and, with the aid of Vikki Chowney, we managed to get some face time with the man himself to explain exactly what Avaaz is doing getting involved with ClimateVoice.

Vikki, it's over to you:

That link Rickman mentions (and I show off on the Mac) is http://avaaz.org/hub - and it makes for some pretty impressive viewing.

[theg20andclimateweek]

Post-Flashmob in Union Square #ClimateVoice

21092009029.mp4 Watch on Posterous

There is a LOT of media here... the guy doing the talking is Rickman Patel, Exec. Dir. of http://avaaz.org, they have some awesome stuff going on at their site. I'm going to see if we can get an interview with him later...