COP15 PresentationThese international negotiations were unprecedented in many ways, including the largest ever number of heads of state, NGOs, and overall participants, as well as the most intense showing of passion by demonstrators both inside and outside the doors of the convention center. VLS students and faculty had front row seats for witnessing the highs and lows of the climate negotiations. For instance, they saw the lead scientists at the IPCC describe the alarming results of the most recent climate studies, which show the situation is much worse than they had predicted just a few years ago. They saw how the tiny island nation of Tuvalu stood up to world powers and insisted that the negotiations shift toward a path that would protect them from imminent destruction. They heard vulnerable low-lying and impoverished nations pleading for assistance with adaptation measures to help them address the burgeoning humanitarian crisis already underway as a result of climate change. And, they saw the deadlock between the U.S., China, and other countries that stood in the way of achieving an ambitious, fair, and legally binding agreement that so many voices were demanding. On the other hand, the VLS contingent was heartened to see the overwhelming determination of NGOs, youth groups, and community leaders from both northern and southern countries who vowed to keep the pressure on world leaders in the coming months. If you want to hear more, please join your fellow VLSers for a slideshow and panel discussion on Thursday, January 28th, 12:45-2pm in Oakes 007.
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