Where to find hope in Copenhagen

The media are playing around with the conference slogan Hopenhagen, now calling it Nopenhagen. This might be the final word after all because last night a deal to keep warming to 2% Celsius, with 100 billion dollars for developing countries, died by morning.

The coverage of the protests about inaction in Copenhagen has been extensive, but, it isn’t only about protests and police action here outside the negotiations. Where you find Hopenhagen is in learning about initiatives coming out of lower levels of government, from the labour movement and non-governmental organizations. The World of Work Pavilion organized by the ITUC and LO-Denmark has showcased the work of unions around the world to address climate change, making it clear that the movement for green jobs, for transforming industrial practices to reduce emissions, for a just and equitable transition to a green economy is gaining strength globally.

The hope was high last night at the labour – environment event sponsored by Blue Green Canada and Blue Green Alliance. The Honourable Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Environment for Nova Scotia, attended to receive the Blue Green Canada Emerging Leader in Green Energy award. Nova Scotia has legislated a reduction in provincial greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, with a target set at 25% renewable generation by 2015. A new initiative, the Fundy Tidal Power Project, will produce energy out of the 100 billion tonnes of water that flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy four times each day and help the province meet this renewable target. Green energy and more green jobs are in Nova Scotia’s future.

When Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of US Representatives, arrived with congressional leaders Henry Waxman and Edward Markey, co-sponsors of the Waxman-Markey Bill on climate and energy which is now known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act, they brought a message of purpose and solidarity with everyone in the room. With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s announcement earlier in the day of US support for a $100 billion a year fund for poor countries to fight global warming, Pelosi, Waxman and Markey spoke as leaders working hard to develop and support solutions at the domestic and international level.

As the final day of the negotiations opens, President Barack Obama’s arrival is being touted as the last opportunity to break the impasse between nations. Expectations are uneasy as to how these talks will wind up, at this point few dare to hope that they will be the success we need.