By: Kiersten DeBlaker

What is the first thing people ask me about my journey across the world? Did you see any elephants? I let everyone down when I tell them no, but I did meet the Secretary of the UNFCCC! They were not as pleased, however, still very excited for me. My journey to South Africa has changed a lot of my views and beliefs about global warming. I learned a lot from this experience and I am doing what I can to keep up with all the updates by receiving emails from the YOUNGO group. Through all the bumps and cracks created in the road to a better life that the United States and Canada created, in the end, all parties reached an agreement on a roadmap towards a new legal binding agreement; The Durban platform. This platform has an expiration date of 2015, but is this too long? Personally, I think this conference only delayed a real decision and was an excuse to pro-long the problem. Being a part of this conference has put a huge lasting memory in my head that I will always cherish. This has been a great experience and I cannot wait to follow up on my aspirations in San Diego.

By Pat Lestrange

Most parents want to leave behind a better world for their children. But with the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere the past few decades, the world will not be a better place. We have seen how climate change is bringing increased flooding, longer and harsher periods of drought, famine and extreme weather events that rock our coastlines. The question now isn’t if the world will be a better place in 2050, but how bad will our leaders let it get?

By: Matt DeNardo
Denial of the existence of climate change by the majority in the House of Representatives has obstructed progress in U. S. climate change policy and efforts towards an international treaty.

Democratic representatives Waxman and Markey of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce recently played host to established climate change scientists Drs William Chameides, Richard Muller, and Ben Sanders.  The briefings were aimed towards dispelling climate change skepticism[1].  This admirable effort included the presentation of data that has, “validated the fact that the world is warming” by Dr. Muller, a prominent ex-skeptic of climate change[1].  

By Pat Lestrange

As the member nations of the UNFCCC continue their negotiations we are packing to head back to the US. News will most likely hit the airwaves while we are in transit between continents, but we will put something up when we touch down.

A friend at home asked me if the conference had gone well and I did not have a great answer for him. There have been great steps taken by some countries, but some were stepping forward and others back. I wish I could say what I thought the final decisions were going to look like, but I can’t. The only thing I can do is stay optimistic. 

Delegations appear to be proceeding hectically with COP17 President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane telling a press conference today that talks are under way before she hurried back to them.  Either the negotiators are busy or no one wants to face the press right now with the U.S. and China both canceling press conferences in tandem.  Inside the ICC there is a large protest.  We have some video below of the protest including a segment by an African youth and the press release is linked to the Read More. 

By: Kiersten DeBlaker
On December 7, the United States really hit it on the nail for the fossil of the day not only placing second, BUT FIRST PLACE AS WELL. Yes, it is possible for a country to win more than just one place, and the United States is the second country next to Canada to be “successful” in doing so.

The United States were not alone however, the European Union also shared second place for supporting the deletion of Fast Start Finance paragraphs from the updated amalgamated Long-Term Cooperative Action text. The Fast Start Finance is a commitment made by countries who pledge to provide new and additional resources which include forestry and investments. The United States and the EU made a commitment in Copenhagen and continued their commitment in Cancun. By deleting the few paragraphs from the Fast Start Finance document, this implies that they are not serious about the past commitments made by their head of states on provision of finance to the most vulnerable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change. This shows a lack of leadership.

The United States was awarded first place for the fossil of the day. Adding these 5 points, the US stands at a solid second place for the grand fossil. It seems as if the United States is in complete denial that climate change exists and has taken a complete U-turn on the issue of legally binding commitments.

They stated that the United States, whom is the largest historical emitter, turns up with a mandate to only discuss commitments in the next decade. This then only makes other high emitters sit back and do nothing.

Personally, I was very upset and angry. I almost expected something good to come out of the COP from the United States; Pat had told me “what did you expect?” I honestly expected cooperation and trust from our country. A show of leadership since this is what we are known for. I am extremely upset about the position the US has taken upon themselves during this COP and we are not sure if there is a chance for them to climb out of the hole they dug for themselves.

By Pat Lestrange

Besides my cohorts here I had yet to meet anyone specifically excited about chemistry and the international year at COP. Ntiokam Divine, though, is enthusiasm personified.

After a relaxing lunch yesterday with students from Dickinson College, I checked my email after a few hour hiatus and as always had 30+ waiting for me. Buried within the emails from YOUNGO were several messages from Dr. Foy telling me that I needed to meet Divine. The plan was to meet and go with him to a talk the US was giving at 3 pm. Instead of a simple point-to-point journey, we went on an adventure spanning most of the campus of the conference.

By: Matt DeNardo

Tove Ryding of Greenpeace International (pictured left) said some amazing things at the Climate Action Network (CAN) International Press Briefing on the current state of negotiations (some a bit over the top perhaps, you be the judge).  Srivinas Krishnaswamy of CAN South Asia  made clear  which of the 4 packages being considered by negotiators CAN finds acceptable.  Samantha Smith of the World Wildlife Fund had some really interesting things to say about China.  I tried to write about it but the whole thing is so quotable I couldn't help myself.  It ended up being a raw string of quotes.  The audio is better.  If you are at all interested in what is going on here at the COP you should check it out! 

By Pat Lestrange

There’s a hurried enthusiasm in a room of young people working towards real change and cooperation between nations. 

The United States and China are the two biggest emitters of carbon dioxide. During the panel discussion, Jianyu Zhang of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) said that these two nations need to improve the understanding between one another in order to move forward with negotiations. There is no lack of communication, but there is a lack of trust between the two political entities.

By Matt DeNardo

The ideal commuter car may not be a car at all.  Don’t believe me?  A spin in the Renault Twizzy might just change your mind.  It did mine.  

_Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel vehicles contribute to global warming.  When charged by electricity generated by a zero carbon energy source, electric vehicles have the potential to obviate this policy.  The Renault Twizzy is one such vehicle. In the interests of posterity (and fun) I took it upon myself to thoroughly examine the Twizzy (it's a tough job but someone's got to do it).  In order to share just how much fun the Twizzy is, I filmed a ride with a Renault demonstrator from the two seated Twizzy's passenger bay.