http://delhigreens.com/2009/12/24/swimming-with-the-current/ Changing the World, One Post at a Time! Wed, 23 May 2012 18:54:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://delhigreens.com/2009/12/24/swimming-with-the-current/comment-page-1/#comment-24045 Pratiksha Rihana Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:36:09 +0000 http://delhigreens.com/?p=2348#comment-24045 What was unfortunate about the COP was the way it was made into such a big mela...even when most of those decorated NGOs themselves declared later on that they were never expecting a deal anyways. And instead of realizing their failure to mobilize...they chose to join the "party" and wait...for nothing tohappen. What was unfortunate about the COP was the way it was made into such a big mela…even when most of those decorated NGOs themselves declared later on that they were never expecting a deal anyways. And instead of realizing their failure to mobilize…they chose to join the “party” and wait…for nothing tohappen.

]]> http://delhigreens.com/2009/12/24/swimming-with-the-current/comment-page-1/#comment-23926 Hari Batti Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:30:34 +0000 http://delhigreens.com/?p=2348#comment-23926 I'm afraid I have to disagree with the thrust of this essay. The cynicism that followed the "Copenhagen accord" is healthy, because the process itself was deeply cynical. Among other things, the White House actually announced a deal to the press before most countries had heard of it. That's cynical; but it's how you get the jump on the "spin" game. The US and BASIC got what they wanted for different reasons: a statement that sounds good, but has no teeth at all. Worse, it weakens Kyoto, which is a legally binding document. I read and wrote a lot about the Copenhagen fiasco at the Green Light Dhaba over the last two weeks. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty convinced this was a farce. (Here's a good analysis of what happened: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8426835.stm --I saw it in today's Hindu.) We shouldn't kid ourselves--doing that is what will lead to long term cynicism and disillusionment. We need to be honest. Swimming against the current is no fun, but sometimes it's the only way to get upstream! I’m afraid I have to disagree with the thrust of this essay. The cynicism that followed the “Copenhagen accord” is healthy, because the process itself was deeply cynical. Among other things, the White House actually announced a deal to the press before most countries had heard of it. That’s cynical; but it’s how you get the jump on the “spin” game. The US and BASIC got what they wanted for different reasons: a statement that sounds good, but has no teeth at all. Worse, it weakens Kyoto, which is a legally binding document. I read and wrote a lot about the Copenhagen fiasco at the Green Light Dhaba over the last two weeks. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty convinced this was a farce. (Here’s a good analysis of what happened: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8426835.stm –I saw it in today’s Hindu.) We shouldn’t kid ourselves–doing that is what will lead to long term cynicism and disillusionment. We need to be honest. Swimming against the current is no fun, but sometimes it’s the only way to get upstream!

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