A long and exhausting but exciting day. Registered & checked out everything I could- spent 6 hrs. Walked into the Bella Center with the Avaaz folks about 10:30 AM and chattered away with people on line from Senegal. Atmosphere felt electric with energy & determination. Now have my official badge with my photo and a public transportation pass. Remarkable number of people under thirty here- maybe 30%? People from all over the world, every possible physiognomy and clothing.
Lillian Ball asked about the significance of Obama's visit. Everyone I spoke to is buzzed about Obama coming. They feel it's symbolically critical and therefore heartening. Obama's coming towards the end is esp significant because a lot of footwork will have happened first. On th other hand, any agreements that come right out of the gate will be, as someone from honeywell put it: "lipstick on a pig." The real work will happen later, incrementally and without drama. Obama's visit will be the same day (the 18th) as my press conference so I may have a very small audience but I'll have a lot to say.
Met & chatted with the friends of the Earth People and the Fossil people who will give out "fossil" awards to those most deserving of being designated a fossil starting tomorrow at 6: PM. Cased the huge complex, checked out the press rooms and the deserted upstairs design showcases. Shot the naked white mannequins in barely lit windows down empty halls and the ubiquitous press people setting up and testing their impressive equipment. Had lunch (good). By 3:PM, people, inc me, were looking a bit peaked and withdrawn into their computers and agendas. 1500 laptops set up all over the center for use= 1 for each ten people. I'll bring my own tomorrow. Came back to the Koefoed's. Had rushed out so fast this AM, I forgot to ask for a key & had left my phone inside so I checked out the neighborhood (dogs, children) till someone showed up, thanking my lucky stars that it was neither raining nor snowing & delivered the fruit I'd picked up on the way back.
Tomorrow the real events at COP15 start at 10:, The COP15 people said be there before 8:AM to get in. Translation: convince the children here to turn TV off by 9: PM and wake up about 6:30 AM.
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