Robert Swan at COP 15

15 December, 2009e

What a cold, cold day! The chill wind of the day before gave way to fluffy white clusters of ice falling fast. Robert and his son, Barney, arrived to a packed room of young people who had that morning completed a two week electric scooter ride from Den Bosch to Copenhagen, ‘The Road to Copenhagen’. Introduced by Alexandra from Essent, Robert proceeded to tell the Antarctic story, that of leadership and inspiration.

At the end he was handed a ‘Manifesto of the Road to Copenhagen’ from the young people that he is going to take to the next World summit in 2012.

All came down to the yacht. We had the ChinaYouth COP15 team already onboard and some of our IAE 09 team there. Our family was growing! The snow started coming down fast again, covering those on the wharf waiting for their turn to come onboard, chat to Robert and be given the tour of 2041 by the crew…ten on…ten off.. slowly and don’t slip…twenty on…ten off. ‘2041’ loved all the attention. And as the light started fading so too came the time for visitors to go to their next events. A smile touched my face as I saw them leave reluctantly.. they now felt a little of what we feel…’2041’ has spun her magic again.

Robert and the crew proceeded to our next event… an open lecture held at a local university. What a mixed group - students, specialists in their own fields, friends from IAE 05!, media and business people. All were transported away and then brought back. The conclusion of not just Antarctica’s fate but that of the world was being discussed just two metro stops away. One could feel the tension. We had tried to go to the Bella Center earlier that morning and were sent to the ‘short’ queue (so much for the extra accreditation). The prospect of standing in line for 6 hours was not inspirational. How are we to contribute? Even leaders and lecturers were at a loss as we all stood outside. We decided to go to the KlimaForum, how differently things were being approached there.

I believe that we’re at a time of not just an environmental crossroads but a personal one. We are dependent on the environment and the environment is dependent on us. A little respect would go along way.

Best LB