In keeping with the eerily appropriate Harry Potter references, the Krogerup Hojskole in Denmark is complete with a Forbidden Forest. 'The Forest' is merely a patch of trees, probably not more than three acres or 14 dunam, for my Middle Easterners. The Forest is thinly wooded, mostly with tall birch, beach, oak, maple and other deciduous trees.
And much like in Harry Potter, the Forest is Forbidden because it has a reputation for holding dark, lurking things. Several times, suggestions were made to go through the forest at night -- which, with plenty of ambient light around, is not difficult to navigate on wide, flat trails. Yet many people at our Climate Change conference were anywhere from reluctant to outright fearful. Not for fear of muggers or other people, but because it was dark and unknown.
It surprises me how deeply rooted the fear of the forest is. In Hebrew, "midbar" is the word for "wilderness" and most often translated as desert. While it is "raw" and as such perhaps closer to g-d, "there's nothing out there". Man is let loose upon the world to conquer and subdue nature, or in a post Earth-Day translation, are supposed to have stewardship and responsibility over it. People abandon their primitive animal past to cluster in cities.
This theme continues throughout world literature. Shakespeare's forest was wild, uncouth, a place for base animals and animal instincts. The City represented culture, civilization, and mankind at his best. So too in the American experience, where the terrifying Forest --full of savages and wolves and bears oh my!-- was felled with fire and field, beaten back to make room for Progress. Brazil's flag has a motto --anyone?-- "Ordem e Progresso" --Order and Progress.
In South America, Malaysia and Indonesia, the jungle (or if you prefer the more sanitized 'Rain Forest') loses an Illinois-sized chunk every year (!!) to clear-cutting for hamburgers, hotdogs, rubber trees, and paper. Order? In the North, in places like Manchester, Connecticut, stunning forest was replaced by a wasteland of strip malls all with the same unnecessary products. Progress? We are hacking down the lungs of the planet with such ferociousness you'd think that the forests were hunting us down instead. Instead they provide food, paper, lumber, rich soils, soil filtration, rubber, medicines, biodiversity reserves, animal havens, water, oxygen and carbon sinks, soil stability and filtering, etc. Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" shows just how one-sided the arrangement is (and a good example of terrible codependency). But despite the profit to be made, the pace and scale of forest destruction is so appalling words cannot describe. Is it pure greed and stupidity?
Why such fear, hatred, and greed? How short-sighted can we be? Even many of my fellow Climate Ambassadors shared this fear and apprehension. If we have any chance in making a positive impact, we must start with our (sorry can't help myself) root feelings and assumptions and embrace the wild for allowing us to be. Otherwise...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Model UN
Model UN went well today - we discussed the upcoming Climate Change agreement to be hammered out in Denmark and specifically, who should pay, and how much, for C02 reductions. This was run by the Danish Model UN, www.danmun.org. Our work will likely be published on www.muncc.dk
Sadly, we had only a few minutes to prepare before presenting; and I think the varying levels of English comprehension compounded the matter.
I was on the "Kingdom of Denmark" delegation. Not used to a public forum, I didn't speak very clearly and I was nervous. I remembered why I was behind the scenes for so many years. Still, I tried to keep it short and to present Denmark's position.
A little bit of study before this conference paid off, just in simple familiarity with the issues. Additionally, I was assisted greatly by lectures this morning from Martin Lidegaard, Chairman of the Danish Green Think-tank "CONCITO" which means something like "we will move it", and Henrik Bindslev, Director of Denmark's Technical University, Riso.
Points: It looks like Denmark was one of few countries to take the Kyoto Protocols seriously. Although having one of the highest tax rates in Europe, the taxes have funded a transition away from oil and coal to wind and other alternative energy sources. Despite a population increase, Denmark's emissions are only 3% above 1990 levels! While their target was a reduction of 20% in this time, this is fantastic progress in a world where India's and China's emissions have increased by 88 and 73%, respectively in the same timeframe. The US and Japan have increased 20 and 15% as well.
So despite a heavy tax burden, Denmark has made serious commitments without destroying their economy -- in fact growth has been about 2.7% since 1993.
They have kept international commitments, such as meeting technology transfer requirements, and created internal mechanisms to deal with change.
In short Denmark has been a leader in CO2 reduction, and international commitments. It has been a working model for several years showing what is possible, and it seems logical to conclude that for this reason, Denmark has been chosen to host the 2009 UN Framework Convention on Climate Changes (who brought you Kyoto).
The UN concept was a great exercise but again, we were sadly unprepared and didn't really understand the framework of the exercise. Nonetheless we persevered and the
end agreement, while incomplete due to time constraints, had some great features brought by collaboration. I was quite flattered that a Dane said, "you represented my country well; I was proud." So it looks at least like I'm learning.
Tomorrow we discuss Transportation.
Sadly, we had only a few minutes to prepare before presenting; and I think the varying levels of English comprehension compounded the matter.
I was on the "Kingdom of Denmark" delegation. Not used to a public forum, I didn't speak very clearly and I was nervous. I remembered why I was behind the scenes for so many years. Still, I tried to keep it short and to present Denmark's position.
A little bit of study before this conference paid off, just in simple familiarity with the issues. Additionally, I was assisted greatly by lectures this morning from Martin Lidegaard, Chairman of the Danish Green Think-tank "CONCITO" which means something like "we will move it", and Henrik Bindslev, Director of Denmark's Technical University, Riso.
Points: It looks like Denmark was one of few countries to take the Kyoto Protocols seriously. Although having one of the highest tax rates in Europe, the taxes have funded a transition away from oil and coal to wind and other alternative energy sources. Despite a population increase, Denmark's emissions are only 3% above 1990 levels! While their target was a reduction of 20% in this time, this is fantastic progress in a world where India's and China's emissions have increased by 88 and 73%, respectively in the same timeframe. The US and Japan have increased 20 and 15% as well.
So despite a heavy tax burden, Denmark has made serious commitments without destroying their economy -- in fact growth has been about 2.7% since 1993.
They have kept international commitments, such as meeting technology transfer requirements, and created internal mechanisms to deal with change.
In short Denmark has been a leader in CO2 reduction, and international commitments. It has been a working model for several years showing what is possible, and it seems logical to conclude that for this reason, Denmark has been chosen to host the 2009 UN Framework Convention on Climate Changes (who brought you Kyoto).
The UN concept was a great exercise but again, we were sadly unprepared and didn't really understand the framework of the exercise. Nonetheless we persevered and the
end agreement, while incomplete due to time constraints, had some great features brought by collaboration. I was quite flattered that a Dane said, "you represented my country well; I was proud." So it looks at least like I'm learning.
Tomorrow we discuss Transportation.
Model UN
Climate change conference goes along swimmingly.
There are people here from Yemen, Cameroun, Finland, Brazil, Estonia, Turkey, Serbia, England, Hungary, Palestine, Denmark, Israel, Ghana, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Poland, Nepal, Japan, and about a dozen other countries as well. It´s staggering, the variety of nationalities, colors (from Hershey's special dark to white and every shade in between), languages, backgrounds, etc.
We eat in a common dining facility and share stories, details, contact information, possible projects for helping one another in the true spirit of the project, 'Crossing Borders'. I have really enjoyed meeting the Syrians, Lebanese and Yemenite in particular as they are close to my region and somewhat a mystery and I think it's the other way around as well. Also I've gotten to talk to the Palestinian and Jordanians as they are close by, and many of us know each other through the Arava Institute.
There are scientists, NGO representatives, students, journalists, policy makers.
The amount of potential here to do something serious, significant, and lasting for environmental quality is electrifying. I hope we as a group are not only aware of it but act on it.
There are people here from Yemen, Cameroun, Finland, Brazil, Estonia, Turkey, Serbia, England, Hungary, Palestine, Denmark, Israel, Ghana, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Poland, Nepal, Japan, and about a dozen other countries as well. It´s staggering, the variety of nationalities, colors (from Hershey's special dark to white and every shade in between), languages, backgrounds, etc.
We eat in a common dining facility and share stories, details, contact information, possible projects for helping one another in the true spirit of the project, 'Crossing Borders'. I have really enjoyed meeting the Syrians, Lebanese and Yemenite in particular as they are close to my region and somewhat a mystery and I think it's the other way around as well. Also I've gotten to talk to the Palestinian and Jordanians as they are close by, and many of us know each other through the Arava Institute.
There are scientists, NGO representatives, students, journalists, policy makers.
The amount of potential here to do something serious, significant, and lasting for environmental quality is electrifying. I hope we as a group are not only aware of it but act on it.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Crossing Borders
Well, the conference is off to a surreal start.
It was pretty cool -- both the Israeli and much of the Palestinian delegation met in the Tel Aviv airport. Having done the Arava Institute, there was an existing connection which I think made matters smoother than mere "nice talk".
We shared food and stories and helped each other through the planes, trains and automobiles. We arrived by train late to the conference site, Humlebaek. Leftover dinner was brought out and we sat around eating and learning the very basics for today.
I met my first real-live Syrian, which I couldn't do in my country or his. His Jordanian companion joked, "ah, so here is the enemy". Seemingly innocuous but a profound statement -- for here, we can meet. Maybe this thing can work!
This is sortof a boarding school -- it seems much like the Arava Institute, and what with the multicultural origins of the participants (eventually there will be about 80 people from 30-odd countries), it just seems a lot like Harry Potter. I guess that makes Garba, the 'headmaster', a natural for Dumbledore. I was pounding down good food -- like Ron?
Well, down to the communal breakfast.
More later!
It was pretty cool -- both the Israeli and much of the Palestinian delegation met in the Tel Aviv airport. Having done the Arava Institute, there was an existing connection which I think made matters smoother than mere "nice talk".
We shared food and stories and helped each other through the planes, trains and automobiles. We arrived by train late to the conference site, Humlebaek. Leftover dinner was brought out and we sat around eating and learning the very basics for today.
I met my first real-live Syrian, which I couldn't do in my country or his. His Jordanian companion joked, "ah, so here is the enemy". Seemingly innocuous but a profound statement -- for here, we can meet. Maybe this thing can work!
This is sortof a boarding school -- it seems much like the Arava Institute, and what with the multicultural origins of the participants (eventually there will be about 80 people from 30-odd countries), it just seems a lot like Harry Potter. I guess that makes Garba, the 'headmaster', a natural for Dumbledore. I was pounding down good food -- like Ron?
Well, down to the communal breakfast.
More later!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Four Minutes (Tick-tock Tick-tock)
Welcome to Turtle Run's inaugural blog!
Next week I am going to Crossing Borders' "Climate Change Youth Ambassador's Program" in Denmark. www.crossingborder.org Over ten days, participants will learn up-to-date information on energy, transportation, housing, food and growth. They bring back what they've learned to their communities, in order make a positive impact and create an enduring network across borders. The program is also part of the run-up of activities in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference, in which it is hoped a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocols can be worked out. http://en.cop15.dk/
I am really stoked to be going to the conference – and as head of the Israeli 'delegation' (due to my advanced age)! Each participant is asked to present something they are involved in. It is only natural that I represent my workplace, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. www.arava.org
Even without dozens of participants presenting, "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a good principle to live by. So I've tried to pack all we do into a three-to-five minute presentation. Although the Arava Institute does such great work that it almost sells itself, previous Israeli participants have told me that Israel has not been warmly received in the past. How can I explain what takes us months and years to do in four minutes, the variety of activities we're involved in, and the contentious, complex issues we deal with?
I believe in the work we do. And I want to share it – to show other people what is Possible when people risk being wrong, risk having their preconceptions shattered, risk changing and growing and trusting. Can I do it? Will I be a worthy representative? For as we say at the Arava Institute, "Nature Knows No Borders". Madonna and Justin, you were right: We only got four minutes to save the world.
Next week I am going to Crossing Borders' "Climate Change Youth Ambassador's Program" in Denmark. www.crossingborder.org Over ten days, participants will learn up-to-date information on energy, transportation, housing, food and growth. They bring back what they've learned to their communities, in order make a positive impact and create an enduring network across borders. The program is also part of the run-up of activities in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference, in which it is hoped a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocols can be worked out. http://en.cop15.dk/
I am really stoked to be going to the conference – and as head of the Israeli 'delegation' (due to my advanced age)! Each participant is asked to present something they are involved in. It is only natural that I represent my workplace, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. www.arava.org
Even without dozens of participants presenting, "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a good principle to live by. So I've tried to pack all we do into a three-to-five minute presentation. Although the Arava Institute does such great work that it almost sells itself, previous Israeli participants have told me that Israel has not been warmly received in the past. How can I explain what takes us months and years to do in four minutes, the variety of activities we're involved in, and the contentious, complex issues we deal with?
I believe in the work we do. And I want to share it – to show other people what is Possible when people risk being wrong, risk having their preconceptions shattered, risk changing and growing and trusting. Can I do it? Will I be a worthy representative? For as we say at the Arava Institute, "Nature Knows No Borders". Madonna and Justin, you were right: We only got four minutes to save the world.
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