Since I will shortly be leaving P&D studies and the work at the Univeristy I have also decided to move on in the blog world. For those of you who want to follow my travels and see what I am up to you can check http://whatsnextangelica.blogspot.com out.
See you around guys, and thanks for everything.
All the best,
Angelica
Hi guys – I will shut this blog down for a while as I am currently overloaded with work. Also, Peace and Development studies have started their own official blog now, that I will have to keep rolling. So, this blog is now officially on hold!
I will restart it again in a few months (because I have some exciting exciting exciting plans!!!!!!). If you want to know when that happens – leave a comment with your email below and I will message you. Otherwise you can check back in in May!
Until then, see you at blogg.lnu.se/fru
For the last….weeks? Month? Months?… I don’t know.. Let’s start again.
For the last week it has been snowing every day. And the weeks before that have also been snowy. And as I remember it the month before that too. It seems to me that the Swedes are becoming genuinly tired of having to sweep their garden paths every day, having to wait for the buses every day, and being late on the train. You would think that a northern country like this one would be prepared for the snow. But nope! It causes so many problems and disruptions, and you must have noticed how much people are complaining? Gees. Of course, I don’t like waiting, or being late, or being too cold (even if I rarely am - get some proper winter shoes is my advice), or not being sure if Ill make it to England tomorrow. But I do LOVE snow. More than I hate being late. So – I have taken on the role as the winter’s defender. As soon as someone sighs or complains I am there, beaming with a big smile on my face and talking about all the good things about winter. Mainly I talk about rosy cheeks, fires, all the fun activities and so on. I LOVE it.
Except for public transport it seems to me like we are handling it quite well so far anyway. Sure, some roofs have fallen under the pressure and so on, but as of yet (as far as I know) few people have been hurt because of the snow. Even read in the paper the other day that there have been quite few accidents on the roads and stuff. Guess people are just more careful. And maybe drunk drivers think it is wise to stay inside? But then on the other hand I went for a 30 min walk in Gothenburg this weekend, and saw 3 cars on the side of the road stuck in the snow. So maybe there has been lots of problems and people havent hurt themselves because they have had a soft landing?
And it is not just us that are having problems, as far as I can tell these snow madness have created “chaos” in several places. I know the UK have been hard hit, and I also remember seing an article about Washington DC being struck of a blizzard at some point. And while we are on the subject of Washington DC….
Many of you know that what happens with climate change legislation in the US will have a huge impact on the world, and Obama’s ability to join the fight to combat climate change for real. are you reading the news about it – are you keeping updated? It is important as a student of peace and development studies to read the news, surf the web, and keep an at least fairly general knowledge about whats going on around the world. If you haven, when it comes to US legislation, this is a good article for you. Go on – read it!
Pic from Cop14
(Qute from the guardian article, link at the end of the post.)
Even when things were going well in the rollercoaster UN climate talks – which was not very often – Yvo de Boer looked glum. Young observers of the final days in the Bali or Copenhagen conferences felt compelled to give him a hug, ministers knew to give him a wide berth, and other diplomats recognised that his job of twisting the arms of negotiators and bashing politicians’ heads together to reach agreement was next to impossible.
He did not have an easy job. But he tried hard and tried well.
Maybe it seems strange to some of you that I am a big fan of Yvo de Boer. He is to a large extent a “behind the scenes person” and many of you probably hadn’t heard about him until you came to my lecture or read my blog. But I am. A fan, that is. He is emotional, he is outspoken and frank, he is sensible and open and I think he has brought very much good to the climate change issue as a whole. Ambitious, just and really very nice. Of course, as with everything else, there are two sides to every story. But today, when the news reach us that he is leaving UNFCCC I choose to focus on the good things and how valuable it has been to have a person such as Yvo onboard during the climate change negotiations and through the whole process really.
Personally, like the heading of this post tells you, I am sad to see him go. He has a great knowledge of the process, he puts pressure on but is diplomatic at the same time and I just sympathise with him in most things… I am always impressed by politicians and people working within that type of environment who dares to show themselves and share thoughts and feelings.
So, today when I actually have a lot to be happy about (snow, seing good friends at the weekend, fun at work and much more) I am a little bit low at the same time. A lot because we dont know who will take over. And it is of key importance, Yvo has been so prominent in the negotiations, that we get someone “good” here. It is important now to strengthen the negotiations and not loose momentum even though in more way than one it looks a bit like it is going in the other direction at the moment.
But it is a long way to go until we get to Mexico. Ill keep you posted 
Have a nice weekend!
There are several things I can say that COP-15 meant for me. First, and maybe foremost, it is motivating to have been a part of it all. Because even if things did not go as planned (or…well…it did for some people) it was really, truly, an amazing experience for me. Such a cliché maybe but oh, so true. I met people there that will inspire me forever. People who have done things I can only dream of, and people who are among the most brave I have ever met.
Moreover, it motivated me because it is clear to me now, to an extent that it was not before, that the climate change issue lives (and dies?) with the people. I saw a videoclip somewhere where a young participant of the COP-15 meeting said that the people who are negotiating the outcome of the meeting aren’t really the ones facing the true challenge. And troughout my stay in Copenhagen that was very obvious. People were fighting for their lives. Literally. Because no matter what happens behind closed doors, the consequences will inevitably be seen out in the open. And the ones who decided what (not) to do about it will not be able to look away.
Further, my trust in negotiators and politicians have been rocked to the core. And I am not yet clear where I stand on this. But maybe I dont need to be. Maybe it is enough that I know that it is up to me. The one thing I can truly do is make sure I do what I need to do. And that can be done in many different ways. I am far (faaaaaaaaar) from perfect. I mean…blogging…. drinking coffe from a paper cup… just had an orange from Greece. Far from perfect. But I am aware, I am trying, and I will keep on trying. I am clear on where I stand, what I do, and why I do it. I think that is a good start?
Yeah. I learned A LOT in Copenhagen. More than I thought as I was going in to the whole process. But I can tell you this much – it was not easy. So frustrating at times.
Demotivated. Sad. Tired. Hopeless. Devastated. Angry. Furious. Yep. I felt all those things. And I am damn proud of it too.
So for me, ultimately, Copenhagen will remain in my memory as a failure. A big failure that noone should try and spin into a success. But, bearing that in mind, I have to say that if nothing else, at least it motivated me to keep going.
I received these answers a while back – but haven’t gotten around to publishing them before now. Better late than never! Kajsa Johansson, who has previously been working with us here at Peace and Development studies but now is project coordinator for several projects in northern Mozambique for Swedish Cooperative Centre, has taken the time to shortly answer the questions about COP-15. If you want to read more about Kajsa her blog can be found here
1. Are you worried about climate change – and if yes, what do you do about it?
Yes I am very worried about it in general on a global level but also more specifically from a South perspective. In the global South, the land and other natural resources are the key capitals for their survival. The climate change puts at risk these resources and the possibility to use them as earlier, in a predictable way. The poorest people are, once again, the most vulnerable ones to these changes. To give one example about what we do about it, I can mention trainings of farmers to adapt their agricultural practices to the changing and more unsecure environment. We also ncentive tree planting (new trees) and for people to care for the already existing trees and avoid slash and burn as common practice. We use demonstration/experimental plots and study circles as means to improve knowledge on these issues.
2. What do you think will happen in Copenhagen?
For me it is difficult to be specific on this point but off course I hope for concrete decision in favor of the global south but I am not very hopeful bout it. I think it will be difficult to reach binding agreements, unfortunately.
3. Is there any issue regarding climate change that concerns you more than other issues, or that is closest to your heart?
I think my first answer describes my closest concern which relates to the livelihoods and actual survival of all those in the world living on small scale subsistence farming – totally dependent on natural resources and climate conditions.
4. As regards to global warming, what would you like to say to our Peace and Development students?
That it is important to be practical and put the “small person” in focus -both for the mitigation and the adaption. And also that it is important to see how different regions are affected differently and have a clear power perspective in all climate issues (and all other issues in the development studies…).
Now that I have given two lectures on the topic of copenhagen and the climate summit and I feel that I am slowly starting to make up my mind on what the Copenhagen outcome means for me, on a personal level. It is nothing I necessarily need to share here (or do I?) but it feels nicer every time I think about it now – to actually know where my head is at. Roughly anyway.
It is quite funny how I can stand and talk about it for two hours, without any notes or breaks. just me. Talk talk talk-ing.
But – here at Peace and Development studies at the new Linnæus University I am (luckily?) not the only one doing the talking. Today for example we had Anders Nordström from Sida as a guest lecturer in our own “Open Univeristy”- and it was a nice opportunity for our students to get insight on international development cooperation. Mr Nordström spoke quite a lot, albeit not in so much detail, about how Swedish aid is focusing to a large extent on environmental issues and climate change.
All I could think was that it will be interesting to see if and how we act now, after the copenhagen accord when it comes to coming up with the $100 billion/year in 2020 as was promised in the final document. Of course, it is a bit early to say anything about that yet. But with the uncertainties that surrounds this whole process… yeah – at least will be interesting to see what happens.
The financial issues played, as most of you know by now, a huge role at the negotiations in Copenhagen. And as you also know, the question about funding is a highly sensitive one with many dimensions and complexities.
The main thing now is that the money that has been promised (altough it is not enough) is provided, and used in the right way. It should not be “old money” that gets re-labelled, it should not be double-counted money, but it should be funds additional to the official development assistance (ODA) and it should come in the form of predictable financing in a process where monitoring is possible and transparency and accountability can be guaranteed.
I would like to have mr Nordström back here in a year and highlight specifically this question – how far have we gotten in the process and where do we expect to go, how can countries work together on this issues, so on and so forth. Because I can try and keep up with the discussions as much as possible, read the news and surf the websites of relevant authorities, but that is rarely as good as talking to someone acutally in the process, face to face.
Either way, as the copenhagen conference falls further into history with each day passing the memory of the summit, negotiations and decisions, will keep influencing the coming work for us for a very long time.
We look ahead to Mexico. Let’s see what will happen there? People are already speculating about the possibilities of a new treaty there and what status it could get. I will try to live here and now for a while, and not look to far ahead just yet.
Currently I am having trouble, or maybe not trouble but I am a bit concerened in trying to orientate myself in the debate about the climate change science and the IPCC acting in response to criticism. I have been following the discussion and let me tell you, there is a LOT to read.
This post is already too long to be readable but Ill come back tomorrow (yes I will definitely try to update this blog a lot more frequently now) and try to sum up what it is that’s going on…
ok? deal? or maybe you can at least “take note”? (a little cop-15 humour there…)
If you want to get fitter, perhaps you should visit the next State of the Union address? I am not a experienced onlooker of these (I honestly couldn’t stand watching Mr Bush talk for an hour) but I can imagine that the senators rarely have stood up and sat down as much in a SoU as they did last night. They were jumping up and down, cheering and clapping, more than the bunch of new-years-resolution-people who recently have flooded my gym.
But I suppose that is a good thing. And it seemed to me that Mr Obama made many statements worth clapping about. He isn’t shy, that one. He talked about strenghtening the economy (surprise surprise?) and the creation of jobs as his number one priority. He threathened to implement a fee on the big bankers. “If they can afford to pay out big bonuses again, they can afford to pay back the American people” (or something similar, to that effect). He spoke about health care and investing in domestic business. Moreover, a freeze on government spending in 2011 was promised (or did he promise? maybe he just said…). So – lots of things worth clapping about. Clap clap. Clap away. I really sincerely hope that America gets back on its feet and, if they do what the big BO suggest, they might end up leading with a good example. It would be a nice change.
BUT (and this is a BIG BUT!) – he addressed the issue of energy v e r y briefly. He did well in committing himself to the urgent need of passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill. But that was it. Other than that he mentioned “clean energy” in several instances, but without really saying anything. Contrary to the hopes and wants within the environmental community he did not push the urgency of the issue of climate change. He received one of the loudest “yohooo!-s” (who knew senators were so prone to cheering and yohoo-ing out loud?!) for saying that America need to invest in clean enery, by extending and building new nuclear power plants (dot dot dot). He also wants to look into offshore oil and gas reserves. Not so good there Mister. I am not sure that is a good trade off for the passing of the climate bill? And what will your fellow Democrats have to say about that?!
On the topic on energy he said one more quite insightful thing (pheewww) which was something like
“I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future. The nation who leads the clean energy economy will lead the global economy. America must be that nation”
And he is right there – the nation who invests in clean energy now, will probably be the leader in the future. My wish however, is that he would not just focus on the economy. Yet again the money takes the most prominent role. He did not mention Tuvalu, the Maldives or the cities in America for that matter who are in danger of being flooded and gone within the next couple of decades. He brought no human dimension to the issue. But then again, perhaps that’s what you have to do to reach the people in the senate?
As a true American president, he is not very modest. He points out all that he has done well, and by all means praise should be placed where praise is due.. but perhaps he should be a bit more careful in taking credit and making himself look good.. “ We have gone from a bystander to a leader in the fight against climate change” he says. I say “Really….? Prove it” .
Either way, anyway, I enjoyed watching the 1hr 9min and 44 seconds of the State of the Union 2010. If nothing else, at least no one can call Mr Obama a bad speaker. He is outstanding, superbly skilled, in delivering a motivating message. He is relaxed, has a smile on his face for most of the time, but knows when to look serious. He jokes, waves and gets personal. And it is true, that for me, him -and him alone- has restored my hope that America might bounce back, and might… just might…sometime in the future..be able to lead without antagonizing the rest of the world. Oh, how I hope so. I am also glad to see I haven’t lost my optimism. Ha haaa.
It is a shame though… that words aren’t necessarily the same as actions. And that he is not bold enough to take a stronger stand on climate change.
What now? It remains to be seen. I look forward to the SoU 2011.
You can read the transcript of the talk here
Watch it here
Or read about it here, here and here
Open University time has changed from 16-18 to 17-19 on the same day. In Weber 1/2, see you there!
ps. Looks like we are getting our winter back in Växjö! Allow me to YEHOOO this!
 | danne on post-cop15 lecture |
 | varja on Mr Obama |
 | ed on Aerobics anyone? |
| Danne on … |
 | AK on … |
