Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Purpose and Agenda

Hello family, friends, classmates, and professors,

I want to welcome you to this newly created blog: Copenhagen Trip.

My name is Kevin Osborne. I'm a senior at Seattle University studying Environmental Studies and Mandarin Chinese. I have created this blog simply because I will be traveling on my own to Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7th - 21st. As you may know, the goal of the United Nations Climate Change Conference is to enter into a binding global climate agreement at Copenhagen from December 7th to the 18th, 2009. The goal of this trip is to learn more about climate change and the related environmental issues on a global scale as well as network with business professionals, engineers, environmental NGOs, and politicians.

This trip was truly a last minute endeavor. I booked my plane ticket on Saturday, November 21st. I have to thank Jonathan Harrington, an associate professor at Troy University and author of 'The Climate Diet,' for his encouragement as well as the support and love of my family.

As far as my agenda goes, I will not be able to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, but there are a variety of events, which I have listed below, I plan to participate in.

1. My main position during my trip will be serving as the official representative for the Lijiang Green Education Center (GEC), a satellite organization of the Yunnan EcoNetwork (YEN). This is a Chinese environmental NGO that I did my internship for this summer in southwest China on biogas technology and rural environmental education. I will be the delegate to spread awareness about the organization to business leaders and United Nations officials and potentially raise funds when appropriate.

2. Klimaforum09 is your climate summit, the global civil society counterpart of the official UN conference in the Bella Center. It will be the biggest climate event in Copenhagen besides the official UN conference. The programme will be featuring international guest speakers, over 150 open debates, 60 exhibitions, music, film and art.

http://klimaforum09.org/?lang=en

3. Bright Green takes place 12-13 December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in parallel with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). Bright Green brings to life a universe which addresses official delegates, the press, business delegates and the general public. Bright Green combines elements from art, architecture, entertainment and trade fairs. It showcases the business response to the climate challenge – not only as traditional trade fair but also as a live statement from the world’s most innovative and climate-friendly enterprises.

http://www.brightgreen.dk/

4. The Climate Leaders Summit 2009 is a forum for the exchange of practical policy advice between government leader and CEOs of some of the world’s leading low carbon technology companies and financial institutions.

I should also mention that I will have the opportunity to meet Governor Gregoire (WA), Governor Schwarzenegger (CA), and other political leaders including those from Canada leading the way in green initiatives at this event on December 15th, 2009.

http://www.theclimategroup.org/news_and_events/climate_leaders_summit/

5. I hope to travel outside the Copenhagen to tour other cities and areas that showcase the country's renewable energy projects such as wind farms.

6. I also hope to get in contact with the following Chinese environmental NGOs, which is still in the works.

http://www.cycan.org/ - China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN) (中国青年应对气候变化行动网络)
http://www.geichina.org/ - The Global Environmental Institute (GEI) (全球环境研究所)
http://www.icet.org.cn/ -Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation (iCET) (能源与交通创新中心)
http://www.juccce.com/ - Joint-US China Cooperation on Clean Energy (JUCCE)
http://www.netimpact.org/ - Net Impact

In terms of housing, I will be staying at a host family in the center of the Copenhagen, 8 km from the Bella Center. They have said they would be more than happy to show my around and get me acquainted to the city.

As for this blog, I will be updating it daily starting on December 7th through the 21st. I will also be uploading pictures on the blog.

Stay Tuned!

Kevin Osborne

P.S I have done other blogs from prior trips. The most recent is when I was in southwest China this summer for three months during an internship with a small Chinese environmental NGO, language study program, and visit to Shanghai. Please feel free to check it out.

The link is kewenosborne.blogspot.com