This afternoon we attended an ICLEI side event, featuring Sir Nicholas Stern (sorry, no photo - I wasn't organised, but he was good!), and the Mayors of Melbourne, Johannesburg, Seattle, Delhi, Mexico (super)City and the ex-Mayor of Bonn (now chair of world council of mayors, since Cop11 (Kyoto)). Note that COP16 with be in Mexico City, maybe midyear. Some of the presentations included:
The Melbourne Mayor spoke of the week leading up to Black Saturday. He said that whether it was caused by climate change or not, it was a sneak peek at the coming world - and it's not good. He said that after a week of >40'c days, Melbourne was near breakpoint: the grid was straining, many buildings and systems were strained, people were tired and prone to making mistakes - an all round bad scene.
Seattle. He assumed that in 2000, the federal government was working on what we now know as climate change. He was mistaken, and it became clear in 2005 that with a cancelled snow season, there was no water, and therefore no (hydro) electricity, and he needed to do something. Seattle is on track to achieving a Kyoto-like target, and he challenged across the US - now 1016 other mayors have signed on.
World Council. Local government is key to addressing climate change. With more than 50% of humans living in cities, we must make cities work sustainably. She made a plea for the local government role to remain in the (Kyoto-ish) text.
There were other statements, and the Melbourne Mayor participated in a constructive and spirited way, which was good to witness.
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