There are many, many issues arising here. At the top of my list is my own Internet interruption on my laptop, so I can't upload to my website. I am using a conference computer, so can send email.

I am keeping up with the Climate Justice Now (CJN) coalition, which involves many organizations. We meet each morning and someone is assigned to go to each official meeting and report back the next morning, so that is very helpful. There are a very few opportunities for Civil Society to make "interventions" (give statements) at plenaries. They are very short and at the end when most country delegates have left, and then they are often canceled. But the CJN email list is full of preparation and editing of interventions. Folks from Civil Society are expressing frustration at limited access. There are no "actions" going on in the meeting space as security is very tight. Two members of CJN were asked to sign pledges that they would not participate in any actions, since it was noted that they had participated last year in Cancun.

I went to the Occupy Earth assembly this afternoon and have some photos, but can't upload now. I hope all Occupy movements are holding COP-17 in the Light!

Here are some issues arising:

---The next COP (18) is scheduled in Qatar, which has the highest emissions per capita. I thought the U.S. held that position. CJN and others will probably protest that choice.

---South Africa seems to be leaning toward the EU's position, which advocates slow progress --- emission reductions of 25 - 40% by 2020, which is seen as a betrayal of the Pan-Africa position, which is that developed countries must reduce their emissions by at least 40% by 2017 and by at least 95% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There is some effort to get to South African media with concerns about their delegates' betrayal of the rest of Africa.

---Since Canada, Russia, and Japan have all said they will not sign a renewal of the Kyoto Protocol (KP), the EU is all that is left of the developed countries, which further reduces the percentage of emissions that would be covered by the renewed KP. Protests are particularly targeting Canada.

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