Highlights from United Nations 20th Annual Climate Summit
United Nations Climate Summit COP20 (20th Conference of Parties) in Lima, Peru brought to you by Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. We’ve chosen a few stories that stood out to us there is much more from COP20 and Democracy Now!, we urge you to explore the complete conference.
From December 8-12, Democracy Now! broadcast from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru. The country is home to the largest area of Amazon rain forest after Brazil, and faces both melting glaciers in the Andes mountains and rising sea levels on its coast. Diplomats from around the world have gathered in Lima to reach a draft agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, which will be finalized in 2015.
“They Have Destroyed Our Livelihood”: Activists Protest Shell and Chevron at U.N. Climate Talks
Protesters gathered inside to protest the invitation of oil giants Shell and Chevron to speak on summit panels.
As Typhoon Hagupit Wreaks Havoc, Leading Filipino Environmental Voice Silenced at U.N. Climate Talks
The Philippines is being hit by a deadly typhoon for the third year in a row. More than 90 people have been killed and more than one million evacuated from their homes. The Filipino delegation at the U.N. climate talks has drawn attention over the surprising absence of Yeb Saño, the country’s former lead climate negotiator.
Silencing Dissent: U.N. Bars Climate Protesters from Putting “Keystone,” “Kerry” or “U.S.” on Signs
Rules at the United Nations Climate Change Conference that require protesters to submit banners and slogans for approval. Regulations bar mention of specific names, officials and projects. Civil society faces increasing separation from what takes place inside the conference. “The irony of course is that very few restrictions are placed on the fossil fuel companies that come here.
“Corporate Conquistadors”: New Report Exposes How Multinationals Drive, Profit from Climate Change
The Many Ways Multinationals Both Drive and Profit from Climate Destruction.
Pipe Dreams? Labor Researchers Say Keystone XL Project May Kill More Jobs Than It Creates
While the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has claimed that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would create 250,000 jobs, labor researchers say the jobs figures have been vastly distorted.
Activists: Climate Talks Have Done Nothing to Avert Catastrophe, But Hope Lies in People’s Action
“If developed countries don’t put down the resources that the poor countries need to prepare for climate change to protect themselves from the real impacts they are facing already, then you are going to leave poor people around the world facing hunger, facing increasing poverty without being able to cope. Yet they didn’t create the crisis of climate change, and they don’t have the means of solving the problem of climate change on their own.”
First Ever Climate Summit in Amazon Country A midst Growing Threat to “Heart of the Planet”
This year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Peru marks the first time the talks have been held in an Amazon country. More than 70 percent of Peru’s national territory is within the Amazon Basin. Also addresses the challenges facing developing countries with lucrative, but carbon-intensive energy resources, and whether the United States is being a responsible environmental steward for future generations.
Putting People Before Profit: Thousands March in Peruvian People’s Climate March in Lima
Climate justice activists from around world marched in Lima at the people’s climate march. We hear voices from Uganda, Mozambique, Australia, Canada, Peru, Nigeria and more.
Peru’s Deadly Environment: Host Nation of U.N. Summit is Among Most Dangerous for Land Defenders
The United Nations Climate Conference is being held in Peru, which is now the world’s fourth most dangerous country for environmental defenders. Four were killed in September alone.