Prior to leaving for Copenhagen, Denmark, for the United Nations Conference of the Parties 15, a group of 24 UC Santa Barbara students and 4 professors held a weekly meeting to discuss logistics and plans while in Copenhagen. One professor advised that it was possible to have a planned schedule of the day’s events, but also suggested remaining flexible and networking with people in the hallways or lobbies. Flexibility turned out to be essential, as several UC Santa Barbara students and conference registrants were not accredited (allowed in the conference) until a few days after the conference began.

The unexpected large crowd resulted in long lines of frustrated and cold people anxious to enter the Bella Center, the main conference building. The Bella Center hosted the United Nation’s meetings, as well as other events that featured several prominent people. Even though the Bella Center remained “off-limits,” or difficult to enter for people registered under the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) title, everyone could attend the many climate change related conferences happening around the city. Copenhagen’s city center took on the name of “Hopenagen,” embracing the idea of “hoping” for change in the way people live today to make a difference for tomorrow. The city square featured a large stage, a giant globe, and portable structures that people could walk through featuring hands-on activities and information on how to make a home “green.” These elements were part of an effort to promote the conference and effects climate change will have all over the world. The center hub was constantly busy, and occasionally a passing protest would block the street. Any protest I witnessed was peaceful and well guarded by security.

The city center was not the only venue that attracted the public - another People’s Party conference took place down the road. This conference was called Klima Forum, and expressed the more liberal, radical views of the people. This forum had speakers, such as author Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, a website aimed at trying to reduce carbon dioxide levels to 350 parts per million by 2050. The forum also hosted side events similar to the main conference at the Bella Center. Particularly poignant events featured the indigenous people from regions dramatically being altered by global warming. These people are unable to afford renewable technologies and have to bear the consequences of a warming planet from developed nations that have high pollution rates.

Alternatively, at the Bella Center, a majority of the speakers on panels were part of a business, a government sponsored group, or someone performing research on climate change. I thought that the people needing to be heard most were underrepresented here. There was very little representation of the small nation-states. While less formal than the official conference at the Bella Center, the Klima Forum played an important role as the venue for the underrepresented.

Trying to receive accreditation to enter the Bella Center as a NGO proved to be a task not many were willing to withstand. It essentially required hours of standing outside in the cold hoping that the experience inside the venue was worth the wait. I was extremely fortunate and did not have to endure the harsh line and extreme weather, as I received my accreditation quickly being a part of one of the first groups to enter the Bella Center Monday morning. I immediately attended a plenary session (the main hall where negotiations occur) and was able to see the tedious process that occurs between different nations. I assumed that the official written document was done “behind-the-scenes” but that is not the case, as there is a secretary making constant changes to the document on a screen facing the audience. Observing this process, I now understand why agreements or settlements between countries take copious amounts of time because each country’s delegate has his or her own opinion and sentences can be rewritten several times until there is a final consensus. Throughout the rest of the day, I was dashing between different side events, taking notes during discussions, and learning about how different governments are reacting towards climate change. I felt the overall day’s experience at the Bella Center was beneficial in seeing how governments and businesses can work together.

Within the Center the halls were divided into rooms: the United States Center, the European Union center, and Climate Change Kiosks. At the United States’ center I listened to Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu discuss what the United States is doing to “go green”, or reduce its reliance on oil-powered energy. Chu also discussed ways in which the U.S. is helping developing countries reduce their carbon footprint. The U.S. announced a new initiative called Climate REDI (Renewable and Efficiency Deployment Initiative) which will promote and provide assistance in acquiring renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to developing countries in order to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. I was pleased to hear that the U.S. is acting internationally to help decrease carbon dioxide emission levels. However, since the financial crisis, I am skeptical that the U.S. will truly allot funds towards this initiative. In the Bella Center most panelists were eager and patient while talking to students. A group I found particularly engaging, YounGNO, was student organized and led. This group had its own agenda and press briefings providing an opportunity for student voices to be heard.

After spending an entire day at the Bella Center, I thought I was able to grasp the perspectives of developing countries, and how severely climate change is affecting them. However, the following day, I attended the Klima Forum, which voiced the concerns of climate change to an extreme level. Several students in the UCSB group attended the Klima Forum as their first event in Copenhagen and were able to get the “people’s perspective” immediately. I am unsure of whether I would have preferred to see the Klima Forum first or second, and wonder if I would have obtained a different perception of the Bella Center had I entered it second. At the Klima Forum, I enjoyed hearing peoples’ stories of how their home town is trying to become energy efficient, and interacting with university students from around the world.

Adjacent to the Bella Center, the Crown Plaza hosted the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) which incorporates California’s movement to reducing carbon levels and highlights what big corporations are doing in regard to climate change. I attended an event featuring the California transportation system that discussed how companies and the state government are promoting fuel-efficient vehicles and different modes of transportation. I learned that California is a big promoter of energy efficiency and that other nations are interested in what California is doing to reduce emissions. I discovered that in meeting new people, everyone was ecstatic to learn that I was from California – essentially we have a reputation as a state that makes change.

Throughout my stay in Copenhagen, I felt honored to be a part of world negotiations. Even if I was not allowed in the Bella Center the last remaining days to observe the process, being in a city immersed in a different culture raised my hope that peaceful, global interaction is possible. The outcome of the conference was somewhat disappointing, and I felt it did not accomplish the goals that were being discussed throughout the two weeks. However, this conference did heighten awareness that climate change is real and must be addressed. Several cities are taking individual action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions which may inspire other cities to reduce their emissions thus leading to a global revolution aimed at lowering carbon levels in the atmosphere.

While in Copenhagen, it was important to be alert and aware of all the events occurring. Personally, all the events seemed intriguing and educational, however I felt that it was important to manage my time and go to events with different topics. I went to discussions featuring food and agriculture, renewable energy, ocean issues, women and children issues, green building and planning, and forestry. Since I was there, I wanted to get an overall perspective of how the global society and all aspects within it are reacting to climate change. Climate change cannot be viewed as an issue that people can make short-term changes to and think the problem will be resolved. Long-term changes in how we live as well as government regulation need to be made in order to support the next generation. Just as people network and form relationships in society, everyone’s behavior and attitude toward the environment will determine how the climate changes. The technologies and resources which are needed to create change have been discovered and will promote better quality, resource efficient, and healthier lives to sustain us and future generations to come.

About the Author
Simone Steger is a current UCSB student pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in French. She serves as social co-chair for the Environmental Affairs Board with a focus on environmental education. Her previous work includes time at the Marin County Planning Department.