The UN climate conference in Egypt started with massive chaos in the hot phase. Krone editor Mark Perry reports from Sharm el Sheikh.
Every minute on Monday morning black luxury limousines à la Maybach with tinted windows drove to the convention location in the middle of the desert. Grim bodyguards, their weapons barely hidden by their belts, looked in all directions and did not take their eyes off the various potentates (Saudis in snow-white robes, confidants of the Egyptian ruler, etc.). The apparently very important gentlemen (there were hardly any women) quickly disappeared from the heat in the ice palace, which had not necessarily cooled down in a climate-friendly way.
Outside, of course, there were hundreds of delegates who had to register for the hot phase with the coveted badge. What felt like a two hour wait in front of the eyes of ruthless and extra ferocious UNO police officers. 35,000 (!) conference participants need to be managed. Last year’s summit in Glasgow was better positioned.
Conference success would be a miracle
At least there are cool heads amidst the huge crowd of people who then make their way through the labyrinth of mismatched pavilions who still believe in the miracle of conference success. John Kerry, who bumped into the environmental editor “Krone” not far from the red-white-red office, is one of them.
“We’re doing our best,” said US President Joe Biden’s special representative for climate protection, who is married to the Heinz ketchup heiress. In fact, he seems to be moving a few inches in the deadlocked negotiations. The American signaled at the crucial point that the United States could allow money to flow to the South for climate damage. The financing of “loss & damage” is – as reported – the biggest stumbling block.
The Climate Protection Act has been pending for 700 days
Local youth deputies Philipp Steininger, Iris Zerlauth, Isabella Pfoser and Michael Spiekermann didn’t mince words when they met Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler. Why did you come despite the huge carbon footprint? “Together we can reach millions of people and claim things critically,” says student Philipp.
However, the climate protection rankings ritually presented at UNO conferences are causing head-shaking. Because this year Austria is once again behind Indonesia (rainforest looting of the most catastrophic magnitude) and France (ardent supporters of nuclear energy).
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
