Tuesday, December 9th, 1997
By Andrew Kerr

Daily Diary Archives

I'm Just Waitin' on a Protocol

Andrew Kerr Intense boredom punctuated by intense activity describes a day long on developments, but short on real news. But sitting here in the conference center at 3 a.m. there's been an atmosphere like the first Moon landing. Something historic might happen if the whole show doesn't crash on landing. And we're looking for a "small step for a man... a huge step for mankind" on this one, Mr President!

The WWF team arrived after the 7 a.m. briefing to greet European Union negotiators entering their first meeting of the day. Simple pleasures. The thumbs up with the EU flag brought cheers from assembled Euro government reps. WWF'ers delivered postcards sent in from children in France telling European leaders to stop climate change. The message was obvious--that the European Community should stick with its 15 percent reduction target and not be brought down by the US's weak proposal and mischievous maneuverings.

Then the boredom began to set in, and rumors began to fly...and rumors about the rumors. (Tip for the Day: How can you tell when negotiators tell the truth? Their lips don't move).

Everyone was anticipating a proposed treaty text submitted by Conference Chairman Raul Estrada. First it was scheduled to be released at 3 p.m., then 4 p.m. Finally, at 5 p.m., it strayed into the territory of the enviro community who returned to their bunkers and fell on it like wolves. The guts had been hauled out in 15 minutes: it was a sad sight - a flawed, new-born agreement dead on the office floor. It was a mercy killing. We kind of felt sorry for anybody who poured their heart and soul into this proposed treaty, thinking it would please large numbers of people, and provide the possible text of a final protocol.

Before a forest of cameras four of the world's largest environmental organizations -- WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Climate Action Network, exposed what it was in the draft agreement to reduce global warming gases that would actually allow emissions to increase. So many reporters gathered that it was standing room only on the balcony above, with journalists throwing pennies at the speakers' heads whenever they had a question (just kidding).

Today's unexpected visitor to the WWF office was the Danish Minister for Energy and Environment, Svend Auken. Somewhere amid the debris of documents, computers and empty Japanese lunch boxes, he found space to give Danish journalists and NGOs the latest scoop. It was a reunion. WWF last worked with Minister Auken in September when he gave us a "Gift to the Earth" by announcing a new plan to strengthen Denmark's efforts to cut its carbon dioxide 20% by 2005. What an antidote to these talks in which too many countries are trying to avoid turning down the burner on Planet Earth.

This tense, small world inside Battlestar Galactica concludes tomorrow.