The Bonn Climate Conference opened yesterday. Opening remarks and welcomes from parties from around the world. The speaking was the kind of speaking that was non-specific, designed to evoke emotional responses, rather than action. It was speaking in the language of generalization, concept and platitude. It was the speaking of hope, good intentions and ideals.
And then someone spoke that broke the rhythm. The representative from Angola said that the work being done was insufficient and that it was time to make a change. That the 2 degree limit generally accepted as the danger point past which we should work to avoid was far to high, and that it was time to get serious about what it was going to take to keep the temperature increase to a maximum of 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial level. The language of her speech was specific and action-oriented.
When she was done talking, you could feel the shift in the environment of the meeting, and for a brief moment, something was different. Then the next delegate spoke, the same kind of speaking as before and the meeting went back to hope and well wishes. But everyone had experienced that distinct moment when Angola spoke.
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