Staff writer Katherine Gregor here, just letting you know I’ll be blogging from Copenhagen, Oct. 5-10. I’m providing coverage of Denmark’s climate action in advance of COP15; Copenhagen is the host city for the United Nations conference on global warming, and a showplace of “green” initiatives. So check in for those blogs!
In Copenhagen Dec. 7-18, the assembled nations hope to negotiate a new, stronger global climate pact, that includes the U.S.
I was invited by the Royal Danish Embassy, as one of five U.S. correspondents on the advance October study trip. Denmark is a small, flat country of many islands, threatened by catastrophic flooding in climate change scenarios. The Danes are promoting their own climate action in order to increase dialogue and action in the rest of the world – even reaching out to us here in Austin, Texas.
Much of the reporting will relate back to “green” and alternative energy initiatives in Austin, such as the Pecan Street Project, Austin Energy’s generation plan, green building standards, and the city’s bicycle master plan.
Highlights include:
Oct. 5
* Climate Consortium Denmark (a public-private group advancing clean-tech solutions)
* Bicyle tour of Copenhagen’s extensive system of bicycling and walking streets
Oct. 6
* Visit to Samso, a small island 100% powered by renewable energy; Sanso Energy Academy and Danish Energy Association
Oct. 7
* Visit to a demonstration village for low energy-use housing, and to industry developing next-gen insulation, etc.
Oct. 8
* Green Transport: Electric vehicles and new models for sustainable transportation infrastructure.Visits to “Green center” at the Ministry of Transport.
Oct. 9
* The COP15 negotiations. A private meeting and interview with Connie Hedegaard, Denmark Minister for Climate and Energy. She’ll be discussing international negotiations in advance of COP15, and realistic goals for the UN conference. Denmark is pushing for an ambitious climate protocol.
Oct. 10
* The exhibition “Smart Use of Energy” at the Danish Design Center. We’ll visit it during Kultunatten (night of culture), a wild time when everyone in Copenhagen goes to a museum or a cultural event on the same night. On their bikes!
Stay tuned for more!
This article appears in September 25 • 2009.