Live from Copenhagen Climate Conference

I'm writing this after being in a session on melting ice caps in Greenland with Al Gore and ministers from the Danish Government. It is incredible to be here with so many things going on and so many people from all over the world who want to do something to limit the effects of climate change.

We were shown some very recent scientific research which shows that estimated sea level rises and ice melt rates are way too low. You can see a copy of the report I picked up here.

I've also been to some sessions on deforestation in the Amazon (REDD - a word that I've seen a lot here means Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation - basically trying to protect forests) and how different UN agencies are working with indigenous people to help protect the forests. In some areas they are using new technology like Smart phones with Google Maps to send quick images of illegal deforestation.

I found out that one talks have been suspended after some of the delegates walked out.

The venue, the Bella Center, is massive - but it's still not big enough to hold everyone who wants to attend. I managed to get in early this morning, but by around 8.30 the doors were shut and people had to wait in line outside in the cold. I've just heard that some people waited for 4 hours in the queue, but then gave up. Later on this week fewer and fewer people are going to be able to attend. The place only has enough space for 15,000 people - and with all of the heads of state arriving soon - they are trying to make it less crowded.

If the Bella Center is closed, lots of people will head over to the People's Climate Conference 'Kilmaforum' in central Copenhagen. There are some great people there and some really interesting events - yesterday I spoke to some people about different ways of getting young people interested in Climate Change (we put different ideas together on massive sheets of paper) - making things fun and attracting people who wouldn't usually be interested.

That's certainly what the people who run 'The Stupid Show' and 'The fossil of the day' are doing. Have a look at their sites for live streams and the latest videos.

Also, I have to recommend the film '8'. The Danish Film Institute are showing films with an environmental theme every night during the conference and having discussions with great speakers like Al Gore and IPCC Chairman, Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri . '8' is a collection of short film (by some famous directors) each based on one of the UN's millenium development goals.

Off to see what else is going on!