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The US government said Monday it would start to regulate carbon dioxide as a dangerous pollutant, sidestepping a divided Congress to boost global climate talks in Copenhagen.The decision paves the way for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue standards on how much carbon US factories, buildings and cars can emit, even though legislation has yet to pass through the Congress.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed orders declaring six greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide blamed for global warming to be pollutants that are subject to government regulation. This new development will give president Obama new power to make a real offering and agreement when you comes to Copenhagen next week.
News from the Front
 Yesterday Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, the UN’s top climate change official, expressed confidence that the UN Climate Conference would deliver a comprehensive, ambitious and effective international climate change deal. “Within two weeks from Monday, governments must give their adequate response to the urgent challenge of climate change,” said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. “Negotiators now have the clearest signal ever from world leaders to craft solid proposals to implement rapid action.” He added that the numerous emission reduction pledges that developing countries have made “show that there is an unprecedented political momentum to clinch an ambitious deal in Copenhagen. Yvo de Boer spoke of three layers of action that governments must agree to in the course of the coming two weeks: fast and effective implementation of immediate action on climate change; ambitious commitments to cut and limit emissions, including start-up funding and a long-term funding commitment; and a long-term shared vision on a low-emissions future for all.
More than 15,000 participants, including delegates from 192 countries, are expected to take part in the UN Climate Change. But is it enough and will the US make a real and binding commitment? While President Obama’s proposal to reduce US emissions by the equivalent of 4 percent from 1990 levels by 2020, and China’s offer to nearly halve the ratio of pollution to GDP over the next decade, should be taken as signals they are prepared to negotiate, these numbers appear to be too little too late. People like Lester Brown, president of Earth Policy institute and author of Plan B 4.0 (to down load or order this book go to http://www.earth-policy.org/) and author, educator and environmentalist Bill McKibben (http://www.350.org/ ), are calling for a cut of net global carbon emissions of 80 percent by 2020.
Which numbers are right? I invite you to take the time during the next 2 week to do your homework and come up with your own answers to that question. I will continue to supply daily updates on what is happening here, including leads to do your own research. But it is up to each of us to get involved, get informed and Act! There could easily be upwards of a hundred thousand citizen activists coming to Copenhagen to make sure that their voices and the people they represent are included. The big question is, will your voice be heard. The children of future generations are asking right now, what did you do when you heard…?
Thank you so much for following and supporting the WellofLight blog. I invite you to send a link to others.
Great Blessings On Us All,
michael
Get informed, Get involved and Act!
A full day of meetings, exhibits and inspiration: Church pilgrimages, Environmental Building exhibits, inspiring call to people to rise up in action from Connie Hedegarrd, Climate Minister to the UN Climate Conference and a call for leadership from city officials by David Cadman, president of ICLEI, but most inspiring of all was visiting the international forum for young activists from over 80 countries…
We live in an age when to be young and to be indifferent can be no longer synonymous. We must prepare for the coming hour.The claims of the future are represented by suffering millions;and the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity.
Benjamin Disraeli
I want to tell you about two young women I met today. As I was covering a climate pilgrimage I happened to pass the university here and noticed a lot of young people going in and out of the main hall. Curious as to what was going on I slipped in the back door and found myself surrounded by a packed house of young people brainstorming climate change in a beautiful 500 year-old room where the University holds it graduations and special events. It was a gathering of members of the International Conference of Youth (COY) Just listening to their passion, commitment and brilliant solutions I was moved to tears…
I talked with Amelia Melville from Great Britain, who told me that they were meeting to generate ideas of what they could do if they found the solutions that our global leaders came up with to be unacceptable. They were establishing guidelines of what they felt would be a fair and acceptable agreement from our leaders. As I talked with her I was touched by her clarity and focus. I left thinking, “this is who I work for – the 750 youth from over 80 countries who have made great sacrifices to be here and have their voice heard – whatever I can do to support them, I must!
Caroline Howe is a young women from the US who is living in India and working with the India Youth Climate network, empowering the youth from the global South where climate change is already causing massive disruption, starvation and environmental displacement. She asked us all to listen and recognize the youth and their innovative ideas about change. She is clear that we can turn things around, but not with out the passion, creativity and brilliance of the young people.
She told me “Our perspective is different from the leaders who are currently throwing around numbers. I’ve seen young people implementing change in a way that world leaders can’t imagine. They are using web 2.0 to mobilize the brilliance of young people, they have innovative technologies, innovative applications and better funding strategies. I am inspired because I know what’s possible – I know that an 80% carbon reduction by 2020 is not crazy – It is possible! That’s why the youth voice is so important. It must be heard because we are doing things differently in terms of our actual on the ground implementation.”
My question is, “do we have the courage to let the youth of today step forward and take on the leadership of tomorrow.” We need these voices of hope, inspiration and innovation to be heard and supported. The future of all life on this planet depends on it.
That’s it for today friends. Another day in Hopenhagen, and the Conference doesn’t start till tomorrow…
Blessings,
michael
 Rainy night in Copenhagen I feel so blessed to have found such a wonderful apartment in the center of Copenhagen. Thousands of people are frantically searching for a place to stay and thanks to friends I have found the perfect place to live and work. Next to Oslo, this is the most expensive city in the Europe. I discovered how true that was with my first meal. With the dollar falling against most of the world’s currency I would not suggest going to Europe for a vacation right now.
The purpose of this blog is to give you daily updates on what is happening here starting on Monday and to provide access to intelligent analysis of the issues, data, opportunities and programs that are happening. One of the solutions to climate change that will be discussed at the Climate Change Conference is cap and trade. I invite you to watch this new video by Annie Leonard (if you have not yet seen The Story of Stuff I would watch that also) http://www.vimeo.com/7908590 It is controversial statement and you will find lots of contrary comments on the internet. But, I feel it is a good place to start. One of the most important thing to question is the beliefs, assumptions and motives behind each arguments I only send these as a place to start thinking about the issue.
Still recovering from jet lag but wanted to connect with you all on this rainy night in Copenhagen. I am reminded of a story about people in desolate, sun scorched areas of the Sub Sahara who go out and dance and sing in the rain in thanksgiving. I feel so much gratitude to be here at this historic gathering and pray that the rain will nourish the roots of real change on our planet. A good start is having President Obama here on the 18th!
Great Blessings to you all,
michael
 Atlanta Airport Friday 120409
Surrounded by a flurry of damaging news reports from the climate denial industry I leave for Copenhagen. The damage that is being done to a very serious issue is immeasurable…
Here are 2 links I invite you to review to get closer to the reality of what is happening:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,25433059-5003900,00.html and http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2009/12/02/CanadaEnvironmentCriminal/
The primary purpose of my taking this trip is to help educate a woefully uninformed American Public. If you get your news from the Corporate Controlled mass media please use discernment, as with any unknown source, including what I report. Hopefully it will stimulate you to do further research for yourself. More than 90% of the science community agree that climate change is here, it is very serious and it is primarily human induced. I will be supplying links, articles and daily news reports as things unfold over the next two weeks.
Please pass these on to as many people as possible. We have the technology and power to turn this around and time is running out! You make a difference
I will be adding information throughout the day.
Blessings,
michael
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does”
Margaret Mead
 New Year's Community Dance Celebration Proceeds benefit Conversations on KVMR — get your tickets now!
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There is no profit to be made on a dead planet.
Conversations host, Michael Stone,
to Report from UN’s Copenhagen Climate Change Conference
December 5-18, 2009
In December, Conversation’s host, Michael Stone, will be heading to what has been described as “the most important diplomatic gathering in history.” The outcome of these meetings between representatives from close to 200 countries will likely determine the future of life on this planet. Current expectations for a viable consensus are low, but intense public pressure is being placed on the world’s leaders and governments. You are encouraged to join in what Paul Hawken has called, the largest movement in history, by contacting your elected leaders and letting them know how you want them to represent you and the children of future generations.
Three years ago 87% of the US population believed that climate change was a problem, today only 57% hold this view. How can this be with approximately 95% of the scientific community agreeing that we are rapidly moving into the sixth mass extinction on earth, and this one is man-made. In what could be called, the greatest crime in history, billions of dollars has been spent on promulgating propaganda and disinformation generated by a small group of corporate self interest groups creating confusion around the issue. The mainstream corporate media, like Fox News, has perpetuated the problem. This is why it is so important to support community radio like KVMR.
The United States did not ratify the current international climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997. The US is under intense international pressure to commit to viable emissions reductions. We are the second largest greenhouse gas emitter, which is considered to be the primary contributor to global warming. With 4.5% of the world’s population, the US spews out over 36% of the worlds carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, China with over 20% of the population, is now running neck in neck with us in the pollution race. The lowest polluters on the planet are the ones who are being heavily impacted by the richer industrial countries… Copenhagen represents an opportunity to do what is right, but it will take a massive public outcry.
The current consensus in the scientific community is that we need an 80% reduction in Carbon emissions by 2020. That’s right! Sound impossible? Actually, we have all the technology and tools available to do just that, what is missing is the collective will to generate a massive coordinated effort like we did in World War II. We converted our factories to produce tanks, weapons and aircraft to defeat the enemy. In this war we are our own worst enemy and we need to make friends fast. We cannot blame our political leaders because they have not been given the mandate by us. We have a president who understands diplomacy and alliance building, but without raising our voices we will continue with business as usual, until there is no business, because we have destroyed the very earth that clothes, feeds, nourishes and sustains all life.
I hope you will listen to our daily newscasts from Copenhagen and follow my blog on www.KVMR.org and www.AreWeListening.net (if you go to this website you can listen to the interview with Janet Larsen from World Watch Institute and When Technology Fails author, Mat Stein, for a clear plan on how we can turn things around.
Remember, we are all in this together. The time for bickering is over. It is time to get informed, get connected and act! Thank you for your co-creation of what Joanna Macy and David Korten have called the Great Turning toward an earth friendly world.
CONVERSATIONS, hosted by Michael Stone, brings you leading edge thinkers in the areas of Environmental Restoration, Evolutionary Cosmology, Social Justice and Spiritual fulfillment. We look for positive solutions to local and global issues that leave you touched, moved, and inspired to action. Our weekly guests include local and global experts and concerned citizens working together to heal the wounds that separate, alienate, and marginalize people… You can listen every Tuesday at 1pm
Upcoming Shows on KVMR’s Conversations with Michael Stone
Every Tuesday at 1pm PST
CONVERSATIONS, hosted by Michael Stone, brings you leading edge thinkers in the areas of Environmental Restoration, Evolutionary Cosmology, Social Justice and Spiritual fulfillment. We look for positive solutions to local and global issues that leave you touched, moved, and inspired to action. Our weekly guests include local and global experts and concerned citizens working together to heal the wounds that separate, alienate, and marginalize people…
September 22, Gail Larson: If You Want to Change the World. Tell a Better Story
Gail Larsen is a communications coach, speaker and workshop leader, group facilitator, and an award-winning entrepreneur. She founded Real Speaking in 1991 to support her clients in mining the deep well of their life experience and self-expression to become powerful platform speakers. www.realspeaking.net
September 29, Jean Houston: Creating your own story
Dr. Jean Houston, scholar, philosopher and researcher in human capacities, is one of the foremost visionary thinkers and doers of our time, one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. She has written 26 books and is the founder of The Mystery School which is dedicated to training people in recognizing and remembering the great mystery that dwells within each of us. www.jeanhouston.org
October 6th Tina Stanley & Ed Bastian: Living Fully, Dying Well
Tina Staley, MSW, is a clinical social worker and Cancer Guide with Duke University Medical Center and provides supportive self-guidance to cancer patients and their families for an enhanced quality of life through multi-dimensional care needs and courses of treatment. She helps to address concerns and feelings raised by a diagnosis of cancer.
Edward W. Bastian, Ph.D., is a Buddhist scholar and teacher and was executive producer for a series of award-winning BBC and PBS programs about religion and three films about Tibetan Buddhism for the National Endowment for the Humanities. He taught classes about world religion and directed the biodiversity program at the Smithsonian Institution. He is president of the Spiritual Paths Foundation http://www.spiritualpaths.net.
October 13th David Crow: Herbal Medicine and Spirituality
David Crow is one of the world’s foremost experts and leading speakers in the field of botanical medicine, natural health and ecological sustainability. He is a master herbalist, aromatherapist and acupuncturist with over 20 years experience and is an expert in the Ayurvedic and Chinese medical systems. He is a renowned author and the founding director of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures. www.floracopeia.com
October 20th David Whyte: The Three Marriages (a special KVMR Membership show)
David Whyte, Poet, Author, Lecturer holds a degree in Marine Zoology and has traveled extensively, including living and working as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions in the Andes, the Amazon and the Himalaya. He brings this wealth of experience to his poetry, lectures and workshops. www.davidwhyte.com
October 27th ShantiMayi: Spiritual Inspiration
ShantiMayi is a rare being. She is the only westerner, as well as the only woman ever to carry the grace of her lineage of exceptional Indian sages around the entire world. In her talks are forums of inspiration people have an opportunity to address the concerns, questions and discoveries that people bring to this precious time. ShantiMayi inspires us to enliven the wonderful potential within us all. www.shantimayi.com
November 3rd Mariana Caplan: Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path
Mariana is an author, anthropologist, and psychologist with a Ph.D. in Contemporary Spirituality. She attributes the majority of her education and inspiration to years of research and practice in the world’s great mystical traditions, and to studying, living, and adventuring in villages in India, Central and South America, and Europe. Her sole passion is a love of Truth and transformation. www.realspirituality.com
November 10th Patt Lind-Kyle: Heal Your Mind / Rewire Your Brain
Pat is a teacher, consultant, and innovator in the use of brain/mind research to teach people meditation and mental tools for transforming their lives and communities. She has a passion to question, explore, research and then create programs and methods that enhance the lives of others. www.brainchangebook.com
November 17th Michael Nagler: Search for a Nonviolent Future
Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program, and the founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. He is the author of The Search for a Nonviolent FutureOur Spiritual Crisis: Recovering Human Wisdom in a Time of Violence, The Upanishads and other books as well as many articles on peace and spirituality. www.michaelnagler.net
November 24th Vimala Rodgers: Handwriting for peace
Vimala Rodgers is the author of five books on the power of changing writing patterns, including Your Handwriting Can Change Your Life. She is an educator, handwriting specialist, and a zealous pioneer in mind/hand research. Her focus is the inherent spirituality of the letters of the alphabet and their effect upon the psyche. www.alphabeticalblessings.com
December 1st Linda Lantieri: Building Emotional Intelligence
Fulbright Scholar, keynote speaker, and internationally known expert in social and emotional learning and conflict resolution, Linda Lantieri, serves as Director of The Inner Resilience Program, co-founder of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) and is one of the founding board members of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
December 8th Richard Miller, PhD: Integrative Restoration for Awakening
Richard Miller, PhD is a clinical psychologist and contemporary spiritual teacher in the tradition of Nondual Yoga. Richard is the founding president and CEO of the Integrative Restoration Institute, co-founder of The International Association of Yoga Therapy and founding editor of the professional Journal of IAYT. He is the author of Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga. www.irest.us
Conversations is now broadcast every Tue at 1pm – Note new time. For more information go to www.AreWeListening.net.
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Scheduled Shows Conversations with Michael Stone
Tuesdays at 12:00pm PST
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Please check the Conversations website for upcoming shows.
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