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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
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance.
A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky,
Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.
Dear Friends,
My apologies for not keeping up on entries in this blog. The best way to communicate with me is directly to michael@welloflight.com! I have not had the time or staff to keep up on all the social network technology. I am looking for someone to assist in this and hope to continue the quote of the day and other uses of the blog soon…
Since committing to cover the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference for KVMR and, yes there will be a daily blog and update, I have been very full in preparation. This is the most important diplomatic gathering in history and I feel it is important to keep people informed of its progress. So I will be reporting on the daily news and blogging on the well of light. Please be patient and stay tuned. For more on this go to http://arewelistening.net/schedule.htm#Copenhagen
Today’s Dance Church will be on Impermanence. Hope to see you there…
Love and Blessings,
michael
Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depth of their hearts where neither sin nor know/edge could reach, the core of reality, the person that each one is in the eyes of the divine. If only they could see themselves as they really are, if only we could see each other that way all the time, there would be no more need for war; for hatred, for greed, for cruelty. I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other.”
Thomas Merton
Can we see the beauty in all hearts? Perhaps the place to start is with our own and to trust that we are all Divine by Design. I invite you today to practice seeing the beauty and Divinity in everyone you encounter. Your work is the work of conscious evolution…
with Love and Gratitude,
michael
If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! The mind of the sage, being in repose,
becomes the mirror of the universe, the speculum of all creation.
Chuang Tzu
Coming back from the high Sierra’s I felt a overwhelmed by the busyness around me. Especially, when I went to the gym that first morning with 14 televisions going full blast, each with a different perspective on the world, except for one common element, they all wanted me to buy something. But, what my soul craves is to be in that still place I savor in nature… We all seem to be suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. Perhaps a walk in nature today would still our busy minds. If not that, let’s take three deep breaths together right now… Can you feel the heartbeat of the earth? She is breathing us. Let go and let her do her work.
Blessings,
Michael
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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.
