The realities of a global negotiation!
I met today Guatemala's Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, just back from meetings in Bonn that form part of the run-up to the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December. We discussed the incredible challenge that Copenhagen presents. Climate change requires a global response and a global agreement... that is currently in the form of some 200 pages of text! When I think of the negotiations I have seen among EU or NATO members (less than 30 countries each), the idea is mind-boggling! But so I think it will remain all the more important to hold onto the big picture and the urgency with which the world has to react to its changing environment.
(For a helping hand to understand Copenhagen, see the "beginners´ guide" on the left hand side of www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk - it's very handy.)
On the green theme, a colleague is currently visiting from our embassy in Costa Rica to help us reach our goal of being a carbon neutral embassy by 2011. Here are some of her practical tips that instantly save energy and money!
- Turn off your computer screen when you're not using it. I had no idea that the screen uses 10 times more energy than the computer itself!
- Don't leave your phone on charge overnight. It uses way more energy than the phone needs.
- Don't leave your office coffee machine on all day - put the coffee in a thermos instead. It tastes loads better and doesn't zap energy all day.
- You've heard it stacks of times before but don't your leave your television on standby!!!
We'll get the full list up on our website (www.ukinguatemala.fco.gov.uk) alongside some ideas for a Green Christmas.
Lastly, we have two new faces in the Embassy... David McNaught has now taken over from Karen as Deputy Head of Mission. He arrives with his wife Apsara who is also a member of the Foreign Office. Her job is based in London but she is doing it remotely from here. The wonders of modern technology!
David and Apsara...straight to work!!
Rebeca from our team and Kate from British Embassy Costa Rica compare carbon footprints
Posted at 18:59 18 August 2009 by Julie Chappell | Comments[0]
- Share this with:
-
-
-
-
-