SMC Alert
15/12/09
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 December update - Highlights from Copenhagen
Today, the high level segment of the conference kicks off, with press briefings from Ban-Ki Moon, Schwarzenegger and Al
Gore planned. Side events include announcements on biodiversity, deforestation, the latest on melting ice, and
scientists' case for steep emissions cuts.
See below for some of the SMC's picks for those covering the event.
The SMC has set up a COP15 resource page here.
Highlights from the programme:
Official events:
The high-level segment of COP15 will be opened on Tuesday, 15 December, at 5:30 p.m. in
plenary Tycho Brahe.
Statements from ministers/heads of governments will continue through 16 and 17 Dec.
Statement from New Zealand Climate Change Minister Nick Smith is scheduled for 17 Dec between 21:00 - 24:00 (~23:00
estimating from placement in line up)
Closing session - 18 Dec - more than 100 world leaders due to attend.
Press briefings (available to watch online on demand)
9.30 - 10:00 - IUCN: The costs of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing
Countries)
Asger Jorn room
11:00 - 11.30 - Drought monitoring for food security
The WMO Secretary-General and the WMO Chief agro-meteorologist will report on the outcome of an international expert
meeting on definitions and indices for drought. This work of international experts coordinated by WMO is essential for
improved drought monitoring and warnings as key components for promoting food security.
Press conference room
11.30 - Copenhagen Diagnosis briefing. Emissions cut of 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 needed for industrial countries
for 2°C limit. Authors of the climate report "The Copenhagen Diagnosis" including Professor Matthew England from the
UNSW discuss their findings.
Asger Jorn room
13:30: Side Event with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
Venue: Combined Asta Nielsen and Elvira Madigan rooms
13.30 - 14:00 - Sinking islands, the Pacific Voice - 1.5 to stay alive
Press conference room
18:30: Press conference by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Prime Minister Lars
Loekke Rasmussen of Denmark,
Press conference room
Side events (for those in Copenhagen)
All day: Climate Leaders Summit 2009 - The Climate Group. This Summit will bring together global CEOs, Premiers, Governors, Mayors and UN officials to
showcase ways of working together to secure a low-carbon future.
16:30 - 17:20: Side Event with Peace Nobel Prize Laureate Al Gore
Former Vice President Gore will discuss the the climate crisis and the need for action, the crucial role of the Summit,
and the role of the United States and other key countries.
Hans Christian Andersen room
13:00 - 14:30 - State-of-the-Art-Report: Melting Ice.
Melting Ice is a report commissioned by Al Gore and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jonas Gahr Stoere, on the
status of and future scenarios for the melting of ice in affected areas of the world. At this side-event you can meet
the scientists behind the report and hear them present main findings and conclusions.
Halfdan Rasmussen room
13:40 - 14:00 - Be Prepared: The Oceans in a Warmer World
Increased acidity, altered circulation patterns, sea level rise and warming put ocean ecosystems at great risk. Meg
Caldwell, Executive Director of the Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, will discuss these impacts so that
we can start planning now in order to be better prepared for the future.
cc Solutions Studio
20:00 - 21:30 - IUCN: Biodiversity in trouble: Ways forward in a changing climate
Severe ecosystem declines are predicted due to climate change and damage is already clearly apparent in coral reefs,
polar and high altitude habitats and for a wide range of species. This side event highlights recent scientific findings
and explores possible conservation solutions.
Niels Bohr room
Updates from the AusSMC:
A list of Australian scientists who are in Copenhagen has been compiled by the AusSMC. Please contact Nigel Kerby or
SMC(NZ) for more details.
ENDS