15 December update - Highlights from Copenhagen

Tuesday, 15 December 2009, 5:22 pm
Press Release: Science Media Centre

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.
DGI Byen Hotel

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

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