United Nations Radio

Bella Center

Out of the 45,000 thousand people, who have applied to attend the climate conference in Copenhagen, many represent non-governmental organizations. Our reporter Donn Bobb caught up with a couple of them to hear about their concerns.

NARR: As negotiations continue in the Bella centre with the aim of reaching a climate agreement, representatives of non-governmental organizations and civil society are turning up the heat of another kind on governments. Inside the cavernous centre, Tharlotte Mijeon of the French Network for Nuclear Phase-Out is leading a quiet call for thousands of signatures to send a message that nuclear power has no place in a climate friendly world.

"We are saying here to all the people present that nuclear power is not climate friendly and that it should be excluded from the climate agreement.
Q: What kind of energy are you asking since nuclear power shouldn't be used?
First of all, we think that we should focus more on energy efficiency in developed countries where there's a lot to do and then we think we should rely on renewable energy such as wind, solar power, wood and everything to supply energy.
Q: I notice folks are signing the board. They are supporting you or what?
Yes, they are supporting us and there are several members of European parliaments, members of national parliaments from Denmark, from the UK, from Kazakhstan even and also VIPs from all over the world, leaders of some movements, for example from Via Campesina.
SFX demonstration: "Reclaim power!"

NARR: And then this reporter braved the elements going outside the Bella centre in 24 F degree temperature, where it is snowing lightly and hundreds of NGO's barred from entry due to overcrowding in the centre, are making their voices heard.
Warmly dressed and wearing a smile to match, Radoslava is from Bulgaria representing the Supreme Master Ching Hai Association.

"We are giving bags with information about climate change and the fastest solution which is organic vegan diet. Why? Because so many reports were issued already and all the leading scientists are telling that animal agriculture is very bad for the planet, because animal agriculture is responsible for more than 50% of all greenhouse emissions. This is much more than the whole transportation sector even.

Q: So you're saying that's the way to go?
Yeah that's it.

Q: What proof is there?

If you go and seek for the UN report "Livestock Long Shadow", and the Lord Stern report, which was issued this year, in October, I think, and the World Watch Institute report from November/December 2009, they all reveal that animal agriculture is very, very harmful to the planet because of the huge quantity of rain forest that are cut down for planting crops, for feeding animals, wasting water resources, wasting food resources. We can even solve world problems like hunger and shortages of water and everything.

NARR: Not only are they giving away literature, they're offering bags with vegan food, just in case you might want to change that diet. This is Donn Bobb for United Nations Radio in Copenhagen.

Producer: Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio in Copenhagen
Duration: 3'08"