Daily Dispatch from Paris
COP21 Day 2 Recap: Tuesday, December 1st, 2015
Russia warms to climate change, Obama’s remarks before heading home, American businesses demand climate action in the Wall Street Journal, Street Art at the Eiffel
RUSSIA WARMS TO CLIMATE CHANGE
As the 4th largest producer of greenhouse gas pollution, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia appears to finally have warmed to the issue of climate change, stating that it “has become one of the gravest challenges humanity is facing.” His comments today were a change in tune from years of publicly mocking the issue. “Russia,“ he said, “has been contributing actively to addressing global warming. Our country is taking the lead.”
Read more in the NY Times >
PRESIDENT OBAMA PREPARES TO RETURN HOME
“I actually think we’re going to solve this problem,“ says President Obama at a press conference on the second day of the summit before heading back to the US. However, the American President will face challenges back home in Washington, where Republican leaders are planning to send a signal to negotiators gathered in Paris that Congress does not support the president’s climate change policies.
AMERICAN BUSINESSES DEMAND CLIMATE ACTION
Readers of the Wall Street Journal woke up today to a full-page ad featuring more than 100 companies – with Ideal Energy and nearly 40 additional E2 member companies asking world leaders to take strong action in Paris to address climate change for the good of the economy and the good of the environment. Along with E2, several business and environmental groups also were involved in this effort led by the World Wildlife Fund.
As a growing company navigating the changing political tides surrounding carbon policy, Ideal Energy relies on organizations like E2 to assist us in having a political voice and advocate policies that are both good for the economy and the environment.
EARTH FOCUS: A STREET ART INSTALLATION
Photo:SETE / E.Livinec
During COP21 Shepard Fairey unveiled his latest installation, “Earth Crisis.” Located at the Eiffel Tower, a large sphere is suspended between the first and second floors. The installation is meant to draw attention to the global environmental crisis during the COP21 events.
“My political stance on protecting the planet is driven by my concern for the quality of life for future generations. I’m not an alarmist, but I do think people need to understand that we are facing an earth crisis. I think it is exciting that the globe provides different experiences for the viewer from a distance and up close while living in the heart of the Eiffel Tower. I hope the Earth Crisis Globe appeals visually but also generates a needed conversation about the fate of our planet.”
– Shepard Fairey
