Photos from COP21, December 3-13, 2016
DECEMBER, 2015
It was very gratifying to be in Paris during COP21. Although the city and her citizens were traumatized by the terrorist attacks, the French rallied with courage and joie de vivre and hosted many exciting, stimulating and important events. I was fortunate to spend a good deal of time at the well organized Green Zone in Le Bourget, at the bohemian and comfortable writer and journalist retreat PlacetoB near Gare du Nord, and at the incredibly politically active Climate Action Zone. These short blog entries includes a few reflections and lots of great photos.
Homage for the victims of the Paris attacks at Place de la Republic
Homage # 2 for the victims of the Paris attacks at Place de la Republic
Place de la Republic at night, December, 2015
Tributes at Place de la Republic
A weapons store in Paris not too far from Gare de Nord. So odd to see after the attacks...
Another view of the weapons store against a Parisian backdrop.
People at work at PlacetoB after a long day.
A panel discussion at PlacetoB
Announcement of a "solutions" exhibit at the Gran Palais. This exhibit received well deserved criticism by climate activists for its corporate approach. It was bland, self-promoting and unimaginative - and palliative. No, corporations won't save us from climate change.
Outside the exhibit activists gathered to support a lightpole climber shouting anti-corporate slogans.
While others went to Le Bourget to be delegates or observers at COP21.
Inside the "Green Zone", a space for public events adjacent to the Delegate Hall, occasional protests would spring up. This was a mock funeral for Ecuadoreans. Ice and pallbearers.
On the next day in the Champ de Mars, indigenous people gathered to speak from the heart about the plight of the earth and her creatures.
Another version of activism.
The French have a sense of humor. I found this tucked away on a side street near the Sorbonne.
The famous ice show was a big hit and the fragments of glaciers melted as COP21 wore down. The Artist in Charge of the Installation was Olafur Eliasson.
The blue hues are characteristics of glaciated ice.
On Sunday, December 13, as the Delegates finished the final agreement, thousands of people took to the streets all over Paris in celebration and protest. This photo was taken near the Arc de Triomphe on the Avenue de la Grande Armee.
More celebration.
And more.
Red umbrellas as a symbol of continued resistance.
Santa Clause always comes to climate talks. Where will he go when the ice is gone?
