14 December 2009 second post

News from the inside

The posturing from different nations and power blocs mean than it is gossip rather than fact which is determining the mood here in the Bella Centre. The corridors are filled innuendo to which we add our own rumours. I overheard a Cameroonian woman - of Precious Ramotswe proportions - on the train into work (yes, into week two, it feel like commuting to the office) describing how she felt there wouldn't be an agreement because of the developed and emerging countries' unwillingness to support the poorest of the poor.  I spread this bit of gossip. Then Jennie heard rumours that UNEP had cancelled their Seal-the-Deal event because they felt a useful deal was so far from the table  - we passed on this bit of 'news'.  Later in the morning a group of Africans arranged an impromptu gathering near the Media Centre and started chanting, lending weight to the train rumour.

Pooran Desai
One Planet Communities Technical Director
and Co-Founder of BioRegional