Conversations

On the first leg of my flight, SFO to Chicago, my seatmate is a woman who has just lost her mother. She is on the way to the burial and wearing her father's rosary as a necklace. She expresses her pride and gratitude that a California elected official is going to the climate negotiations to represent her. She says a prayer for me and we wish each other well.

Chicago to London, I am with a California businessman. He has an engineering and technical background but relays to me that global warming is one of the greatest hoaxes yet perpetrated. He's sure of this as he's attended what's been portrayed to him as scientific lectures. We discuss US reliance on imported fossil fuels and our declining status as the global technology leader. I ask him if those alone are reasons enough for US to lead the transition to the low carbon economy. He's still a skeptic but more open.

Staff to the foreign minister of the Solomon Islands is my seat mate on the final flight to Copenhagen. He tells me about the loss of land his islands are already experiencing due to sea level rise. His country is deeply concerned and frustrated by the lack of action. Learning I am part of California's government he excitedly asks me if I know "Arnold" and whether I can arrange a photo. He expects the Terminator to be the largest man he's ever met. We disucss the small island nations- all the pacific island countries whose very existence are at great risk. His minister fervently hopes that this Copenhagen COP ends with an agreement and not just platitudes.

Our other seat mate is a Brit who works for the airlines. He's not attending the negotiations but he's very glad that we are and tells us to do the right thing out of concern for his children. He then regales us with stories about his first visit the the US- Tampa, Florida. He and his wife decided to take an early morning walk only to be stopped by police who told them "nobody walks in America" and that if they were really insistent on taking a walk the officer would drive them to the mall. Solomon Islands and I laughed and I reflected on how that story alone tells volumes about why we Americans have arguably the largest carbon footprint.

I arrive in Copenhagen and am greeted by volunteers who eagerly inform us that all public transit is free to us COP attendees. I hop on the train which is conveniently connected to the airport and ride 2 stations to downtown where it is a brief walk to hotel where we state leaders are staying.