By Christine Heinrichs
Dr. Rajenda Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007, made the effort to fit SEJ into his schedule, between Berlin and Spain. His willingness to speak to us reflects the impact that our work can have.
His solid presentation included the facts and figures IPCC assembled to make its case and produce the "best of science and the approval and acceptance of governments," he said.
That diplomatic feat must have required great powers of persuasion.
He recounted the experience of working through the night to get agreement on every word of the summary, then struggling through the following day on the wording of the full report. Losing patience, he assured the assembled group that he was prepared to endure another 40 hours without sleep, but he intended to continue working to reach agreement on the complete report. The group took a 15-minute break. They re-convened and proceeded to adopt the final wording.
"Some countries may have conspired to show down the approval," he said. declining to name names.
Having such a distinguished international leader address the conference made me reflect on the prominence of our organization. I'm so grateful to be part of this enterprise.
Comments