Denmark rolls out green carpet for climate summit

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – From electric cars to carbon-neutral beer, Denmark is putting on a green display for more than 100 government leaders and up to 45,000 participants in what is probably the largest environmental meeting the world has ever seen. At the city hall square, a giant inflatable ball representing the earth puts the spotlight on "Hopenhagen Live," the local government’s vision of Copenhagen as a city of hope in achieving the global goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities that have caused negative climate impacts. Sleek sports cars powered by electricity from wind farms catch admiring glances from pedestrians, many of them taking the chance to pose for pictures. Among the vehicles on display is the Tesla Roadster, described in the city website as the world’s fastest electric car.

Adventure pavilions around the square provide plenty of environment-friendly ideas such as holiday gifts from for trash, including a can of Mega sardines from the Philippines that has been recycled into a plant box. Visitors who are feeling cold can warm themselves up by pedaling the stationary bicycles below a Christmas tree, the energy generated by their exertion lighting up the lights in the holiday display. A few blocks away, an outdoor photo exhibition in the artistic hub Kongens Nytorv square displays huge pictures of "100 places to remember before they disappear" from various locales across the world. From the orangutans in the tropical rainforests of Borneo to the undulating sediments in the vast Amazon River, armchair travelers can feast their eyes on natural wonders that are threatened by changing weather patterns. Ever since it launched its campaign to host this year’s landmark climate conference, which is expected to seal an agreement on new carbon emission targets after the first period of binding commitments from rich countries expires in 2012, Denmark has made its eco-friendly solutions to environmental problems as one of its selling points. While many industrialized countries are worrying about the potential negative impact of carbon cuts that fuel their economy, Denmark prides itself in having increased its economic activities by 45 per cent while reducing its emissions by more than 13 per cent from 1990 to 2007. "Striking an ambitious deal in Copenhagen will definitely be not easy. In a setting where 193 parties need to agree, the list of things that can go wrong has no end. However, I believe it is still doable," says Danish Environment Minister Connie Hedegaard, former president of the ongoing climate conference who resigned after a series of protests erupted at the Danish capital. For many Danes, who are known to rival the Dutch in using bicycles as a major form of transport, discovering new ways of growing economically with less pollution seems to be a national passion. Green architecture is a growing trend, with exhibits on sustainable lifestyles and designs that do not compromise aesthetics and comfort displayed in various venues. For thirsty delegates, there is even carbon neutral beer called Globe Ale from a brewery that has reduced its energy consumption in producing one of the world’s favorite drinks. “We are convinced that there is a market for organic and carbon neutral beer," a press release from Nørrebro Bryghus quotes CEO Hans Henrik Gram as saying, adding that “70 per cent of the Danish population wish to reduce their carbon emissions." “We have therefore chosen to launch the carbon neutral beer Globe Ale partly to emphasiZe our own initiatives with regard to the climate, but also to provide the consumers with an opportunity to make an active and responsible choice – also in their choice of beer," he adds. That should go well with the turkey and tomato sandwich with 65 per cent organic ingredients (it says so on the label) sold at the climate kitchens inside the busy halls of Bella Center, the venue of climate conference. – SD, GMANews.TV