An IPL Nun Blogs From Bali: Al Gore Speaks!

Hello to all,

Greetings from Bali on this, the final day of the 2007 UNFCCC.

We are all waiting to see what the final rush in deliberations will produce.

Last evening, Al Gore spoke to a more than capacity crowd in the Plenary Hall. He did not hold back and strongly criticized the US Government for their lack of cooperation: "My own country is responsible for obstructing the process here in Bali." Stating that we are at a time of great need, he said, "you need to act with certainty. . .and move forward in spite of the obstacle."

He suggested that the framers of the final papers leave a blank space in the document and write around it adding a footnote explaining the space! Needless to say he received a spontaneous round of applause.

Actually, I felt that Mr. Gore spoke with such heart last night. He said over and over that the issue of climate change and our response is a moral issue, and that this requires a shift in our thinking and in our hearts.

He emphasized:

"We must remember that WE ARE ONE. We have the capacity to strip away the externals and to get to the core...we can and will rise up to meet the central crisis.'"

What is the spark that will set aflame our moral imagination and lead us in designing a new future for our common EARTH HOME?

I hope to have more to share later in the day. Until then, thank you for your commitment to a more sustainable EARTH COMMUNITY.

In solidarity,

Sr. Pat Nagle, IHM

N.B. I cannot locate right now my exact notes from a side event I attended yesterday sponsored by the IPCC and the IEA (Internattional Agency). In the report from the latter organization, strong evidence is supported on energy efficiency as a major reductor of CO2 emissions. The presenter stated that we cannot emphasize enough the importance of energy conservation measures....they DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! So, gratitude to each IPL organization and your efforts to encourage energy conservation in your communities of faith.