MNN - Mother Nature Network

It appears that the powers that be at the Bella Center are trying to slap a Hollywood ending onto the end of the monotonous stalemate that is COP15.

 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi shocked the world by announcing an accord with France in support of the recently released LCA (Long-term Cooperation Agreement). Many African leaders were outraged that French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Zenawi claimed to “speak for Africa” when in fact the LCA draft dismisses G77 demands for a more ambitious CO2 target of 350 PPM.

 

This announcement came on the heels of a phone meeting between President Obama and Zenawi causing some to cry “conspiracy."

 

There is no doubt that tomorrow will be filled with high drama as the African nations revolt against this move and (rumor has it) walk out in conjunction with a massive demonstration outside the Bella Center.

 

Also tomorrow Bolivian President Evo Morales is arriving, and I would hazard a guess he will be throwing his support behind stricter CO2 targets and aggressive funding for sustainable development in the southern hemisphere. As Latin American’s most charismatic leader, Evo packs a punch. And it also should be noted that he wields another political instrument ... lithium.

 

Bolivia has more than 50 percent of the world’s supply of lithium oxide, a key to growing the low-carbon economy of the future.