In Paris, Wednesday, Dec 3, 2015—Blog Post 2
Sr. Joan Brown,osf
Executive Director, NMIPL
After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Aiport at 9:30 am, Sr. Odile of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary community graciously met me and we went to their convent in Southern Paris and then off to the People’s Climate Conference for the rest of the day.
Both the People’s Conference and the official COP are right next to one another in the northern part of Paris. How glorious that there were not lines to maneuver and I soon had my official badge and then off to the People’s Conference for the rest of the day. I will be an official observer the second week of COP under the Franciscan International badge.
Inside the COP various working groups are very busy in order to meet a deadline of submitting their proposals, as requested by Christina Figueroa by Friday. In opening remarks Christina Figuera said that the world is at a turning point and must begin a new path to try to meet the 2 degree limit.
Governments need to recognize that national plans submitted by some 183 countries are a beginning place and require accountability being set in place; however, with these plans the calculations ae that there will still be a 2.7-3.5 degree celsius rise which is well above the sought after 2 degree and 1.5 degree that some civil society members would like.
She noted that a path must be made to go lower and that strong financial measures and accountability to plans are required. Civil society needs to be aware of the reality and yet continue to work for progress. Paris is a process and the work of civil society during and after Paris is increasingly important. I believe the role of faith traditions and people of conscience have a particular role to play. So many are suffering and we are called to be the difference in what Pope Francis calls a “World of Indifference.”
My day included an interfaith prayer at the end led by women with colleagues from Texas Interfaith Power and Light and others. We were Jewish, Protestant, Catholic and Unitarians. On the way back to my lovely abode with the Missionary sisters of Mary we saw the beautiful lights of the city of Paris and prayed for peace and well-being in this city of Lights.
Sr. Joan Brown,osf
Executive Director, NMIPL
After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Aiport at 9:30 am, Sr. Odile of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary community graciously met me and we went to their convent in Southern Paris and then off to the People’s Climate Conference for the rest of the day.
Both the People’s Conference and the official COP are right next to one another in the northern part of Paris. How glorious that there were not lines to maneuver and I soon had my official badge and then off to the People’s Conference for the rest of the day. I will be an official observer the second week of COP under the Franciscan International badge.
Inside the COP various working groups are very busy in order to meet a deadline of submitting their proposals, as requested by Christina Figueroa by Friday. In opening remarks Christina Figuera said that the world is at a turning point and must begin a new path to try to meet the 2 degree limit.
Governments need to recognize that national plans submitted by some 183 countries are a beginning place and require accountability being set in place; however, with these plans the calculations ae that there will still be a 2.7-3.5 degree celsius rise which is well above the sought after 2 degree and 1.5 degree that some civil society members would like.
She noted that a path must be made to go lower and that strong financial measures and accountability to plans are required. Civil society needs to be aware of the reality and yet continue to work for progress. Paris is a process and the work of civil society during and after Paris is increasingly important. I believe the role of faith traditions and people of conscience have a particular role to play. So many are suffering and we are called to be the difference in what Pope Francis calls a “World of Indifference.”
My day included an interfaith prayer at the end led by women with colleagues from Texas Interfaith Power and Light and others. We were Jewish, Protestant, Catholic and Unitarians. On the way back to my lovely abode with the Missionary sisters of Mary we saw the beautiful lights of the city of Paris and prayed for peace and well-being in this city of Lights.