Surprise encounter with Pelosi brightens an otherwise grim day

written by Caitlin Grey

Tonight, myself and some other Sierra Student Coalition delegates found ourselves at the Blue Green Alliance reception. The Blue Green Alliance is an organization that works to unite the interests of labor unions and environmental organizations such as Sierra Club. Little did I know that the night would result in a series of events that would lead to breaking my fast, being severely underdressed, and meeting Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other important congresspeople!

All today many of our delegates were fasting for climate justice, like the many people who have been for dozens of days until a fair, ambitious, and binding treaty is passed. Upon arrival to this event, our hungry bellies were introduced to a table of free food and hors d’houvres, which after almost 20 hours of fasting, we fell victim to.

As we took off our winterwear at coatcheck, which revealed our array of highly inappropriate sweatshirts and jeans, we realized that everyone around us was in suits and dresses. We felt very awkward, and we were about to leave when…

Speaker Nancy Pelosi mingles at the Blue Green Alliance Reception

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was announced to arrive, along with many other high level US delegates such as New York congressman Charles B. Rangell, the authors of the ACES bill, California Congressman Henry Waxman and Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey, and Minnesota State Representative Kate Knuth. We also got to see Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope and Arctic Explorer and environmental activist Will Steger.

Pelosi socializes with labor and environment leaders

Seeing all of these people, shaking their hands, and meeting the leaders that our futures depend on, gave a new tone of hope to the day. After the NGO’s have been almost completely cut off from the process, hope and aspiration for a good treaty has almost seemed to die in this city. Today we went to “the people’s conference” KlimaForum, where hundreds of activists who cannot get into the Bella Center hang out and attend different talks and meetings. Although there was a pleasant and welcoming vibe at this place, it was very sad to see all of the people who were being cut out of the process and not being listened to dwelling around the place with a very somber tone.

A concerned citizen at Klima Forum

Pelosi’s speech lightened my mood significantly. This whole process has been an emotional rollercoaster for my future. Throughout the two weeks I have had moments of intense hope and excitement and also others of severe disappointment and sadness. Today was definitely a low, until Pelosi arrived and reasserted Obama’s stance on the issue. As the conference dies down, the process seems to prove itself useless, and many contributors travel home, I leave tomorrow with a new hope and an everlasting desire for justice for all.