The stress of late-night negotiations and rushing between meeting rooms that can be more than half a kilometre apart is taking a toll on participants at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Emergency doctors at the Bella Centre say they treated around 110 cases a day last week but as the December
7-18 talks move to a climax, the tally has risen to around 150 daily. “We’ve had a couple of heart attacks and a case of stroke, who are now recovering in hospital,” Dr. Susanne Wammen, head of the Major Incident Command Centre for the Copenhagen area, told AFP.
Sarah versus Arnie
Two US celebrity Republican politicians — former Vice President candidate Sarah Palin and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — clashed at a workshop in Copenhagen over whether the climate was really changing. Arnie questioned Palin on her newspaper article in which she questioned the infamous climategate scandal about alleged leaked emails of scientists. “Is she really interested in this subject or is she interested in her career and in winning the nomination (for president)?” the Hollywood star said. Palin fired back on Facebook: “Why is Governor Schwarzenegger pushing for the same sorts of policies in Copenhagen that have helped drive his state into record deficits and unemployment?”
Climate bashes
There’s more to the Copenhagen summit than negotiations. After hours, the delegates let their hair down to party in nightclubs. Key negotiators also come to partake of the fun after hectic parleys.