Saving the World - Live from Durban! Episode 11: Scandal before Stern

While the Greek Minister of Environment. Energy and Climate Change H.E. Mr George Papakonstantinou – incorrectly introduced as H.E. Mr George Papandreou (the former president of Greece) – was drawing parallels between Greece’s economic and the global climate crisis, H.E. Mr Todd Stern, Special Envoy for Climate Change in the US State Department, was patiently waiting for his time to speak.


With the US being a key player in international climate talks, the plenary has filled up again and for once it is quiet as Mr Stern steps onto the podium.

But before he can say his first sentence, a lady stands up in the back and delivers a passionate speech urging politicians to stop wasting time and find an agreement because

“I am scared for my future”

The plenary is very impressed by her courage, but the President of the UNFCCC sadly less so and coldly asks her to:

“Thank you. Please Stop.
Nobody is listening to you!”

But the lady manages to finish her speech before she gets escorted out of the applauding plenary.

Mr Todd tries to break the awkwardness with a joke and then delivers his speech. The same amount of words – sadly less meaning and sincerity than his brave unscheduled predecessor.