Stormy times ahead
30 November 2005

The uncertain weather continues - both outside and inside the conference hall.

Outside the temperature is rising, from the cool -5 °C when we arrived to the balmy 13 °C it is today - with rain sweeping in from the south west.

Delegates make their feelings plain about the US administrations position
Delegates make their
feelings plain about the
US administration's position

Highly appropriate really in view of the stormy attitude of the American delegation which remains intent on trying to block progress.

A lot of countries are still hoping that they can bring the US on board - but have no idea how. Rumours abound about the position of the EU - which way will they jump? Stand firm or wobble? We shall see.

A picture in the papers

The talks are not yet high profile on Canadian television which naturally is obsessed with the downfall of the government and coming election (see yesterday's report).

However, Friends of the Earth is already getting coverage. We have been quoted in the national media and our first picture appeared in Montreal's Sunday Gazette, showing us assembling one of the panels for our Climate Mosaic.

A successful installation

And the Climate Mosaic is up! Despite driving rain, our hardy events team have succeeded in erecting a wall made up of hundreds of painted tiles which stretches across the front of the conference centre.

Climate mosaic

The wall has even successfully passed inspection by Montreal's Fire Department. We're launching it tomorrow. Watch this space!

It's not all work

The international team continues to work all hours as conference sessions, meetings and contact groups run into the evening and NGOs work late to catch up, exchange info and prepare lobbying tactics.

But there was still time to celebrate our Brazilian colleague's birthday yesterday. Happy birthday Caroline!

Katie Elliott in Montreal, Canada Joanna Watson in Montreal, CanadaKatie Elliott and Joanna Watson, our Climate Campaigners are sending daily updates direct from the COP 11 talks in Canada.

Climate mosaic

© Katie Elliot/Joanna Watson/Friends of the Earth

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