The upcoming COP15 meeting in Denmark—so named because it is the 15th such international gathering of the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—is, many believe, the world’s last chance to take decisive multi-lateral action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions substantially enough to ward off cataclysmic climate change.

Negotiators from all over the globe hope to come to terms on a binding agreement regarding emissions reductions that both developed and developing nations can agree to. The stakes are high: This conference represents the final step in negotiations years in the making — and the results could chart a course toward success or failure in human efforts to control the carbon beast we set free in the industrial revolution.

To coincide with the meeting their are many events taking place around the world to put pressure on governments to take decisive action.

In Kilkenny we are screening the movie ‘Home‘

In Dublin, Stop Climate Chaos, are organising ‘The Wave‘.

and on Mount Leinster a candle lit vigil is planned fo Dec 12th.

One minute to save the world is a fantastic collection of short 1 minute films submitted over the previous weeks to raise awareness of the forthcoming climate change summit. We came across the website thanks to Cathy Fitzgerald who writes the Art and Ecology Notebook blog and who submitted her own film called “Once I counted birds”.

The films are from all over the world and produced by amateurs, professionals, children and adults alike. What strikes me about those that I have watched is the depth of human emotion, primarily sadness, for what is happening to our planet home. Below are two of the films. The winning entry called “My Paper Boat” and Cathy’s.

12 December 2009 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Nine Stones carpark, Mt. Leinster

To coincide with the Copenhagen Climate summit and raise awareness about the 350 campaign Future Proof supporter Cathy Fitzgerald and her partner, Martin, are organising a torch lit vigil on Mt. Leinster on 12th December.

Mt. Leinster is one of Ireland’s most prominent Mountains on the Carlow/Wexford border. The vigil will begin at the Nine Stones carpark and will be torch lit. Weather permitting lanterns will be released to show Ireland’s support for ensuring our leaders make the best new deal for a legally binding, international, Climate Change policy, for us all.

What to bring: torches, matches, cameras, warm clothing, wet gear, boots and a smile

Event organiser: Martin Lyttle, 0876017051 (some volunteers also needed)

See more event details here on the 350.org website.

350.org aims to raise awareness of the importance of reducing the level of CO2 in the atmosphere to below 350 parts per million. We are already well above this at 387ppm. From the end of the last ice age to just before the industrial revolution the CO2 level was stable at 270-280ppm, a period of 12,000 years.

During this time a relatively stable climate enabled our civilisation to develop to where it is at today. Yet, in only 150 years we have increased the CO2 concentration by almost 1/3 and it is continuing to increase at around 2ppm per year. The science is becoming clear that due to the rapid acceleration of arctic ice melt and the increasing frequency of severe weather events we need to reduce our emissions and remove excess CO2 in the atmosphere.

Saturday 5th December, 12pm, Customs House Quay, Dublin

On Saturday 5 December 2009, just ahead of the crucial UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, thousands of people from all walks of life will flood the streets of Dublin to demonstrate their support for a fair and safe climate future for all.

The Wave, organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, will show mass support for a better, low carbon future for Ireland and the world.

It is a call to the Irish Government to show leadership at Copenhagen. We want them to PROTECT THE POOREST and ACT NOW to inspire the deal the world needs.

The Wave is part of a global series of public actions calling on world leaders to support developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change now and in the future. The Irish Wave will call on our government to take urgent action to secure a fair international deal to stop global warming exceeding the danger threshold of 2°C.

Join The Wave! – The Ireland’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change.

Today’s industrial food system is highly vulnerable to peak oil and a major contributor to global warming. In addition, what we eat, how it is produced and where it comes from causes enormous damage to the environment and to communities around the world.

Ironically, changes to our food systems are the quickest way to lower emissions, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, restore natural eco-systems and reconnect us with our communities and our environment.

This slide show explores this paradox and was itself inspired by a presentation on Food Security by Bruce Darrell of Feasta at the recent New Emergency Conference.