GLASGOW (SCOTLAND) -- The climate talks are in overtime. Negotiators have pushed past Friday's official end. The new draft text, which was released Saturday morning, showed that the developed and fossil fuel-producing nations continue to stand in the way of taking necessary action.
It's quite a mind-boggling experience to be inside these talks. It's evident how important these talks are to some people in the halls. Although there were some side agreements made at the Glasgow talks, such as a commitment by a few first-mover countries to stop oil and gas production and more solid agreements on clean cars and methane, the draft text failed to fulfill its promises to money and to address the urgent need for an end to fossil fuel use. It looks like Glasgow will be branded as yet another series of talks that is unlikely to deliver the world's true needs.
A contingent of civil society watchers with access to the talks staged an occupation on Friday. They met with activists to protest the conditions in the negotiating rooms. This powerful statement was also intended to shake the world out of its stupor and give a damn.
Fossil fuel firms have been laser-focused to influence the talks and sneaked in more delegates than any of the largest country delegations. If you want to see the future of the countries that have caused the most damage to the climate, activists say it is crucial for more people to engage and hold governments responsible.
