11 Dec 2009: Today's Democracy Now!

Rich-Poor, North-South Divide Marks COP15's Opening Week
As debates between rich and poor nations over emission cuts and funding continue on this fifth day of the COP15 climate summit here in Copenhagen, we begin with an overview of the week’s developments. The rich countries have proposed a climate fund of $10 billion a year from 2010 to 2012 to help developing countries adapt to climate change. Poor countries say that is too little. We hear from the climate negotiators from India, China, and Association of Small Island States, and get analysis from Kate Horner of Friends of the Earth.

Author & Journalist Naomi Klein: Fate of Planet Rests on Mass Movement for Climate Justice
Hundreds of activists from across the globe are gathering every day in downtown Copenhagen for the people’s climate summit, the Klimaforum. On Thursday night, Shock Doctrine author and journalist Naomi Klein addressed a packed hall at a panel on ecological debt and climate justice.

Ahead of Major Climate Protests, a Rare Glimpse at Activist Preparations in Copenhagen
Here in Copenhagen, tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in a march Saturday protesting the failure of world leaders to address the climate crisis. Saturday’s march is just one of a series of major demonstrations scheduled over the week. Activists from around Europe and the world are flooding into Copenhagen. Meanwhile, the Danish police have launched its largest security effort. Last night, Democracy Now! got a rare tour inside several of the key convergent spaces where protest organizers are preparing for the demonstrations.

"Keep the Oil in the Soil": Ecuador Seeks Money to Keep Untapped Oil Resources Underground
As delegates discuss various ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our next guest has a simple message: keep untapped oil in the ground. Ivonne Yanez is an environmental activist from Ecuador, one of the larger oil producing countries in Latin America. Ecuador is believed to be sitting on an oil reserve of hundreds of millions of barrels. But the oil is located in the Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Ecuador has launched a unique campaign to have the international community compensate the country in exchange for keeping the oil in the ground.

Headlines

US Criticized for Rejecting Climate Reparations
Study: Ocean Acidification to Rise Absent Emissions Cuts
Thousands Protest Obama Outside Nobel Ceremony
Report: Blackwater Played Key Role in Rendition, Iraq-Afghanistan Raids
Pakistan: Jailed US Citizens Sought to Join Militant Groups
Ecuador: US Aided Colombia in 2008 Attack
Egypt Builds New Border Wall on Gaza Border
Hunger-Striking Western Sahara Activist Urges US Support
Pentagon Declared in Contempt of Court in Gitmo Case
Senate Bill Permits Insurers to Limit Medical Coverage
US, Mining Giant Reach $1.79B Environmental Settlement