This website is the concept of Carolyn Chase and myself, Chris Klein. Both of us have been managing nonprofit environmental organizations for many years, and are attending the COP15 as delegates of the Sierra Club.

Early on we grappled with the question: as the representative of an NGO (non-governmental organization), attending the UN climate treaty negotiations for the first time, what could we do that would make the most difference. Obviously, we could attend sessions – UN and NGO – and demonstrations, and try to influence the US negotiating team.

But it has become clear to us that politicians in the United States will not take action unless the people demand that they do. And, right now, the political will to create that demand is not present. For goodness sakes, the popular press still gives voice to people who deny that climate change is real!

So we decided that what we can do that will make the most difference is to bring as many Amercans as possible into the climate change conversation; and to put a human face on the movement addressing climate change.

The technical and political issues are many and complex; others in the world press will deal with that. What we want to do is introduce our countrymen to the people who are going to Copenhagen – people from all over the world – who were committed enough to travel (often thousands of miles at their own expense) to do whatever they can that might help.

We will invite them to tell their stories to our video camera. And we will put their stories here for you to share.

Chris Klein
December 4, 2009

Carolyn Chase

Carolyn D. Chase

Carolyn is a founder and CEO of San Diego EarthWorks, and a founder of Move San Diego. San Diego EarthWorks, a non-profit corporation, is primarily known as the host of the annual EarthFair in San Diego, the country's largest annual free environmental fair and Earth Day Celebration. Move San Diego is also a non-proft corporation, dedicated to improving the sustainability and performance of regional transportation investments.

Carolyn is a life member of the Sierra Club, and Chair of the San Diego Chapter's Political Committee. She served as a Planning Commissioner for five years for the City of San Diego, and is a past appointee for other City and regional volunteer committees including the Waste Management Advisory Board, Recycling Task Force, Regional Transportation Plan Citizen's Advisory Committee and the County General Plan Update Interest Committee.

Carolyn lives in San Diego, California with her husband Chris Klein, three cats and Dozey the dog. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Computer Science. You may email her at cdc@earthdayweb.org.

Chris Klein

Chris in San Diego...

and a more likely appearance in Copenhagen

Chris is a founder, CFO and general manager of San Diego EarthWorks, a volunteer-based non-profit best known as the host of the annual EarthFair in San Diego, the country's largest annual free environmental fair and Earth Day Celebration. In 2010, EarthWorks will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

In his previous life, Mr. Klein co-founded a computer software firm, and for 5 years published the San Diego Earth Times, a monthly reader of the environment and quality of life.

Chris is a life-time resident of San Diego, California. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a BA in Mathematics and Psychology. Chris can be reached at chris@earthdayweb.org.