Here's one reporter's behind-the-scenes dispatch from U.N. climate change talks
As world leaders convene in Paris for the latest round of United Nations climate change talks, New York Times energy reporter Coral Davenport shared an inside look Monday at what the marathon negotiation sessions are like. She describes the experience as "the most physically grueling work you can do in a suit," and has learned to bring along a case of Clif bars, hand warmers (in case of long security lines outside), and a sleeping bag.
Here's what she said of the 2014 summit in Lima, Peru:
Davenport noted that although French President François Hollande is setting tight deadlines in the hopes of avoiding any spillover from the talks, the government booked the convention center for a couple of extra days. After all, in 23 years of annual talks, they've never ended on time, according to Davenport.
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"Much like college students and the United States Congress, United Nations negotiators are notorious for leaving everything to the last minute," she wrote.
Read more about Davenport's experiences here.
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Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
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