Today, on my way into Dubai’s Expo Center, the day when the action starts to happen, the parties begin to convene and the massive machine of the UN is fully in place, I had a mini-”aha” moment as I sought to reconcile my impressions as a first time COP attendee: awesome and heartbreaking. The metaphor that struck me was quite simply a visceral image of being in a space where all of the systems we say we would like to change are eerily mirrored back at all of us.

Entering the Blue Zone–the space where the parties are supposed to meet, negotiate and come to a consensus on the future of our planet is a mirror of a world order that continues to perpetuate the problems of iniquity we face, and why it is so very difficult to come to a clear path forward. While the Blue Zone is the place where it all happens, the reality is that so many of the negotiations and decisions are conducted behind closed doors, and observers from civil society are left speaking to a choir of like minds. Wealthy nations are shielded from the rest of us as they are escorted from one place to another for photo ops and what are essentially superficial, nano-second, carefully orchestrated moments that reflect the facade that is created that we are all in this together working towards just, equitable solutions.

And yet, each day, I leave with a sense that the process is an accomplishment in and of itself.

In my climate story, I related that I am choosing to lean into us. Part of doing that is accepting the fits and starts, the steps forward and the steps back that are part of building consensus; part of doing that means feeling anger and still showing up knowing that there will be important outcomes that will eventually lead us toward a clear and just transition away from fossil fuels. Another part of leaning in and living in the possibility that we can actually fund and implement very large, critical changes is making myself vulnerable: approaching people with whom I would rather not, showing up and being present because as an observer I will represent to these leaders that the world that is watching with high expectations.

As Day 2 ends and folds into Day 3, the relationships that I have started with Indigenous leaders who enjoy conversations and engagement with observers, people with NGOs that are doing the same thing that I am doing, and the tens of thousands who pour in from all over the world are a force to be reckoned with. We will not go away and we will not silence ourselves; rather, our growing rapport and understanding of how we are so similar is building strength as we continue to hold world leadership accountable by our visibility and voice.

Denise is the Senior Director of Development and Marketing at Climate Generation. Denise leads fundraising and marketing efforts, supporting Climate Generation’s team in growing resources to amplify our mission and vision. Denise has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Catherine, and has worked in fundraising and development for 17 years. She has served as the founding chair of the Saint Paul Almanac, as director for the Lex/Ham Community Council, and on the Central Corridor Community Advisory Committee. Denise’s passion is fueling transformative work through collaborative processes, and has worked in early childhood development, employment and health and human services. While new to working directly on environmental issues, Denise has seen the first hand effect of environmental disparity in communities where she has lived and believes that radical, lasting change in who we are as a people will come from uniting around practical and expedient action to restore and nourish the environment.

Denise is a Climate Generation Window Into COP delegate for COP28. To learn more, we encourage you to meet the full delegation and subscribe to the Window Into COP digest.

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City of Mirrors