WHO: Climate Conference’s 15,000 environment-loving delegates
WHAT: With Copenhagen’s 1,200 gas-guzzling limousines (no hybrids) and $1,300 hotel rooms fully rented, along with 140 private jets crowding the airport tarmac, the two-week international climate change summit will pump out some 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide. That’s equal to the total daily output of 30 of the world’s smaller countries, according to United Nations statistics.
SECURITY MEASURES: Just in case of mass demonstrations, Denmark has taken delivery of its first water cannon. The authorities beefed up police powers and are proudly showing off their new temporary prison, an unused brewery with 360 cages that can hold 4,000 troublemakers. On the fun side, the Danish government is spending nearly $300,000 to distract protesters with a sports festival offering free swimming pools, bowling, billiards and a rock-climbing wall.
