First a warning. Much of what is reported in terms of country positions is based on gossip picked up in the hallways. Thus not all is complete or necessarily verified. Please look for verification with any of these statements. But to start far from the hallways - last night Greenpeace transportation - a 1972 VW van fitted with rickety benches - the property of Wella, our driver, was sent to take us home in the far suburbs of Jo'burg. Althought off to a good start we soon lost the trail and Wella took us deep into suburbs that did not appear on any map available to us. Late at night, a wheezing van full of tired folks hurtling down roads lined with homes surrounded by walls and barbed wire. The walls were very disorienting as every place looked like every other place Finally, we were rescued by the police who were waved down by the driver and who directed us far away from where we were to home. On the way in this morning the UN transport - less wheezy but still full of character - took us through Alexandra. A huge shantytown, Alexandra is right beside the suburb of Sandton where the Summit is taking place. This country is an incredible mix of staggering poverty and wealth. Reading this it sounds a bit trite but it still rocks you back on your heels to travel, in ten minutes from the depths of the shantytown to mediterranean style villas surrounded by razor wire and high walls.

The word today in the halls is about renewable energy. The champions, Brazil in the lead with reported support from Indonesia and Norway. Canada, my home country is nowhere on this issue. In the earlier meetings they were strong opponents. Gotta go - running out of time in the internet cafe.

-Peter