Rio+20 Brings Hope and Solutions Despite Weak Talks
Few observers are pleased with the United Nations negotiations on sustainable development, but bright spots shine through in Brazil.
Framed by verdant hills in a suburban part of the city, Riocentro was built to house the first Earth Summit in 1992. Now it is hosting delegates from 190 nations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), including the heads of state of Russia, France, India, and Brazil, plus high-level representatives from many other countries.
The official UN negotiations are taking place June 20 to 22, although there have been more than 3,000 Rio+20-related events around the city over the past month, drawing more than 50,000 out-of-towners. These have included gatherings of indigenous people, protest rallies, art exhibits, themed beach parties, and even a march by topless feminists who called for an end to exploitation of nature.
Activists
