I haven’t blogged in over a week, and the kids’ school break starts in four hours and seven minutes (less by the time I post). I still have some Christmas shopping to do without my little helpers, I have to drop the family calendar I just finished at Staples, so it can be copied and mailed to the extended family ASAP, and I forgot to buy some key ingredients for my daughter’s birthday cake for her party tomorrow, which may happen in a blizzard. There are also the work items I wanted to finish before break. Still, I keep thinking of Copenhagen and the global climate change summit happening there and want to write about it.

It’s inspiring that so many people—including so many leaders—from so many countries are gathered in one place and trying to form a consensus. It’s discouraging that they are not closer to a meaningful agreement, though perhaps not surprising. Despite all the work that has gone on behind the scenes for years, any Quaker can tell you that a week is not very long to form consensus. However, most Quakers will also tell you that miracles can happen; entrenched positions can suddenly shift; way can open. Personally, I’m praying for a miracle in Copenhagen, without forgetting that miracles are often preceded by much hard work.

Among the people working hard to pressure governments into getting out of the way is my friend Kumi Naidoo, the new head of Greenpeace. Here is his report from the summit on the final day:  

I continue to feel moved by the enormity of the issues we are facing as a planet and discouraged by how little I can do to contribute to the ground swell that’s needed in between dropping off the calendars and baking the cake. That I’ll be doing today’s errands in a Prius seems a moot point. But I realize it’s been awhile since I’ve called the White House to register my opinion, and this is a good day to fit that in. Obama’s behind a locked door, but I want his administration to know that the American people are paying attention and want a fair, ambitious, and binding deal. For anyone else who wants to make the call, it’s (202) 456-1111. If you are outside of the US, call your own government. This needs to be a global cry, as wellas a global prayer.