At the UN climate conference in Cancun we talked to water expert Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm of the Inter-American Development Bank. The expectations may be low for the present round of climate talks, he told us. But there is something noticeably positive about the COP16 conference: For the first time – and other than only last year at the Copenhagen talks – there's unanimous agreement that climate change is real and that humans are responsible for it, he told us.

In the first of our encounters with participants at the UN climate conference in Cancun, we talked to Kevin Buckland of 350.org, a grassroots organization. Its mission: to mobilize the public to counter global warming with "solutions that science and justice demand". At the Cancun talks, Kevin presents the "Fossil of the Day" award. It's handed out daily to countries that represent the biggest stumbling block in the official climate negotiation sessions on that day. Winner of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place on Day 1: Canada, because the Canadian government is rolling back or inhibiting meaningful climate protection in several areas.

GLOBAL IDEAS will be attending the UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico. Starting November 28th Sabrina Weber and Ranty Islam of the GI-team will be keeping their ears to the ground. Their mission: to network with imaginative individuals and organizations who have ventured to Cancun to present innovative climate protection projects, share ideas – and make a difference in the fight against global warming. Some of our encounters will be featured on this blog. Watch this space.

For live coverage of the key developments at the Cancun talks and additional background reporting please take a look at our main news site DW-WORLD.de or tune in to DW-TV.