The COP16 climate talks in Cancun have entered the final stretch, but the prospect that the conference will conclude with a substantial agreement is more remote than ever. Generelly there's a sense among participants that there's increasing urgency to the issue of climate change – and a degree of astonishment at the declining importance of the topic in the media and in public perception – no matter if it's in the US or across the pond.

Among those, that are most vociferously campaining for rapid action on climate change is 350.org, a global network of pressure groups and NGOs. We talked to 350.org's Mexico coordinator Marcelo Quintanilla, who believes that there's been too much talk but that  the Cancun conference nevertheless offers a big chance for change.

Second, there's Dave Jones who works to "raise the environmental IQ of America" – the chosen tagline of his science-based communications agency StormCenter – dedicated to driving the urgency of climate change home to a US public increasingly unfazed by the issue. At the Cancun climate talks he runs a multimedia display in the US pavilion to educate visitors about the impact of climate change. Just two findings are: The oceans have measurably warmed down to depths of 300 meters and storms won't necessarily become more frequent but very much more destructive, he says.

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.