
Mayan Goddess Ixchel
Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, invoked the ancient jaguar goddess Ixchel in her opening statement to delegates gathered in Cancun, Mexico, noting that Ixchel was not only goddess of the moon, but also “the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving. May she inspire you — because today, you are gathered in Cancun to weave together the elements of a solid response to climate change, using both reason and creativity as your tools.”
She called for “a balanced outcome” which would marry financial and emissions commitments from industrialized countries aimed at combating climate change with “the understanding of fairness that will guide long-term mitigation efforts.”
“Excellencies, the goddess Ixchel would probably tell you that a tapestry is the result of the skilful interlacing of many threads,” said Figueres, who hails from Costa Rica and started her greetings in Spanish before switching to English. “I am convinced that 20 years from now, we will admire the policy tapestry that you have woven together and think back fondly to Cancun and the inspiration of Ixchel.”
via Global Warming Summit in Cancun Opens with Prayer to Pagan Goddess Ixchel | NewsBusters.org.
It’s interesting to see that this “prayer” hasn’t been widely reported. Is Ms. Figueres trying to opt to the Pachamama award?
Bolivia on the other hand, is not happy with the agreement and has announced they will challenge the agreement: they consider the United Nations regulations haven’t been fulfilled because Bolivian discrepancies were not included on the agreement.
Related: The consensus is no consensus.