Inside the Beltway

NO ALAPALOOZA

Former Vice President Al Gore abruptly canceled a Dec. 16 personal appearance that was to be staged during the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which begins next week. As described in this column on Tuesday, the multimedia public event to promote Mr. Gore’s new book “Our Choice” offered $1,209 VIP tickets that guaranteed a photo taken with Mr. Gore, and a “light snack.”

Berlingske Media, a Danish group coordinating the event, on Thursday said that “great annoyance” was a factor in the cancellation, along with unforeseen changes in Mr. Gore’s schedule. The cancellation affected 3,000 ticket holders.

“We have had a clear-cut agreement, and it is unusual, with great disappointment that we have to announce that Al Gore cancels. We had a huge expectation for the event…We do not yet know the detailed reasons for the cancellation,” says Lisbeth Knudsen, CEO of Berlingske Media.

ClimateDepot.com, an online news site that tracks global warming, referred to the situation as “Nopenhagen,” and evidence that momentum for the Copenhagen conference “is fading.”

But there are plenty of other interesting “side events” at the summit, should participants grow weary of discussions about carbon dioxide. Among the events, gleaned from the official “COP15” calendar:

“Gendered Development” (Women for Climate Justice), “Fashion Summit” (Nordic Initiative), International Enduro (electric-powered Motocross racing), “Climate Refugee Camp” (Danish Church Aid), “A universal declaration of Mother Earth rights” (Bolivia), “Zoos and biological consequences of climate change (Aalborg Zoo), “Meat the Truth” (documentary film), Children’s Action Event (Children’s Climate Forum), “Play to Stop Climate Change” (Backstreet Boys).

OSCAR AND AL

There are a few floor shows taking place stateside as well.

Pajamas Media founder Roger L. Simon and independent filmmaker Lionel Chetwynd - both members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Oscar nominees themselves - have called on the Academy to rescind Oscars awarded for the film version of Mr. Gore’s book “An Inconvenient Truth” after Climategate has led to accusations that British and American scientists manipulated global warming data to suit their agendas.

“In the history of the Academy, not to my knowledge has an Oscar ever been rescinded. I think they should rescind this one,” says Mr. Simon.

Two Oscars for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song were awarded in 2007, both based on Mr. Gore’s book.

STRIKING BACK

Tomorrow’s weather prediction: Stormy, with gale-force winds.

Scientists at the very eye of the Climategate hurricane are striking back Friday against critics with the help of the Center of American Progress (CAP), a think tank headed by John D. Podesta, one-time chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton.

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