Below is a set of twitter comments I culled from the past few days. I tried to get as many different perspectives as possible and also highlighted some of the secondary issues (technology, weather) to give a wider feel for the official conference. Comments come from diplomats, observers, activists, journalists, and academics.
I know I’ve missed some crucial twitter comments from great people, so the use of the word definitive is poetic. If you want to get more information, I recommend starting with the tweets and retweets by any of the people below: All of whom did an amazing job. Alex Farrow, Sébastien Duyck, Lang Banks, are not the only great ones, but deserve mention for exhaustive exhausting coverage.
Not strictly organized chronologically so that themes could hold together a little bit, but generally organized by date.
June 13- It Gets Started, With Some Hope
We remain hopeful, but it's been a slow start for #RioPlus20—
Lasse Gustavsson (@Lassewwf) June 13, 2012
June 14- Hard Work, but the Agreement Remains [Bracketed]
Logistics challenge at #rioplus20; WIFI doesn't work, no power plugs, so after only 2 hours diplomats can't access the documents anymore—
Han Huiskamp (@HanHuiskamp) June 14, 2012
June 15- Brazil Takes Charge
Maurice Strong at the celebration of Rio92 "we have reason to be concerned." #Rioplus20—
Sergio Abranches (@abranches) June 15, 2012
Everyone at #rioplus20 is power hungry. For computer power, that is http://t.co/oCqm9szp—
Lisa Curtis (@lisacurtis) June 15, 2012
Support the call to establish a high commissioner for future generations at #rioplus20 vimeo.com/43578696—
Pippa Gardner (@Pippab3) June 15, 2012
"It's clear we will get something, but it's equally clear we will not get what the planet needs" says @WWF bbc.in/OSLkfH #Rioplus20—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 15, 2012
G77 walked out of green economy negotiations in #RioPlus20 until commitments on 'means of implementation' were made—
Diana Cariboni (@diana_cariboni) June 14, 2012
#RioPlus20 negotiations felt apart—
Diana Cariboni (@diana_cariboni) June 15, 2012
It's 11pm on the final day of #Prepcom, much of the text [still]. Plenary about to start- more negotiation or chair to take over? #Rioplus20—
Sudhvir Singh (@sudhvir) June 16, 2012
1150pm in the negotiations hearing feedback from the groups 37% of text free from brackets…big deals there to be made to free the rest—
felix dodds (@felixdodds) June 16, 2012
UN is handing over conference to Brazil govt now.#rioplus20—
Wen Hoe (@wenhoe) June 15, 2012
June 16- Brazil Forces Agreement
Consolidated #rioplus20 text — Brazilians asking 4 discipline — no new brackets, no more rearranging & all to take resp 4 getting it done.—
Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) June 16, 2012
#Fun & #confusion here at #RioPlus20 as the hunt for latest text continues. A copy from January just won't do for some people it seems
—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 16, 2012
Text is out. Not all is bad, but too many weasel words. Government now have a few days to get it right. We need governments to COMMIT.—
Lasse Gustavsson (@Lassewwf) June 16, 2012
We [agree] [noted] the [need] [opportunity] [possibility] to [discuss further whether to] take action [long after] [at] #RioPlus20 [or not].—
Sébastien Duyck (@duycks) June 16, 2012
[[Ombudsperson/ High-Level Representative/ High Commissioner] for [Future Generation/ Sustainable Development] – Brazil delete] #Rioplus20—
Mathieu Soete (@MathieuSoete) June 17, 2012
Divine intervention or is it all up to Brazil? Why #WWF is praying for political miracle at #Rioplus20. See my diary bit.ly/McWNCB—
Jo Confino (@joconfino) June 16, 2012
First Rio dialogue ends. New model of civil society participation in an international conference. #RioDialogues #FutureWeWant—
Brice Lalonde (@bricelalonde) June 16, 2012
World people vote and they like Forests and Water, don't like Fossil Fuel Subsidies. vote.riodialogues.org #RioPlus20—
LullabyoftheCommons (@LullabyCommons) June 17, 2012
Wantrouwen is, vertelt Braziliaanse onderhandelaar, een diep geworteld probleem in onderhandeling Rio+20. Het is een wild west, gewelddadig—
Thijs de la Court (@ThijsdelaCourt) June 16, 2012
negotiations start again at 7pm will be interesting to see the government reacions…no brackets allowed, no screen to add text to—
felix dodds (@felixdodds) June 16, 2012
Brazilië wil niet meer praten over [brackets] in onderhandelingen waar zij leiding nemen, maar over problemen. Hoe zal dat in praktijk zijn?—
Ralien Bekkers (@RalienBekkers) June 16, 2012
#Rioplus20 Brazil took over negotiations but their draft falls way short. We need much bolder leadership, not the lowest common denominator—
Jim Leape (@jimleape) June 17, 2012
June 17- Some Hope on Parts of the Agreement
@UN_Rioplus20 Brazil press conf now: "The way is very open to a good final agreement". #Rioplus20 #futurewewant @VardaGroup—
Remi Parmentier (@RemiParmentier) June 17, 2012
"We're all confident that the differences [in the text] can be bridged" says @EarthSummit2012 spokesperson at #RioPlus20 briefing—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 17, 2012
Brazil optimistic about #RioPlus20 deal on governance: "UNEP won’t leave this Conference in the same way it came in,” Figueiredo says.—
(@jonathanwatts) June 18, 2012
US are looking at this as a package our willingness to live with this means that a specialized agency for UNEP is off the table. No UNEO—
felix dodds (@felixdodds) June 17, 2012
US – sust dev has primarily been for environ ministries. We hope this conference changes that. < take moral leadership, please—
Sarah Pendergast (@SMPender) June 17, 2012
I love it when sustainability hacks make puns. "An inconvenient youth" Yes. #RioPlus20—
Genevieve Stewart (@gen_stewart) June 17, 2012
I applaud the #Rioplus20 organizers for wanting to go paperless, but as a result, it's confusing to know what the schedule is each day here.—
Angel Hsu (@ecoangelhsu) June 17, 2012
Desperate chair about long tirades instead of short questions – not going to give his microphone away #riodialogues #rioplus20—
Cécile Schneider (@CcilSchndr) June 17, 2012
I hope that countries ignore Brazils plea to not introduce new text and add some ambition to the #RioPlus20 text @IdaAuken @christianfbach—
Alexander Ege (@AlexanderEge) June 17, 2012
Nations running thru how their legislators are able to influence & scrutinise law-making & implmtn of Rio comtmts #Rioplus20 #GLOBE—
Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) June 17, 2012
@Avaaz & @350 have unfurled a giant trilion $ note on Copacabana to push #Rioplus20 leaders to #endfossilfuelsubsidies bit.ly/LoJ8y0—
Sudhvir Singh (@sudhvir) June 18, 2012
Seems like a possible G20-Rio+20 dynamic might be emerging on fossil fuel subsidies. Positive noises at #RioPlus20 from some G20 delegations—
Owen Gibbons (@OwenTGibbons) June 17, 2012
Pic of the huge #endfossilfuelsubsidies trillion dollar bill at #RioPlus20. Sign the petition: avaaz.org/en/g20_a_new_p… http://t.co/TlIP0T4V—
(@Avaaz) June 17, 2012
Uncanny sense of timing from the weather at #RioPlus20, storm clouds gathering… http://t.co/97vN4jRD—
John Parnell (@RTCC_john) June 17, 2012
June 18- Huddles, Hope Fades, and a Twitter Storm
"Fundamental change in our economic system needed" – Maurice Strong @ intergenerational moderated discussion. #riodeclaration—
Johan Westberg (@JohanWestberg) June 18, 2012
Amazing! #EndFossilFuelSubsidies trended globally at #2 this morning, now #3 trend in USA: ow.ly/i/HJ6m—
Jamie Henn (@Agent350) June 18, 2012
Brazil adjourns session until 9pm so small group can go discuss paragraph on #endfossilfuelsubsidies. It's now a hot topic.—
Jamie Henn (@Agent350) June 18, 2012
Heard in the corridors of Rio+20: "the difference between the document on the table of negotiations and nothing is minimal". #Rioplus20—
Sergio Abranches (@abranches) June 18, 2012
#RioPlus20 #IFSD negotiations set to start anytime now in P3-A. We want the unbracketing of a future generation high level advisor/officer!—
Pippa Gardner (@Pippab3) June 18, 2012
More rumours of secret text on SDGs at #RioPlus20 Danger of twin process for SDGs and post-2015 framework. That would be a poor outcome.—
Owen Gibbons (@OwenTGibbons) June 18, 2012
#Chair: I am very disappointed. We might not have #SDGs at #Rioplus20, because you refuse to talk to each other.—
Olimar Maisonet (@Oli_mar) June 18, 2012
Mega huddle at Means of Implementation #rioplus20 @thefletcherschool last chance for breakthrough http://t.co/jbb74CrW—
Kelly Gallagher (@ksimsgallagher) June 18, 2012
Latest version of the text on #IFSD: the high level forum COULD provide..enhance…follow up and review…Honestly?? #rioplus20—
Cécile Schneider (@CcilSchndr) June 19, 2012
Oceans negotiators at work. #rioplus20 http://t.co/qoH1DzWA—
Frances O'Brien (@BengoshiNeko) June 18, 2012
@ChrisWright162 'negotiations' have basically devolved into finger pointing and glaring across the table.—
Frances O'Brien (@BengoshiNeko) June 18, 2012
Stay awake people + all those tracking @UN_Rioplus20 There's a plenary at 11pm! Will we see a new and improved text? #RioPlus20—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 19, 2012
gonna be a long night at #RioPlus20…Brazil needs to step it up…—
Steve Ertel (@sevolley) June 19, 2012
#Rioplus20 text discussion closed, it appears. Does that mean it is really agreed? Maybe not – EU at least not happy—
Richard Black (@BBCRBlack) June 19, 2012
It's going to be a long night here at #Rioplus20. Hoping that the High Seas Biodiversity Agreement will survive!—
Kaisa Kosonen (@kaisakosonen) June 19, 2012
Just saw a zombie shuffle by in the #rioplus20 cavern. I think they're taking over the place. Hope we make it til dawn. Hoarding sandwiches.—
Ian Morrison (@i_morrison) June 19, 2012
June 19- The Final Draft and Response to It
"I hear no objection, so it is decided" says the Brazilian chair a split second after officially presenting the new #Rioplus20 text—
Andrew Preston (@ForumAndrew) June 19, 2012
Brazil finally chair long awaited plenary, carried over from last night. New text adopted as is, no further negotiation! #rioplus20—
Sudhvir Singh (@sudhvir) June 19, 2012
Boos compete with muted applause as Brazil closes #RioPlus20 plenary with agreement on text to go to leaders. #GetSeRIOus—
Owen Gibbons (@OwenTGibbons) June 19, 2012
youth and NGO's boo in the new text while unambitious governments applaud the #futurewedontwant #rioplus20 #riolegacy—
Chris Wright (@ChrisWright162) June 19, 2012
Brazil has released new text. If this becomes final text, the past year of negotiations has been a colossal waste of time. #RioPlus20 @WWF—
Jim Leape (@jimleape) June 19, 2012
Utterly depressing… #RioPlus20 negotiating text is a "colossal failure of leadership and vision" says @WWF bit.ly/NMPck7—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 19, 2012
#Rioplus20 new text – states 'reaffirm the commitments they have made' to phasing out 'harmful and innefficient' fossil fuel subsidies—
Richard Black (@BBCRBlack) June 19, 2012
Not the best agreement in the world, but an agreement for a better world #RioPlus20—
Ida Auken (@IdaAuken) June 19, 2012
.@duycks @ESG_IEG The replacement of 'The high level forum WILL' with 'The HL forum could' is extremely telling. #RioPlus20—
Alex Farrow (@alexjamesfarrow) June 19, 2012
This is Rio Minus 20 which Fails on equity, fails on ecology,Fails on economy #rio+20 #earthsummit text longest suicide note in history—
Kumi Naidoo (@kuminaidoo) June 19, 2012
Greenpeace boss Kumi calls 4 waves of civil disobedience in wake of weakened draft #rioplus20 text. Read my interview bit.ly/MsNmPF—
Jo Confino (@joconfino) June 19, 2012
It is not entirely the future we want, but we are moving in the right direction.That is worth of all the invested energy and sleeples nights—
Janez Potočnik (@JanezPotocnikEU) June 19, 2012
#rioplus20 telling that nobody in that room adopting the text was happy. That's how weak it is. And they all knew. Disappointing #Rio20—
Connie Hedegaard (@CHedegaardEU) June 19, 2012
"why can't we make sustainable development functional?" Kenya #rioplus20—
Chris Wright (@ChrisWright162) June 19, 2012
#rioplus20 text pushed through by Brazilian chair without Kenya and many others even knowing what was going on! #futurewewant #futurewedont—
Chris Wright (@ChrisWright162) June 19, 2012
Journalist asks on Brazil''s ''triumph of multilateralism'' — was that the goal of #rioplus20, to restore multilaterism?—
SciDev.Net (@SciDevNet) June 19, 2012
June 20- Day 1 of High Level Meetings and Speeches
NO analogies can be drawn from the fact the official start of #rioplus20 has been delayed due to delegates stuck in slow moving traffic—
Rio+20 (@RioPlus2O) June 20, 2012
Traffic stopped UN SG Ban Ki-moon from attending the #SE4All high level group meeting @UN_Rioplus20 but technology empowered his engagement—
Nawal Al-Hosany (@NAH_208) June 20, 2012
Nervous, excited, ready to go out there and kill it
—
Brittany Trilford (@BrttnyTrlfrd) June 20, 2012
My reaction to #Rio+20 agreement: "there are no new established mechanisms to ensure effective civil society… fb.me/1QRzGshP4—
Staffan Nilsson (@StaffNilsson) June 20, 2012
After months of negotiations, Heads of State arrive today #rioplus20 Draft text is not enough for our people or our planet.—
Sarah Pendergast (@SMPender) June 20, 2012
NGO statement in #Rioplus20 plenary 'we do not endorse the document' + text about 'full participation of civil society' must be removed—
Diana Liverman (@DianaLiv) June 20, 2012
Beware of major regressions in world governance, we must hold on for dear life to not unravel what we have – Pascal Lamy #rioplus20 #WTO—
Johan Westberg (@JohanWestberg) June 20, 2012
June 21- Any possibility of Reopening Negotiations ends
Back in plenary, Israeli Minister criticises Palestine: 'firing rockets at our civilians, is that sustainable development?' #rioplus20—
Sudhvir Singh (@sudhvir) June 22, 2012
Prez Correa of Ecuador asks for payment to not exploit oil at #rioplus20—
Diana Liverman (@DianaLiv) June 21, 2012
#RioPlus20 is a wrap as far as @WWF is concerned. Leaders here have collectively failed to deliver the #FutureWeWant… Taxi!!!!—
Lang Banks (@LangBanks) June 21, 2012
Diplomacy is not hard when you're trying to get people to agree to nothing. RT @WWF: WWF #RioPlus20 closing statement goo.gl/fb/JxFZv—
Steve Ertel (@sevolley) June 21, 2012
Brundtland: #rioplus20 dec does not do enough to set humanity on a sustainable path. I understand the frustration in Rio today. @TheElders—
Kelly Rigg (@kellyrigg) June 21, 2012
Ban Ki-Moon changing discourse from yesterday's "we have to re-open the text" to we "need to be pragmatic" #rioplus20 #gameover—
anabella rosemberg (@anabella_tu) June 21, 2012
EU Press point on agreed #Rioplus20 text: "this was the best we could get at this point in time". http://t.co/sIIUCDKX—
Janez Potočnik (@JanezPotocnikEU) June 21, 2012
Young people walked out of the #rioplus20 Earth Summit #WhileTwitterwasDown in protest of a weak document that is not #thefuturewewant—
Lisa Curtis (@lisacurtis) June 21, 2012
200 (+ number) just handed in their @UN badges in protest of the #RioPlus20 talks. Two fingers up to the UN! BOOM! http://t.co/LfayhRkn—
Alex Farrow (@alexjamesfarrow) June 21, 2012
Critical not to equate #rioplus20 with just the core meeting – so much else being achieved in 3000 side meetings — Lehner, @NRDC #globaldev—
SciDev.Net (@SciDevNet) June 21, 2012
June 22- Last Day of Conference
Thunder, lightening and torrential rain as delegates wake for final day of Rio+20.—
(@jonathanwatts) June 22, 2012
"What is emerging out of Rio is good news for environmental governance, "- Achim Steiner #rioplus20 Press Conference—
UNEP RONA (@UNEPRONA) June 22, 2012
9 EU nations in "coalition of the willing" adopt a #RobinHoodTax Who'd have thought Luxembourg would trump Rio this week? @Oxfam #RioPlus20—
John Parnell (@RTCC_john) June 22, 2012
Trash from #rioplus20 sustainable development conference. Irony or painful contradiction? instagr.am/p/MMG1sWuGi_/—
Pau Alvarado (@paualvarado) June 22, 2012
#RioPlus20 final text is out, no changes from earlier this week. It's official: Rio has completely, utterly, and spectacularly failed.—
Iain Keith (@idfkeith) June 22, 2012
#RioPlus20: #RioPlusZero or #RioPlusNothing? You pick the name—
Diana Cariboni (@diana_cariboni) June 22, 2012
While #RioPlus20 is winding down, the cloud of commitments is just getting started #RioCommit j.mp/O5lxnV—
(@NRDC) June 22, 2012
"The conference decides to adopt the outcome document." Everyone is standing and clapping – why? #Rioplus20—
Wen Hoe (@wenhoe) June 22, 2012
@UN confirms #rioplus20 is largest UN meeting ever, at 45,381 registrations cf 17,00 at 1992 Earth Summit #globaldev #futurewewant—
SciDev.Net (@SciDevNet) June 22, 2012
