Although attempting to be enthralled in the process of the opening of the meetings, I felt like I was in way over my head. At that point Lindsay Tefler and I snuck out and went to the press conference for the Climate Action Network. On the panel were Elizabeth May, Selene Wade, Jennifer Morgan, and Segwin. A number of key topics were addressed.
Morgan emphasized the need for a plan for post-2012 (when the first Kyoto commitment period ends). She also noted the importance that this plan be formulated under the MOP, not the COP. This is because the United States and Saudi Arabia are opposed to future negotiations; so, if the post-2012 negotiations occur under the COP meeting, it is probable that all progress will be blocked by the US, which that pretty much equals hurdling our planet into an oversized incinerator. It is key that this situation is avoided so that the US does not stop the rest of the world, which is the vast majority, from progressing beyond the first Kyoto commitment period (X % below 1990 levels). Another topic to simply be discussed under MOP is the adoption of the Marrakech accord, which is basically the rules of the Kyoto Protocol; the Protocol does not function without this accord. Quite simply, “This should be a no-brainer” said Morgan.
Wade spoke to the pressing issue of developing countries who are suffering the most both in quantity and quality of environmental damages caused by climate change. A great amount of focus is being put on Brazil and deforestation occurring there, but in reality; it is countries within Africa that are the most vulnerable in relation to climate change. It is for these countries that adaptation measures are most urgently required. It must also be noted that adaptation measures are only good for the short-term, and are not sustainable in the long-term. It is a matter of the substance in the strategies, not in the solidarity, as Wade explained. This is a key issue, which I believe is well overlooked; we are still preparing ourselves for predicted dangerous climate change effects, while people from around the world are already feeling them. I would particularly like to note the issue of environmental refugees, which is only going to get worse as climate change continues, and is an issue that should be seriously considered in these negotiations.
“These are the most important climate change negotiations ever,” began May. She continued to explain that this is so because many never thought the Kyoto Protocol would be ratified; the Bush Administration has twisted arms of countries in order to not ratify, and yet we now have 165 ratifying parties, which made up for at least %55 of greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. Furthermore, a COP has never had this many American people in participation. There is “a great amount of positive and constructive work going on in the states, and none of it is coming from the Bush Administration, which is the single biggest threat to global progress,” as May rightly and passionately expressed. She further explained that although the US has in fact ratified the framework to the convention, that they are in deep violation! “They show up at these meetings for the purpose of derailing progress,” May said.
Within less than an hour I was more educated and inspired by these four insightful and knowledgeable human beings, than I had ever expected. And this is still day one.
