Editorial
A modest step forward
Onus put on national mitigation measures
THE outcome from Bali climate conference can be seen in a positive light given that the USA is party to a consensus which it has not been during the Kyoto protocol days since 1997. In a last-minute dramatic turn, the US reached a compromise with the European Union, tilted towards itself though, to the effect that no numeric range in slashing green house gas emissions was adopted in the declaration. Aside from the USA, it does not also require two of the largest emitters of the world, India and China to take on reduction commitments. Yet, a framework to launch negotiations and a timeline for reaching an accord by 2009 to fight climate changes has been spelt out.
That itself is a measure of public concern reflected in the resolve made in Bali to reach sustainable solutions to rising temperature and global warming. We, however, agree with the environmental experts that no scientific 'punch' has been put into the fight against global warming. The much-vaunted IPCC fourth assessment mentioned dates and required levels of emission reduction from 25-40 percent by developed countries which was not agreed to by them. Only a vague commitment was made to 'deeper cuts in global emissions of green house gases'.
It seems, however, that a greater emphasis has been placed on 'nationally appropriate mitigation actions' by the developing countries and that these have to be 'enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building in measurable, reportable and verifiable manner'. The burden of guilt is far from being accepted by the worst polluters of world environment while the pressure is kept up on those at receiving end.
What exactly a country like Bangladesh, among the frontline states to take the brunt of the global warming, has received from Bali? An adaptation fund which Bangladesh can draw from when suffering from weather events has been formally launched. But if the size of the fund is not equal to the task facing developing countries, it would end up being a mere palliative. The important issue of identifying practical adaptation measures are understandably left to further negotiations. Furthermore, no headway has been made as for the crucial element of technology transfer.
Need we say, the environmental negotiators are racing against time? With modest emission cuts it would take 30-40 years to repair some of the damage wreaked on the world atmosphere through denudation of ozone layers by CO2 emissions. But drastic cuts are needed in carbon emissions as safe alternative energy sources are harnessed to save the world from a full-scale environmental disaster.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments