Editorial
Global warming summitry
Anxiety shown, but not a sense of urgency
AMID a mix-up of world economic crisis descending into recession and the climate change challenge intensifying, it is not perhaps surprising that the UN summit on climate change has ended in Poznan, Poland more on a rhetorical rather than substantive note. The global leaders have merely iterated a commitment to keep on negotiating to reach a consensus on a Green deal in the next UN climate change summit in Copenhagen due in December, 2009.
Actually, the time-table for negotiating a plan of action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and help out the vulnerable countries is itself loosely-knit. The Kyoto protocol, with all its non-inclusive nature, is due to expire in 2012. Beyond that point in time, a new treaty falls due, one that is expected to steer clear of the inherent inadequacies of the old one. It should be a covenant complete with guarantees for progressive cutbacks on carbon emissions and support mechanisms for countries most vulnerable to effects to climate change. The whole range of adaptive strategies the countries at the frontline of the fast unfolding disaster need to implement require a massive injection of funds and technical assistance.
Of course, the annual cycle of summitry will be there, before reaching the 2012 threshold for a new protocol. Nevertheless, given the vagaries of world economy and geo-politics which have a way of coming about unannounced, a major distraction could occur in the intervening period, like for instance, the global economic meltdown which has deflected some of the attention from the global climate change. Practically, meaningful negotiations are dependent on three conditions: first, all the major and emerging polluters of environment, including the US, need to be taken fully onboard with an express desire to be compliant. With US President Obama's commitment to a hands-on environmental policy, an effective US involvement in the UN process seems quite likely. Secondly, the avalanche of proposals made for the new treaty's text will have to be fashioned into a negotiation blue-print; and thirdly, the ongoing meetings of the climate change adaptation fund board ought to yield a positive result.
All in all, the pressing need is to turn the anxiety and concern over climate change into a renewed sense of urgency to come to grips with it.
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