By Jocelyn-19 & !Baha
13 June, 2007
G8 Nations – You call the “possibility” of a “50% cut in 2050 “ a cause to celebrate!!?
‘Leaders of the G8 have agreed a compromise deal on tackling climate change. “Global greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, followed by substantial global emission reductions,” reads the final text of the summit declaration.’
( Sending a clear signal together, G8 2007 Official Site )
THE TIME FOR SIGNALS is OVER!
With daily reports of drastic weather pattern changes, floods/droughts and tornadoes sweeping across the planet causing unprecedented damage and loss of life, we need DECISIVE ACTION – NOW!
It is definitely not the first time country leaders convened for resolutions to control drastic climate changes:
From 1997 to 1999, an international treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, had been negotiated and opened for signature among countries around the globe under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by the United Nations. As a result, signatory countries had to cut emission targets on 6 greenhouse gases. “Flexibility” is allowed in the sense that countries that have exceeded their emissions quotas may buy emission credits from those countries with excess allowances.
The Kyoto Protocol marks a significant milestone in history because it was the first time the leaders of countries joined together in an effort to effect carbon-reduction in concrete terms. However, most regard it as a failure.
The treaty’s ineffectiveness lay in its credit-trading policy since polluting countries can effectively continue to pollute by buying emissions credits from other less polluting nations!
More recently, President Bush and representatives of a few other developed countries, recklessly denied the existence of global warming and argued that the treaty was unfair and not well-justified because the developing nations were not likewise restricted, without acknowledging that it is investors and orders for cheap products from “America + friends” that create the demand in those third-world factories in the first place!!! The Bush Administration may never acknowledge the irony of this situation, but it is both prudent and fair to look at the ROOT CAUSE of problems when we hope to find viable solutions…
( Click here to learn more about the Kyoto Protocol from Wikipedia )
Last week, in the G8 summit 2007 at Heiligendamm - Germany, President Bush surprised all by declaring a strong will to “lead” efforts to build a new international framework to tackle climate change. Most challenge Bush’s credibility (See Bush merely ’stalling’ on climate, say experts) and such doubt is definitely justifiable. Just because the U.S government finally assured the G8 nations for the first time to commit to future emission targets last week in Germany does not guarantee that we can anticipate changes because still, the resolutions are vague, and the promises seem empty.
Whether President Bush will realize his plans practically with a strong action plan is yet to be seen - but to be fair - cutting carbon emission is the obligation of every individual in the global village. With ‘Growth and Responsibility’ as the central theme of the summit, the G8 President officially announced that a ‘breakthrough on climate protection’ is unfolding before the world’s eyes. Should we believe him?
“Now we have an agreement that there will be a climate change deal, it will involve everyone, including the US and China, and it will involve substantial cuts,” said Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister.
“No mandatory target was set for the cuts, but Mrs Merkel’s preference for a 50% emissions cut by the year 2050 was included in the agreed statement.” EVEN IF actualized, a 50% cut in emissions by 2050 looks like TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!
But without any mandatory target set, the G8 agreement looks as ineffective as the Kyoto Protocol with its credit-trading scheme!
In January this year, the world’s leading scientists agreed to move the minute hand on its famous “Doomsday Clock” two minutes closer to midnight, equating the threat to human survival of climate change to that of nuclear war, we seriously doubt whether by 2050, a 50% emission cut can really make a difference in our bid to save ourselves, the environment, and biodiversity.
DOOMSDAY CLOCK: “Experts have added climate change as a great threat.”
No wonder Bob Geldof commented that the leaders just had a long party in the G8 and had actually achieved nothing at all.
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