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By Nomadic Chris, 10 December 2009
Will COP15 potentially change the world forever?
Will heads of state REALLY be saying sorry to us in 2020?
Global temperatures are not the only thing warming up! It seems things are getting 'heated' at COP15!
This past decade is stated as the hottest on record and it seems to be affecting some of the delegates in Copenhagen! Leaked emails?! Leaked documents?! COP15 is turning into an episode of 24!
The real issue is of course, climate change! The solution? Well, that is being debated (argued!) right now at COP15 – Copenhagen, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark.
Until December 18th, COP15 will be the focus of global media attention with 192 countries, 100 heads of state, and 15,000 delegates, politicians, activists and press in attendance. The goal? To discuss solutions and sign an agreement that will help cut greenhouse gas admissions. Some governments and politicians may not see eye to eye but one subject they do agree on is the growing threat of climate change and the need to act. NOW!
YOU can also ACT RIGHT NOW by signing the Friends of the Earth petition below! You can also send your greetings to the world leaders! (see below!)
High Drama at COP15!
There are SO many issues being covered at COP15 but here are some news worthy items creating a buzz!
IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE! At COP15, 2009 is noted as the fifth hottest year since records began in 1850! This past decade is stated as the hottest since records began. Further data research as well as evidence provided from retreating glaciers, changing animal migration patterns and tree ‘rings’ point to the evidence that the planet’s temperature may rise 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees F) before the end of the century. Cue potential flooding and droughts.
CAP AND TRADE! No one has so far really mentioned Cap and Trade (CT), (carbon trading or emissions trading) Under CT schemes, individual governments or intergovernmental bodies, like the United Nations, set a limit on greenhouse gas emissions allowed within a given time period. Hence the name, the CAP! Thus far, there has been limited use of CT globally and so far the only real benefit has been using corporate funds to help Indonesian and Amazon rain forests. Though CT is not perfect, it is definitely a step in the right direction!
LEAKED EMAILS! If you thought the COP15 would be dull, you are much mistaken! Drama has swept the conference with both leaked documents and emails aleady overshadowing the talks.
The leaked emails from East Anglia University (UK), climate sceptics claim, show that some scientists over exaggerated how much human behaviour is altering overall climate change. Data is always open to different forms of interpretation but THIS data can potentially change the world forever so it is no small matter! Some of the scientists in question have even received death threats! Who is to blame? Watch this space!
LEAKED DOCUMENTS! It pays to be more careful with important paperwork! The leaked document in question focuses on a draft "Copenhagen Agreement" that would require developing countries to take on targets as the world cuts emissions in half by 2050.
The document states global emissions should peak by the end of the next decade (2020). It did not include any emissions targets for 2020 or specific proposals for the creation of a Green fund to help the most vulnerable countries. Overall control of the climate change financial situation would be passed to the World Bank.
THE NORTH SOUTH DIVIDE!
The content of course angered developing nations! The document supposedly favours richer nations who want to drop the existing Kyoto Protocol (KP). The KP was not mentioned in the draft. Also discussed was dropping the principle of only industrialised nations taking on emissions targets due to their historic responsibility for climate change. This has again divided the developed world (North) and the often powerless developing world (South).
Any misinformation can potentially turn allies into enemies and break down trust. The real loser? Planet Earth! Oh and you and me! Lets hope all attendees remain focussed on the climate issue and resolve all differences.
More breaking news as it happens!
HOW IT ALL STARTED! From the Earth Summit to COP15!
COP15 traces its origins back to the first ‘Earth Summit” held in Rio de Janeiro, back in 1992. Back then, gas was guzzling by the barrel load and ‘Global warming’ did not register…yet!
In 1990, the UN’s climate panel (IPCC), in its first report, pointed out that there was a real chance that human activities, especially the consumption of coal, oil and gas, could affect the environment. “The earth’s future is in danger” was the message. It resulted in the first international agreement to limit emissions of greenhouse gases: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In 1997, after several revisions, the convention was expanded to include the so-called Kyoto Protocol, which for the first time set binding targets for how much industrialised countries should reduce their emissions by 2012. The protocol issued set strict targets for the greenhouse gas emissions of 37 industrialised countries. A group of countries (including the USA) that have ratified the UNFCCC have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol and are therefore not covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol sets targets for emissions from 2008 to 2012. At the 13th annual conference of member countries (COP13) in Bali, it was decided a new agreement was needed. The plan which is called the Bali Action Plan aims towards a new agreement which is being negotiated at the 15th annual conference – COP15.
Climate change starts with you!
Keep up to date with COP15 and make a difference in your own little way!
The earth is your ‘home’ so look after it before it is too late!
iCUBED.us Cares! Global Warming Watch, Sustainable Eating and Environment, Pollution & Over-Population
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