Copenhagen Climate Conference Opens

Copenhagen Climate Conference

After two years of often contentious negotiations, the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen opened today.

And while no one is doubting the importance of this particular conference, the hype leading up to today has had the fever of a circus side show.

The normally staid science community are billing the next 11 days as “The largest and most important climate change conference in history.” “Hopenhagen” has been quickly adopted as a nickname, still other scientists have stated this conference is “the most important the world has ever seen”.

Ok! Hang on. We may be at a point, and only history will tell us, where the line in the sand has been drawn. And we need to start to seriously look at ways to bring the reins in as it were.

But is now the time for all the hype? In the last couple of weeks we have had “climategate”, why must everything be a “gate”? But that is for another column. On November 17th 2009 the webmail sever at the University of East Anglia, was hacked and over 1000 emails, containing language, which could be interpreted to indicate scientists were trying to hide a decrease in global warming, were posted all over the web for the rest of the world to see. Presently Police in that country are conducting an investigation into the breach.

When the general public is faced with an overload of information from two opposing and equally passionate arguments, complete with apparent facts and data to support their respective positions, they will often turn to the people they trust for guidance. So who are they? Politicians? Journalists? Scientists? It is anyone’s guess.

So as we sit glued to our tv and computer screens watching every bit of news that emerges from these talks, I have one question – What do we want to come out of this conference?

It was just over a year ago we watched the “Yes we can” train roll across the United States as President Barack Obama made history. His speeches and promises where truly an inspiring sight to behold, but can he deliver?

It is great to have a vision, but if it isn’t attainable, is it only a dream?

Do we want dreams? I don’t. The time for dreams is over. Now is the time that countries must pull out a pen, a blank piece of paper, and a commitment to write the most aggressive, obtainable resolution that each country can implement.

Drafting a resolution that is not attainable is a waste of time, effort and energy, and quite frankly insulting.

To see a country one week sign on the dotted line, then subsequently spin a reason why they cannot honour said commitment is getting a little old.

Sure, we all have our wish lists, I for one have a list that Santa would have a hard time filling, but I do have one request, only one.

Whatever is contained in that final resolution, it must be politically neutral. While we certainly need buy in from the 192 ruling parties in attendance, we need an equal commitment from the opposition parties of those countries that they too will honour all agreements that come out of the conference, should they ever come into power.

Time for political games is over. It is time for everyone to take responsibility for themselves and to continue to pressure the government of the day to honour their commitments.

During the Conference:

Over the next 11 days we at Greener Ideal will look at the daily news and provide an overview of event, talks, and agreements coming out of Copenhagen.

We hope you will find them interesting and informative. As always we love to hear from our readers, drop us a line and tell us what you would like to see come out of this conference.