THE WORLD GOES TO COPENHAGEN

From December 7th to the 18th the world will hold a Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. If the whole world goes to Copenhagen and leaves without making the needed political agreement, then the conference will be seen as a failure that is not just about climate change. It will be seen as the whole global democratic system not being able to deliver results in one of the defining challenges of our century.

There is a steady momentum regarding climate change throughout the world. It would be irresponsible for the world’s governments not to use this momentum to create the changes needed now. Our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper has only this past week agreed to go to Copenhagen. He feels, and our government feels that the initiatives they have in place to reduce carbon 20% by 2020 is good enough for our country. Is it??

The climate conference may not put in place a climate treaty this year to replace the Kyoto Protocol; however, it should be close to an agreement with these essentials in place: 1. How much are the industrialized countries willing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases? 2. How much are major developing countries such as China and India willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions? 3. How is the help needed by developing countries to engage in reducing their emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change going to be financed? 4. How is that money going to be managed?

Each country attending the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December has been quick to point at that other countries will need to make big changes. USA is blaming China, China is blaming USA, everyone is blaming India and so on and so forth. India, in the past week has come forward with some targets on reducing carbon by 2015. Canada has been strongly criticized internationally for reneging on the Kyoto climate protocol and for refusing to sign on to a new deal limiting greenhouse gases unless developing nations are included.

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference isn't about forcing other countries to our will, it's about taking steps to protect our world and our future. That's why, regardless of what the other countries attending the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference decide, Canada and our Prime Minister should take the lead in affirmative and positive action in addressing all of the issues raised at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference! Lets hope that this is not just another photo opportunity for our world leaders.

Lisa Emery, B.A. is currently living in Amherst. Lisa invites comments to her column. You can contact Lisa at: emeryvine@gmail.com or view her blog at http://emeryvinegrapevine.blogspot.com