THE LAST PUSH BEFORE COPENHAGEN: Defining Positions, Strategies and Goals
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RNGO Briefing on
THE LAST PUSH BEFORE COPENHAGEN:
Defining Positions, Strategies and Goals
November 10, 2009, 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Rev. Chris Ferguson, moderator, highlighted the importance of this topic saying that climate change must be seen as part of our religious mission. We are looking for a Deal at Copenhagen that will be fair, ambitious and binding. There is no Plan B available. Five speakers from UN Missions and two representatives of civil society spoke on the issue.
Ambassador Gary Quinlan of Australia spoke of the moral challenge to address the danger of global warming to his country and to the small islands in the Pacific. His concern is that the sense of urgency is diminishing rather than increasing due to media comments that COP15 will fall far short of expectations. We need immediate action on the targets and we need to avoid sterile debates.
Ambassador Masao Nakayama of Micronesia commented that “even the dead are no longer safe” on his islands in the Pacific. Are these islands being written off? The least likely to be hurt are making the policy. The human element is missing from the debate. It is unjust for some to take action that harms others and refuse to pay or the damage. Will the over-consuming countries pay attention or does Micronesia have to accept the inevitable destruction of their world heritage. This is the most selfish era in world history, worse than slavery or colonialism. Micronesia is calling for the most aggressive targets in the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, which can be summarized: Do everything possible, a fast as possible. Kyoyo calls for over 45% reductions in near term and more than 95% reductions by 2050 in the Annex I countries. These agreements must be legally binding. (See complete text)
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Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri of India noted that his country’s 1000+ islands are tremendously impacted, while the Indian philosophy of life in harmony with nature has been desecrated. The key issue: unsustainable patterns of consumption over the last 150 years threaten future generations. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas are a huge threat to India and they are looking for legally binding agreements so that countries cannot decide to change or renege on agreements. Matters of equity demand religious sensitivity to these ethical issues.
Counselor Mr. Jakob Ström of Sweden (Sweden is President of the European Union) calls this an ethical, spiritual, moral as well as political and economic concern. Sweden is spearheading a way away from the use of fossil fuel and is calling for the financial support needed for developing nations and for adaptation. This will need robust monitoring. It may be 3 years before we have achieved a legally binding agreement post Copenhagen but the agreements must be made there.
First Secretary Dr. Yuyin Liu of China made 2 points since he was the last speaker and time was running out: It is inaccurate to blame China and the US for not signing the Kyoto Protocol and China to faces the grave disaster of the melting glaciers in the Himalayas. We have no choice: we must deal with climate change and seal the deal in Copenhagen. China is a country the keeps its word and they have the support of their congress. We must not lower expectations. There is no Plan B.
Civil society representatives, including Jessica Haller, Director of the Jewish Climate Change Campaign, promised the total commitment of religions measures to reduce the crisis.
Submitted by Joan Kirby, Temple of Understanding
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