It is quite evident that the 17 years of policy drafting are insufficient for a united agreement against climate change.  Today is the last day of the COP17 conference and we still hear statements like “we will consider being subject to hard targets after the next scientific report of climate change evidence”. 

Some parties in this conference do not want to be held accountable for their emissions; it is unfortunate that it will only be when all the rivers are dry that they actually see the value of water.

I feel that countries, whether developing or least developed should venture towards action. These  are words spoken behind the microphones are not achieving any signatures to legally binding commitments or visible reduction in greenhouse emissions, instead, there are heaps of newspapers in our local stores, tons of documents in booths, and a load of USB’s for takers.  

The planet does not have the luxury to wait. Implementation of mechanisms leading to climate change reduction should be done now, at this critical moment even before the climate policy is certain.

Referring to my capturing header, let COP 17 be called Operation, Business Unusual. This is a phrase I picked up from the General Secretary of the United Nations, Ban Kimoon. Business unusual to me means that we are not, like private corporations going to wait for the agreements between member states when we know what is at stake. Climate change is not a question of lifestyle sustainability but rather an endangering factor of livelihood sustainability.

 Negotiators in these climate talks, it is my feeling  are blatantly ignoring scientific evidence  and are undermining our right to climate justice. What they do not understand is that we (developing and least developed countries) might have started at a different point, but  it is guaranteed that global warming will lead us and them  to the same devastating destination.

I feel that the United Nations hear us, but the question is “are they listening?”, as climate change will not go away unless we do something about it. I strongly suggest that the member states of the UNFCCC take action according to their individual needs and not wait upon the Kyoto Protocol agreement. 

Whilst the negotiators continue with delay tactics, let us not procrastinate survival, now is the only chance we have to save humanity. To all the undeveloped and developing nations, put your gloves on, take your suits off and do business unusual.