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Vital UN climate negotiations start in Bali
Two weeks is long enough to get the job done
December 05, 2007
Real action for the climate means tackling the biggest emitters like coal fired power stations.
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Yes, says Greenpeace. Absolutely.
Here it is plain and simple: stop bickering. Put aside your differences. Come up with a crystal-clear mandate so negotiators can go full-bore over the next two years to agree deep cuts in global warming pollution. And make sure that the long-neglected issue of ending deforestation is firmly in the mix.
For the past 11 years, the Howard government has been undermining global action on climate change. They’ve left us increasingly exposed to the biggest threat that civilisation has ever faced. Kevin Rudd has taken the first step of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and rejoining the international community. Now he needs to knuckle down to business in Bali and support deep and binding emissions targets.
Without serious cuts in global warming pollution, the future will be more frightening and insecure than we can imagine. And it’s no longer the dim and distant future we’re talking about. We are into the realm of IMTO – “In My Term of Office”. The big test for Rudd and his new cabinet will be whether or not emissions stop increasing during the next term of government. This will require serious leadership in terms of driving efficiency improvements, investment in renewable energy and quitting coal. To get serious about climate change, Australia needs to halt the expansion of the coal industry and to start replacing the oldest, dirtiest coal plants with renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Now major global corporations are at long last viewing action against climate change as a growth opportunity and calling for legally binding commitments. It’s the secure framework they need to put big bucks into solutions, even if many companies have still to put their own house in order.
Two weeks is a short time for a political turn-round. But it can be done. Although not a single gram of carbon will be cut nor a single sapling saved as a direct result of Bali – for these are talks about talks – without agreement, governments may have lost the opportunity of ever putting the brakes on climate change.
Here it is plain and simple: stop bickering. Put aside your differences. Come up with a crystal-clear mandate so negotiators can go full-bore over the next two years to agree deep cuts in global warming pollution. And make sure that the long-neglected issue of ending deforestation is firmly in the mix.
Real action for the climate
For the past 11 years, the Howard government has been undermining global action on climate change. They’ve left us increasingly exposed to the biggest threat that civilisation has ever faced. Kevin Rudd has taken the first step of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and rejoining the international community. Now he needs to knuckle down to business in Bali and support deep and binding emissions targets.
Without serious cuts in global warming pollution, the future will be more frightening and insecure than we can imagine. And it’s no longer the dim and distant future we’re talking about. We are into the realm of IMTO – “In My Term of Office”. The big test for Rudd and his new cabinet will be whether or not emissions stop increasing during the next term of government. This will require serious leadership in terms of driving efficiency improvements, investment in renewable energy and quitting coal. To get serious about climate change, Australia needs to halt the expansion of the coal industry and to start replacing the oldest, dirtiest coal plants with renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Now major global corporations are at long last viewing action against climate change as a growth opportunity and calling for legally binding commitments. It’s the secure framework they need to put big bucks into solutions, even if many companies have still to put their own house in order.
Two weeks is a short time for a political turn-round. But it can be done. Although not a single gram of carbon will be cut nor a single sapling saved as a direct result of Bali – for these are talks about talks – without agreement, governments may have lost the opportunity of ever putting the brakes on climate change.
Call for real climate action
