Feature story - November 6, 2009
As the last day of climate talks before the Copenhagen summit drew to a close, Greenpeace attached a banner reading “Climate chaos: who is to blame?” to Barcelona’s iconic statue of Christopher Columbus, which stands at the bottom of the famous “Ramblas” street and points to America.
Christopher Columbus Points the Finger at US for Blocking Climate Deal
The monument commemorates the explorer's discovery of the New World. However, today Columbus is pointing at the US-the nation that bears historic responsibility for climate change, and which has done most to obstruct a climate-saving deal in Copenhagen.
That US legacy continued this week. History's largest emitter refused to move forward to ensure the integrity of a legally binding agreement, allowing the EU and other industrialised countries to
retreat from their commitments.
Also today in Barcelona, Canada was named not only 'Fossil of the Day' but also 'Fossil of the Week', by the Climate Action Network International - a global coalition of over 450 leading non-government organizations who monitor progress at the UN talks.
"We must appeal to our government in every way possible to take this issue seriously," said Virginie Lambert-Ferry Greenpeace Canada climate and energy campaigner in Barcelona. "Canadians are looking forward to the day when they can celebrate our government's leadership and action instead of disgrace, maybe that day will come in Copenhagen, maybe Canada will finally get it."
All the pieces are in place for a legally binding deal in Copenhagen. There is enough time and people know what a fair, ambitious, and legally binding treaty looks like. Now the world needs the political will to make it happen.