| Was the Copenhagen summit a waste of time? | | | | areas that comply - we all breathe the same air, we |
| What did it achieve exactly and what is the way | | | | all rely on regular rainfall to enable our crops to grow, |
| forward. I appreciate that these summits that have | | | | we all want to live in areas that do not become too |
| occurred over the last decade or two are progress - | | | | hot for life to be bearable. I believe that |
| in that we have most of the world represented in | | | | unfortunately, the actions may end up being too little |
| one form or another. | | | | too late. We may get action as the waters of the |
| It is now generally accepted by the majority of the | | | | Thames lap at the steps of Westminster, but of |
| scientific community and most countries that climate | | | | course this will be way too late to stop the ravages |
| change is a fact and that we as a world need to do | | | | of climate change. |
| something about it. The frustrating thing about it is | | | | Action must be legally binding, with economic |
| that all it seems to achieve is a small step in the right | | | | penalties against those that do not comply. These |
| direction but nothing really major. I can imagine that | | | | would have to be harsh, so that they cannot be |
| many of the delegates found it extremely frustrating | | | | ignored. Possibly as extreme as all countries that are |
| that progress continues at a snail's pace. | | | | meeting the legal requirements will cease trade with |
| So what are the stumbling blocks? There are several, | | | | rogue states that do not comply. Yes this will cause |
| one of them is the fact that the developed world | | | | hardship. But gently persuasion is not working quickly |
| having discovered that their industries over the last | | | | enough. |
| two hundred years have caused the problem through | | | | Politicians need to stop worrying about losing votes |
| the over reliance on fossil fuels to power our | | | | and be brave, stand up and be counted - the stakes |
| economies. We, in the developed world than have | | | | are too high. However, if this is how our politicians |
| the arrogance, having discovered that we are the | | | | think, then we must use this to our advantage. |
| cause, to demand that developing countries do not | | | | Become involved. They work for us! Let them know |
| use these forms of energy to expand their | | | | that we are sick of being ignored and we aren't going |
| economies. We have an opportunity and perhaps a | | | | to take it anymore. Write/email your local MP or |
| duty to invest in renewable technology in the | | | | representative ask them how they stand on climate |
| developing world as well as our own. It is an | | | | change, if you get the usual waffle, let them know |
| opportunity, for the developing world to grow their | | | | that you will not be voting for them. Push the issue |
| economies using renewable resources and become | | | | of climate change up the list of priorities for our |
| the lead in this, perhaps even selling energy that they | | | | politicians - many of the political parties do not even |
| have produced back to the developed world! | | | | have it in the top ten issues to be dealt with. In the |
| The second issue is extremely important and is one | | | | UK it certainly does not figure in the top 10 issues for |
| of the reasons why decisions are hard to achieve at | | | | the conservative party for example. Yes, I |
| these international summits. Everyone is set on | | | | understand that the huge debt that has built up as a |
| making sure that their country continues to grow and | | | | result of bailing out corrupt and greedy individuals in |
| sometimes at the expense of other countries that | | | | the banking sector, but if climate change is not |
| do not have such a loud voice or indeed financial | | | | slowed; we may not have an economy to worry |
| clout. So what is the solution? Over the years the | | | | about. |
| world has become increasingly globalised - this is seen | | | | So, we look forward to the next summit in Mexico. |
| as good for business and to generate money. Why is | | | | As peoples of the world, we need to ensure that our |
| it that we cannot then look at the issue of climate | | | | representatives get a legally binding agreement, with |
| change from a globalised perspective? Make no | | | | penalties for those that do not comply. If this does |
| mistake, climate change will affect each and every | | | | not happen, the future for our children and |
| citizen of the world if action is not taken and soon. | | | | grandchildren will be bleak. They will look back and |
| The Copenhagen summit did produce a watery | | | | wonder why, when we had all of the information, |
| agreement that carbon emissions need to be | | | | that we sat by and let it happen. |
| reduced, but importantly it did not make this legally | | | | So what are you going to do now? I ask you to get |
| binding. It is of no use if even 25% of the countries | | | | on your email, write that letter, phone your |
| abide by this, as we need full consensus. Climate | | | | representative and make them listen and more |
| change will affect us all and will not be reduced in the | | | | importantly take action. |