With all the reports, controversy, and rumors that have been swirling over the past two weeks, it's been a challenge keeping up with and making sense of what really went down in Copenhagen. Various parties involved hold very contrasting views over how negotiations turned out. China, UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon and even the vulnerable country of Bangladesh took a positive outlook, while Sweden, Bolivia, Brazil and others felt the resolution was unacceptable and demanded much stronger regulations and emissions cuts than what the U.S.-brokered "Copenhagen Accord", reached Saturday, calls for. Nonetheless, here is an attempt to break down the accord, in terms of both potential pros and cons:
PROS: During negotiations major countries, including China, the U.S., India and Europe, agreed that the risks of climate change could not be left unchecked. Included in the final Copenhagen Accord was a goal to restrict global temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees Celsius. Another section of the accord covers the commitment to support climate change adaptation projects in developing countries through a collective international fund of $100 billion per year until 2020.
CONS: The non-legally binding Copenhagen Accord, however, was not adopted by the UN -- only "taken note of" -- and it was not supported by all countries represented at negotiations. The accord was labeled by the Sudanese Chairman of the G77, the largest developing country bloc represented at the COP15, as comparable to a "suicide pact" -- which he would not be entering into. Also, the accord's emissions targets do not fall in line with what science says is necessary to actually meet the goal of keeping global temperature rise under 2 degrees Celsius.
While this may be oversimplifying things, all in all it seems that though hopes for a global treaty were high prior to last week's summit (a potential climax of decades of debate), realistic expectations were probably quite a bit lower. Perhaps a more realistic goal for the close of Copenhagen was the laying of groundwork necessary to continue talks of a binding treaty into 2010. This goal may indeed have been realized, as historically speaking no preceding summit has reached such a consensus on the urgency of climate change. As stated by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, "We now have a package to work with and begin immediate action.” Only time will tell.
For more on the summit outcome via a first-hand account from the Mother Nature Network's blogger Karl Burkart, click here.
Update for Saturday's Climate Justice Stunt
The time has come to make our big push on global leaders in Copenhagen, and demand that they deliver a fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement next week at the close of the summit!As a reminder, we will be gathering Saturday in downtown San Francisco from 12-4pm, to ask passersby to sign giant holiday cards, wishing our global leaders a happy holiday and asking them for a REAL DEAL, which we will then be photographing and sending to representatives in order to add San Francisco to the list of cities taking action around this important issue.
TWO THINGS TO NOTE:
1) Due to the unfortunate forecast, we have been forced to find a back-up location for where we can do this stunt. IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, we will be convening under the overhang outside the Virgin Records store (2 Stockton, cross streets Ellis/Market). If for some reason it DOES NOT RAIN, we will be gathering at the ORIGINAL LOCATION (corner of Stockton/Geary, Union Square steps). Please check the sky before attempting to find us! We will be in one of these two places, only 2 blocks apart.
2) For those interested in actively VOLUNTEERING with us tomorrow (a.k.a. holding signs/cards, handing out candy/buttons, gathering signatures), please come in your fanciest holiday attire. This includes: reindeer ears, elf hats/shoes/stockings, Santa hats, Hanukka pins, ugly holiday sweaters, or anything else you have to express your holiday spirit of choice and draw attention. We will have a few Oxfam t-shirts on hand, face paint and extra flare if you have none or forget yours. And remember to dress warmly!
By participating in the event tomorrow you will be joining a global action of thousands (maybe even millions) of concerned citizens, so we hope to see you Saturday!
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