Cancun Climate Change 2010 review

 

by Emma Pointing

For many, the latest round-up of the United Nations talks on Climate Change in Cancun Mexico, brought forward a sense of apathy. Some assume that the opportunity was one- again missed to seal a definitive deal to combat climate change, as Ban Ki- moon, the head of the UN warns the world that ‘nature will not wait while we negotiate.’ However, in a bid to make positive changes for now and the foreseeable future, government officials and environment ministers from 193 nations did conclude with a portion of viable agreements. The worthy negotiations on financing emission reductions, deforestation and helping developing countries directly affected by climate impacts reveals a definite step forward in the right direction. It’s to see the very fact of an alliance that’s of importance here which will hopefully generate a world that is more resourceful and kind to the planet.

Tackling Climate Change

Climate change is a complex issue and continues to be a subject of intense public and political debate. It can only be tackled through co-operation and acting together collectively: no one country is responsible nor can a country’s efforts alone be satisfactory. For years, certain nations and governments have maintained an unwilling blasé attitude towards tackling this global problem. But whether its been a case of ‘ignorance is bliss’ or hopelessness and fear, evidence consistently reveals that it is and will result in the increase of severe repercussions. Kumi Naidoo, the Executive Director for Greenpeace International insists that if we don’t change soon, everyone will face the harsh consequences. She says,

‘Climate change knows no borders, it does not discriminate. The rising tide of climate impacts, be they economic, environmental or humanitarian will effect each and every one of us- rich and poor. Here in Cancun,
government ministers can still chose to steer us towards a bright and safe future.’

Scientific evidence does not only continually reveal the adverse effects on the environment from climate change but it also reveals the rapid occurrence of them too. Sea levels are rising due to melting glacier ice in Polar regions, threatening coastal communities, wetlands and coral reefs. Globally, the 2000’s was the warmest decade in England since records began in 1850 and the judgement from climate experts is that they could rise between 1.1- 6.4 degrees by the end of the 21st century. The exact amount depends on the level of future greenhouse gas emissions that are emitted by mankind into the atmosphere. Alongside this, rainfall in England over the last 45 years has also risen, costing Britain £1 billion a year to cover environment consequences. In 2009, some areas, like Cumbria, witnessed and suffered from widespread flooding and globally, extreme floods, droughts and tropical storms, like Hurricane Katrina, are proving to be more vicious and frequent.

Copenhagen v.s Cancun

Last year’s conference in Copenhagen, the biggest gathering of world leaders to date, was marked as a painful anticlimactic event. Due to several influential governments retrieving vital keys in efforts to beat climate change, their lackadaisical performance fizzled out quickly with frustration and anger. Once again, world leaders failed to formulate any commitments to emission cuts. Perhaps it was a case of good intentions gone wrong, but it left the world sceptical with more questions than answers. Unlike the conference in Cancun, leaders wanted their voices to be heard but yet no- one really wanted to listen. It saw the unambitious US and China buckle under pressure and withdraw their pledges. This was then followed by a response from other countries- Australia, Brazil, Korea and Japan- who then decided to cop out too. The conclusive round-up, after months of planning and negotiating, highlighted Copenhagen’s meeting as nothing more than a successful failure.

But after Cancun, the race to produce a greener world is back on track.

Seal of Approval

Learning some vital lessons from last year’s messy encounter, which was a catastrophe in itself, the two- week accord held at the Moon Palace hotel indeed put to rest critical doubt over the future of whether multilateral negotiations really do work.

Cancun’s Climate Change conference 2010 successfully called for a recommitment to the Kyoto Protocol. The UN agreed to see the only existing climate treaty commit all major economies to greenhouse gas and emission cuts. The real significance lies within the willingness of developing economies- China, Brazil, South Korea and others- to cut down on emitting harmful emissions too. The commitment certainly reversed that negative momentum that was produce from last year’s debacle. Visible to all, governments clashed rigorously over who was more responsible for emitting emissions and who inevitably needed to cut down the most. However, with the Kyoto Protocol due to end in 2012, a new legally- binding emission commitment urgently needs to be formed, making next year’s summit in Durban, South Africa ever so crucial.

David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, who led the way to show the importance of honouring the Kyoto Protocol, insisted that:

‘Now the world must deliver on its promises. I am clear that Britain will meet its international obligations. This will be the greenest government ever. And I will continue to make the case for a global, comprehensive and
legally- binding climate agreement.’

A new plan to generate £60 billion by 2020 through a green climate fund to help protect vulnerable countries from global warming was also agreed upon. In a bid to preserve forests and beat deforestation that accounts for almost a fifth of global annual emissions, this scheme will also see the progress of overseeing countries to find out whether they are meeting obliged promises.
Furthermore, governments have agreed to boost the action of capping future increases of temperature at 2 degrees Celsius to avoid damaging effects of global warming. But many criticise this idea of stabilising temperatures for being way too abstract that primarily relies upon all nations putting greater emphasis- and more costly efforts into making valuable change.

Nevertheless, whatever the critics assume, the commitments made in Cancun are clear and finally agreed upon. Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary views the deals that were approved from the 193 nations as ‘the most significant package overall since the (1997) Kyoto Protocol.’

The Future Ahead

It’s clear that many people were left disappointed after the Cancun conclusion and criticise the 193 nations for not delivering any definitive ‘legally- binding’ confirmation. And whilst they have the absolute right to feel that way, the significance of what has been done in Cancun is a vast improvement, unparalleled to the memories of Copenhagen. Keith Allot, WWF Head of Climate Change said, ‘despite some last minute hiccups, countries leave here with a renewed sense of goodwill and some sense of purpose.’

Combating climate impacts that wreak havoc on the environment, economy and humanity isn’t accomplished in a day. It’s a challenging complex issue and very unlike dealing with, let’s say, an economic crisis. If governments remain forward- driven and the agreements are implemented for all then science experts believe that global emissions will start to peak by 2020. This fundamental, eco- friendly step forward will result in a decline of emitting such poisonous gases that choke the planet. Its essential for countries and governments to remain positive, especially in the run- up to Durban 2011. The real danger of failure lies within occurring political pessimism and the climate sceptics that prove fatal in spreading further doubt and unwillingness amongst the public. With revived courage and determination, Cancun Climate Change 2010 is a good- enough reason to be more confident and hopeful for the future ahead.

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