Full feedAOSIS announces proposal to save us all
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| A globe here in the Bella Center in Copenhagen left off several of the Pacific island nations through an "oversight." Unfortunately, the globe also provides a glimpse of how the South Pacific might look if we don't get a strong and legally binding deal here at the UN climate summit. |
That’s well and aptly put, but far too modest. The members of AOSIS are some of the least-developed nations on Earth, including places like the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Papua New Guinea – nations that had virtually no role in creating the climate crisis but will suffer the most if global warming goes unchecked. It’s certainly true that safeguarding the Earth’s climate is key to these nations’ survival – but it’s equally true that it’s key to the survival of each and every nation on this planet.
The need for a legally binding agreement, as opposed to a politically binding agreement (which has lately been much touted by the US and other rich countries hoping to stall on making real commitments to take climate action), is evident enough, I think. But let me explain the “two-protocol” bit, because I realize that’s a bit technical.
What the AOSIS proposal would do is essentially two things: amend the Kyoto Protocol to extend it until 2017 (it currently is set to expire in 2012) and set new emissions targets for all parties; and simultaneously create a new “Copenhagen Protocol,” a legally binding agreement that would “enhance implementation of the [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)] in a balanced and comprehensive manner by addressing mitigation, adaptation, technology, financing and capacity-building support.”
6 August 2009 - Greenpeace activists scaled the 50-meter high coal loader at Hay Point Coal Terminal in Mackay, Australia and locked themselves on to the structure to stop its operation. The action took place during the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns, to demand the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stop risking the future of Pacific Islands by undermining real action on climate change and expanding Australia’s coal industry. © Greenpeace / Hamilton
Perhaps the most important element of the Copenhagen Protocol proposed by AOSIS, however, is that it would bring the US – the country that has contributed the most to climate change and continues to have the highest per-capita carbon emissions levels in the world – into the legally binding agreement.
In other words, the AOSIS proposal lays out the real deal that the world needs. Climate chaos does not respect national borders and does not discriminate between rich and poor nations. It will affect us all. Establishing a fair, ambitious, and legally binding treaty here in Copenhagen is a matter of survival for us all.
Comments
Till today I was among many who had not heard of Tuvalu. After reading about their gritty stand at COP - and their proposals which have predictably been attacked by the big and powerful amongst G 77[alas this includes India] - I just want to say we salute you and support you.
My husband plans to join me in my fast tomorrow - and we want to dedicate this to the courage and determination of Tuvalu and all those of the AOSIS and others who will be the first victims of the present rate of global warming
Posted by: Lalita Ramdas | December 11, 2009 6:05 PM
I think it is about time that the powerful nations be held accountable for all the damage they have caused in their raping and plundering of this planet in the name of capitalism. A tax should be imposed on the importing of wood by the USA forcing them to build houses with brick and mortar for instance. This will go along way to resolving global warming and deals with the real cause besides the ecological disasters that everyone has not even considered as yet.
Posted by: William Maliepaard | December 12, 2009 5:50 PM
South Pacific rightfully demands to be heard. Their cause is our responsibility
Posted by: George Skiadopoulos | December 13, 2009 7:43 AM