Kevin Rudd is coming to the party
Posted on 13. Nov, 2009 by Philip Ireland in Australia
Kevin Rudd will take his place at Copenhagen | Philip Ireland
Its official.
Kevin Rudd has announced that he will come to Copenhagen.
This is good news. With world leaders, comes more world leaders, greater negotiating power, greater publicity and most importantly (but not certainly) greater outcomes.
Many of us in Australia have been pushing for the Prime Minister to attend these talks and I would like to acknowledge and congratulate him on this step.
I must say, I also liked the language the Prime Minister was using at the press conference. He stated:
“The Copenhagen meeting represents a critical moment in international efforts to reach a robust agreement on global action to tackle climate change,”
Yep. I agree.
“With only weeks to go, time is running out, time is running out for us all, time is also running out for the planet,”
Absolutely.
“we need action for the sake of our children, we need action for the sake of our grandchildren.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Given the sense of urgency in these words and recognition that we need ‘robust’ (that’s such a Kevin word) action, I look forward to what the Australian Government is going to put on the table at Copenhagen.
I look forward to the Prime Minister breaking his silence on climate financing and offering substantial money (we’re talking billions), that is new and additional to current aid and aid commitments.
I look forward to the Prime Minister announcing much stronger greenhouse gas reduction targets that will inspire the rest of the world to go further
I look forward to the Prime Minister listening to and being changed by the voices from the Least Developed Countries and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Voices that are calling for action that stabilises greenhouse gases well below 450 ppm which is where the Australian legislation is currently targeting (in its very best case scenario).
Prime Minister, we NEED your action for the sake of millions around the globe who cannot take strong action themselves. We need your voice to amplify the voice of the poor from this generation and in the generations to come.
The current mitigation and adaptation policies and plans the Australian Government currently has on the table do not reflect the urgency of the climate crisis, nor do they reflect the Prime Ministers words.
Let us hope and pray that our Prime Minister is convicted enough to take not just strong words, but strong actions to Copenhagen.
For the sake of the environment, and all humanity that depends on it.
I suppose if he forgets his words, or the reality which they represented, we will be there to remind him and Penny Wong and Wayne Swan and Malcolm Turnbull and every Australian politician.
For the sake of the environment, and all humanity that depends on it.
Peace,
Phil.
Thanks for the update Phil! That was quick blogging indeed.
I sure hope the prime minister ups the ante and commits Australia to stronger action.
Thanks for the update Phil, I love your use of “Ruddisms”!!
I get so confused by Rudd’s strong use of language which I often find myself nodding along to and the clearly conflicting climate policies he has proposed.
I wouldn’t invite friends round for a dinner party, tell them that I am going to cook the most delicious feast ever and then serve up some stale bread. That’s kind of what Rudd is doing, promising to act for the sake of future generations and then only offering 450ppm which gives us only a 50% chance of avoiding runaway climate change.
I’m glad he’s off to Copenhagen, but I want to see him pack some ambitious climate policies that will really protect our futures in with his wolly socks and hair dryer.
Thanks for you comments Cara and Jesse! You raise some great points Cara… I too find the 450 ppm argument difficult to stomach.
Kevin Rudd is making all the right noises
Lets hope he also makes the right choices
With his position as friend of the chair
He may get a treaty which is just and fair
He may get a treaty that is and safe and strong
Anything else would just be wrong
Thanks for the update phil. This is great news as it will draw more media attention to the summit and put more pressure on the Rudd government, and other world leaders. Hopefully the other leaders will show up, and announce some serious targets.
It will be great to finally hear about financing, and lets hope its good news.
Thanks again phil!
ps. i apologise that my comments do not rhyme… very impressive paddy!