Copenhagen is over: our future in crisis?
Posted on 19. Dec, 2009 by Philip Ireland in Australia
For two years we have been talking about Copenhagen.
Two long years, campaigning for a fair, binding and ambitious deal. A real deal that would protect our planet’s environment and see justice for all humanity that depends upon it. These two years come at the end of seventeen years, since the Rio Summit, when the world established the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a framework designed to address the threat of climate change.
As I am writing this, I am in Copenhagen watching the talks in overtime. They have been running continuously for the past 48 hours as leaders scramble to produce something of substance.
Before reflecting on this outcome, lets go back to the beginning of the COP-15. During the opening of the conference, Christina Ora, a youth delegate from the Pacific, spoke prophetically to the powers of this world outlining her hopes and fears. She stated:
“I am 17 years old. For my entire life, countries have been negotiating a climate agreement. My future is in front of me. In the year that I was born, amid an atmosphere of hope, the world formed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to solve the climate crisis….
In the Solomon Islands, my homeland, communities on low-lying atolls are already being displaced by rising sea levels. Communities have lived on these atolls for generations. Moving from one province to another in the Solomon Islands is not just like moving house. Your land is your identity. It is part of your culture. It is who you are.
I am scared, and so too are the people from these atolls about what this means for our culture, our communities and our identity.
Because of climate change, I am uncertain about what is to come. How can I feel that my future is safe? How can I be sure that my home village won’t disappear in 10 years’ time? How can I be sure that my community won’t have to find a new home? How can I be sure that I will be able to raise my children in the same place that my mother and father raised me? I am not sure. I am scared and worried.
For my entire life, world leaders have been negotiating a climate agreement. They cannot tell me they need more time. There is no more time. I hope world leaders realise this week that my generation’s future is in the palm of their hands.”
These inspiring and unsettling words set a tone of urgency for the Copenhagen negotiations. They reflected the fears of millions of people living on the front line of the impacts of climate change. Climate change is proceeding at an alarming rate and required urgent action.
Copenhagen did not deliver what was necessary.
Let me take you through some of the key moments which led to this outcome.
In the final two days of the conference heads of state, including our own Kevin Rudd, were set to arrive and the negotiators were supposed to hand down some final suggestions for high level negotiation and agreement. In short, the suggested text in both the treaties seemed almost as contested as it was 2 years ago. There were major disagreements and public arguments.
At the end of what was a very rushed and confusing day President Obama emerged and announced the Copenhagen Accord, a non-legally binding political agreement. Within minutes of this press conference finishing the President was being whisked back to Air Force One to return back to America.
As the dust settled from this announcement and people could look at the substance of it, anger emerged as the accord failed to include any concrete or binding measures for emissions reductions. Some scientists at the talks said it would set the world on a path to 3.5 degrees of warming by 2100, which is dangerous and unpredictable. There was some provision for adaptation and mitigation in the developing world worth 10 billion US$ per annum to 2012 scaling up to 100 billion US$ per annum by 2020. However, where this money will be sourced from is not clear, and may come out of previously committed aid budget increases.
Developing nations that had not taken part in the US-led talks responded to the text with fury, saying 25-nation accord was an affront to the consensus principle that governs these UN talks.
In response to this situation, Michiel Schaeffer of Climate Analytics said: “It’s as though the last two years have not happened.”
UN climate chief Yvo de Boer told journalists, “We should have done better,”
A senior European environmentalist, John Lanchbery called the accord “a carefully managed collapse”
US President, Obama admitted in a rushed press briefing “instead of taking one step forward, we may have taken two steps back”.
This is a political failure.
World leaders were able to rally last year and spend trillions to save banks, but here in Copenhagen they failed to do what was necessary.
Leaders have failed to deliver the agreement they promised, the agreement we need to avoid catastrophic climate change that affects everyone, the agreement we need to help those already facing the risks of climate change.
At best, we are now confronted with a deadly delay that means unnecessary tragedy for millions of families. The impacts will be felt in every country, and will fall particularly hard on poor people in developing countries.
The time is now past urgent. The costs of inaction are mounting day by day, costs measured in lives, not just dollars. The science is clear, and we have the means. All we are missing is the will.
My journey campaigning for strong action on climate change here over the past few weeks, and in Australia over the past few years has had its highs, and perhaps more lows. This certainly qualifies as the lowest of lows. However, in reflection there are many positives we can take away from this.
The event set new precedents.
Copenhagen was the largest international negotiation ever.
Never before has civil society engaged so significantly on an international issue. Never before have members from the Global South and Global North come together so strongly to rally for the same cause.
This movement has mobilised millions of people around the globe to demand justice of our national and international leaders for the sake of the poor. It has highlighted the great inequality of our world, and cultivated passion for change.
After a few weeks of rest, we must regroup, reenergise and reemerge as a stronger movement. A movement, that despite momentary weariness, will persevere for as long as it takes to see justice come.
I for one, will be there.
Tracking for you for my last time…probably,
Phil
Great work commentators!!!
Thanks for keeping us informed and inspired throughout all the negotiations Phil. While right now I feel sad, really disappointed and tired. I pledge to continue to campaign for strong climate action in 2010!
Together, the global movement can only grow stronger.
Very disappointed in Aus leaders. Obviously they dont understand the seriousness of the problems. Nor do they seem to know how much technology is already out there to fix things or how many jobs these new technologies will create. They are all so locked into how the past has operated that they cant conceive any other way for the future.
I’ve only recently started to dig into the information available on climate change. Keep up the great work! I’m a supporter and newbie activist.
Thank you Phil for keeping us informed and creating another outlet for our voices to be heard.
I too pledge to keep the pressure on for real climate action in 2010! :)
Carina, I think Greg Craven presents a great argument for our cause. You might want to have a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg
if the leaders of our nations cant even make a legally binding agreement on something as important as the state of the FUTURE of their nations, then they dont deserve to be in charge. it is absolutely unacceptable that the very people who are fighting to save the world – are the opposite of the people running it.
my only comfort is that small groups of people indeed truly are, the only people who ever change the world.so keep it up climate trackers!
Indeed the results at Copenhagen are extremely disappointing. No doubt everyone will have theories on who is to blame. But critically we need to focus on the problem at home.
With the turnover to the right in the Opposition I fear that we have the possiblility of the vociferous deniers taking the upper hand in the debate and swinging public opinion towards them. Whenever Abbott or Joyce speak of an ETS or of emmission targets they use the word TAX. This is entrenching a fear in public mind.
The Government, for whatever faults people may attribute to it, had its hands tied with whom it could negotiate. It could never hope for much from a divided Opposition and it got even less.
So we must put pressure on the Opposition members who do have an environmental conscience to regain the upper hand so that they will negotiate something meaniful (rather than Abbott’s latest suggestion of planting trees on non arable land)
I pledge to keep the politicians accountable in 2010 and will continue to inform them of their responsibility to reduce emissions urgently to secure a safe climate future!
Together we will get a positive deal, we just have to keep applying the pressure. Thanks for the updates, and representing us all at Copenhagen. The deal fell far short of what we all wanted, but let’s not forget what an historical thing happened here when all the world leaders came together to address this issue – they’ve done it because people power won’t let them forget about it. Let’s keep up the pressure.
I have nearly finished reading James Hansen’s Book, Sorms of My Grandchildren.Based on what I have read in it, I will certainly do my best to help keep up the pressure.
Thank you, Phil for your reports and for personally conveying to our delegates the sense of urgency that many people feel about climate change. I am deeply disappointed in the failure of world leaders to represent the people they serve and actually move forward from Kyoto. I can’t help but ask why leaders were so keen to show up but so inadequately prepared to reach a real agreement? Clearly I missed something in the news reports about ‘first world’ delegates agreeing that something should be done and ‘developing world’ delegates pleading for something to be done. Did I not accurately detect the public support shown by the demonstrations from NGOs on the ground, or by the mass 350 and Walk Against Warming rallies held in all major cities? It seemed to me like the whole world wants a solution, but somehow our political systems and the leaders involved just aren’t set up to protect us in time. Now that they’re back from Copenhagen, they have too many other local issues to sort out. They have economies to run. They have constituents’ jobs to protect. Personally, I’m getting a bit worn out showing my public support for a cooler climate. I’ve changed my share of the world’s lightbulbs and all that is left for me to do is to vote for a leader that will rise head and shoulders above the rest and move this country forward to a new era of sustainable economies. It’s my last weapon, and it will be used.
I’m afraid that lofty sentiments such as caring for poorer nations won’t achieve as much as disasters that financially affect those nations that have the greatest power and influence.
I’m feeling deflated and sad and impotent.
But I can’t give up, we’ll just have to keep working next year…
We always have ourselves to act. Act locally to impact globally. If leaders fail then people have to do it themselves. Drop our standard of living, it won’t hurt much – work hard, expect only a healthy planet and people for reward. It will happen it’s up to humans how long it takes.
I would like to voice my concern as a Torres Strait Islander woman. As mentioned by Christina our islands right here in our own backyard are in the same position. I would like to mentioned in particular Saibai Island of the Torres Strait Islands.
search resultsLateline – 07/12/2009: Torres Strait islands at risk from climate change
Queenslands Torres Strait island communities say their pleas for funding to aid with problems caused by climate change have been ignored by the Australian Government
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2764521.htm – Cached
Garrett considers Torres Strait climate aid – ABC News (Australian …
The Australian Government will consider a request to provide about $22 million in climate change mitigation aid to the Torres Strait Islands.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/09/2766640.htm – Cached
Torres Strait Islands ‘first victims’
Torres News – News for the Torres Strait and Cape York Northern … Torres Strait Islands communities are among the first “official victims of climate change” …
http://www.torresnews.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255 – Cached
Torres Strait affected by climate change
Torres News – News for the Torres Strait and Cape York Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) … Climate change is likely to affect the Torres Strait Islands sooner and more …
http://www.torresnews.com.au/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=495 – Cached
[PDF] Climate Change in the Torres Strait, Australia
138k – Adobe PDF – View as html
and Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait region. comprises of hundreds of islands, 18 of which are … Torres Strait Islanders from the effects of climate …
http://www.ciel.org/Publications/Climate/CaseStudy_TorresStraitAus_Dec07.pdf
ABC Radio Australia News:Stories:Australia considers Torres Strait …
The Australian Government will consider a request to provide about $US20 million in climate change mitigation aid to the Torres Strait Islands.
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200912/2766213.htm?desktop – Cached
ABC Radio Australia News:Stories:Australia’s sinking islands
Australia’s Torres Strait Islanders say their pleas for climate change aid are going … Torres Strait Islands climate change. Created: 08/12/2009. Jeff Waters …
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200912/2764980.htm – Cached
Garrett considers Torres Strait climate aid – Yahoo!7 News
The Australian Government will consider a request to provide about $22 million in climate change mitigation aid to the Torres Strait Islands.
au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/…/garrett-considers-torres-strait-climate-aid – 78k – Cached
Climate change ‘affecting Torres Strait’ – Yahoo!7 News
… Torres Strait Islanders who say they are feeling the effects of climate … islands that may be the first to experience the big challenge of climate change, …
au.news.yahoo.com/a/…/6591052/climate-change-affecting-torres-strait – 76k – Cached
[PDF] Climate impacts on TSI culture_report
1266k – Adobe PDF – View as html
… Climate Change Affect Island Culture in. the in the Torres Strait? Donna … Torres Strait Island communities are vulnerable to climate change in part due to …
http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/greendl_2006a.pdf
We have to keep trying to get our voice heard, keep up the pressure, Regards helen
As an older Australian I am buoyed by the comments of so many younger Australians. Keep fighting people. You are our future. The pollies have let us down but you have given us hope. Pam and Jim
Thanks for all your comments! its great to hear that so many people are committed to the cause.
I’m preparing a letter to the Australian Government on behalf of the outer atoll communities to the east of Bougainville and New Ireland in Papua New Guinea. These atolls are sinking and awash and climate change must surely be a major contributing factor. I want to know what Australia is going to do to help these communities. The idea that Australia no longer has an obligation to these atoll communities that it abandoned in 1975 is obscene! Yes, the atolls now belong to Papua New Guinea, but even if PNG had the will to help these remote atoll communities, it doesn’t have the resources. In my opinion, the buck still stops with the colonial power that handed the atolls over to the new nation of PNG on its Independence Day in 1975… without consultation.
I have been writing letters & emails to PM Rudd, Senators Wong & Garrett & Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, before, during & after Copenhagen. This week, New Matilda online magazine published my article, One Grandmother’s Question To The Prime Minister.
I will certainly continue to put the pressure on our politicians in the months ahead!
Thanks for your dedication, keep up the good work.
We can only keep moving forward,we have no choice if we want to leave a habitable world for future generations, with or without the help of governments. It’s a pity Copenhagen wasn’t held on Tuvalu.
Hi. Just wanted to suggest a news story from The Guardian, claiming that China sabotaged Copenhagen:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/22/copenhagen-climate-change-mark-lynas
Fascinating story from The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/22/copenhagen-climate-change-mark-lynas
Hey Phil
Thanks for keeping me informed over the last few depressing (unfortunately!) weeks. You did a great job.
The Copenhagen result was immensely disappointing, but did anyone really expect our Prime Minister would do any better? He may not be a sceptic, but his vision of what is possible is very small, and limited by vested interests. We need politicians who are truly committed to solving this problem, not just pretending to do something. We need The Australian Greens. Can I suggest you check out their Safe Climate Bill at http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/the-safe-climate-bills. I will be keeping up the pressure on our leaders next year. There is no alternative.
The Rudd government has its own agenda which doesn’t include input from other areas – apart from the fossil fuel industry. Despite a ground swell of public opinion in favor of diversification from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the Rudd government won’t listen and the other main political party is not only obstructionist but a home to fools and charlatans.
Thanks Phil and OXFAM, As we move into these unprecedented times and with our political systems faltering under duress the support and acknowledgment that we give to each other will help build our brave new world the way we want it for us all. Great work, Cheers.
The Rudd government has an agenda which precludes opposition to a fossil fuel based economic policy. This means an incremental increase in CO2 levels which is unsustainable. The CPRS scheme, even if it had been put into practice, would have only been a futile pretence or stopgap. Although it is obvious to most that their must be diversification immediately into renewables as an energy source to become the basis for a new economy, and fossil fuels are left fuels left underground, we will have no hope of ever arriving at a relatively safe level of atmospheric pollution.
15,000,000+ of us have been activated by the magnificent efforts of you and an unprecedented number of others joining together to work for a just outcome. Sadly our leaders lack the will at present to take the required action however as an African activist said “an elephant is hard to move but once it starts to move you can’t stop it – the elephant is moving!”
Thank you so much for you and your team’s outstanding efforts. I will be right with you as the elephant moves forward.
Go Phil!
While Copenhagen’s Accord seemed devastating, we MUST keep up our hopes. At least climate change is now a global focus. The momentum from this could accelerate local climate-friendly actions in communities all around the world. If the national governments can’t do it, the People WILL! See the new Australian Academy of Science report, AUSTRALIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE, for a great science-backed strategy towards low-carbon economies.
I wonder if President Obama really realises the truth of his words that we have gone two steps backwards. This is a disappointment but we can only keep trying, no matter how much climate change is now appearing to leave the minds of politicians…but what else can WE do?
Thank you for all your hard work Phil. The disappointing result at Copenhagen has confirmed what I always believed – that real action on climate change will be never be driven by the politicians. We must drive that change ourselves – and 2009 proved to be a major leap forward in that process at a global scale. We just have to keep pushing and pushing until the politicians have no choice but to follow.
I’d like to live in hope. Just when we thought the earth would fry from the expanding hole in the ozone, nations rallied to form the Montreal Treaty back in 1982. This treaty not only ceased the use of CFCs, but proved that the global community can congregate to solve a common crisis. I hope that our leaders will be shamed on their return home (this is where we all fit in) and return to international discussions next year with a resolve to set real targets and strategies to achieve them.
Now, if only they could ban the burning fossil fuels!!
Hi, bit blue about Copenhagen, I read a lot of articles from IPS on environment and civil rights to keep me better informed. Challenge to everyone, for the last nine years we have not used heating or cooling in our house, adapting happens pretty quickly and only a few days a year you are uncomfortable, but more in touch with the environment.
Thanks for informing us about the Solomon Islands but not enough is being done to highlight the same problems happening in our own country in the Torres Strait Islands. The same issues affecting our Torres Strait brothers & sisters but being ignored!
It is not about holding out for a ‘better deal’ for US, if our children and this planet have to suffer for it. Do more than you HAVE to, to encourage the greedy to do their bit.
Thanks Phil, you are doing really necessary work keeping us all informed.
I’ve been aware of our climate problem for over 30 years and it’s difficult to keep hope in my heart when I see the world leaders ignoring our future again and again. BUT it’s people like you who help keep the hope alive.
I’ll be with you in 2010.
Thankyou for this wake up call. I will be putting a lot more effort into creating change in 2010. God Bless
Despite the shameful failure at Copenhagen, and earlier in Australia when an over-cautious ETS was rejected by the Senate, I’ll maintain hope and do whatever I can to influence nations to bring down emissions in 2010.
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