Expectations and realities in Copenhagen
By Wangari Maathai
December 9, 2009
Regions, blocks and individual countries have many, if different expectations, in Copenhagen. Africa, which scientists say will be the most negatively impacted by climate change, is expecting that rich developed countries will commit to a legally-binding agreement. That agreement is expected to ensure that the rich countries provide finances so that the poor countries can mitigate and adapt to climate change. Finances would allow the poor countries to access technology improve their capacity and sustain their livelihoods.
The group of 77 and China negotiate cooperatively and push pressure on the rich countries to agree to an ambitious and fair deal. This is because the rich countries are largely responsible for the emissions, which come from their lifestyles, which largely depend on burning of fossil fuels.
Non-industrialized countries, many of which are in Africa, have contributed a negligible amount of greenhouse gases precisely because they are not developed and therefore, use little that is generated from fossil fuels. It is not a position one would rather be in!
It is therefore, necessary for the poor countries to appreciate that they have to also develop, and that their destiny is not to remain underdeveloped forever. They would, however, have to adopt a development path that will also make it possible to make economic progress in the way their colleagues in China, India, Brazil and South Africa have done, albeit using high-carbon energy source. They too are being urged to reduce their emissions and shift to cleaner energy sources.
Unless the poor countries commit to development, they will continue to be under-developed and they will not be able to improve the quality of life of their people. Yet, any path that continues to encourage growth and use of fossil fuels will generate disquiet. It is for this reason that these poor countries need financial help, capacity building and transfer of not only available, but also affordable technology.
The developed countries have a big job convincing their citizens, including the legislators, that supporting poor countries so that they mitigate and adapt to changes in climate is important. Many citizens appreciate the need to do things at domestic level, but may not appreciate doing it in a big way at the global level. For that reason education of citizens is very important both in rich and poor countries and resources will be needed to carry out such education.
Ordinary citizens can do much to implement simple initiatives that would contribute to mitigation and adaptation and also make a difference in their lives. Here in Copenhagen the use of the bicycle seems to be a matter of choice and up to 35% of Danes use bicycles to move about. The government has created beautiful cycle ways to encourage citizens to use them, without risking their lives. I wish the Kenya government could do the same for the cyclists and those who walk in cities and towns of our country as part of the strategy to low-carbon development pathway.
The other initiatives that are do-able even in developing countries are effective public transport that would take care of millions of people who otherwise have to use their cars. Kenya could ensure that cars imported into the country have efficient engines. This could be achieved by rewarding through tax reduction on cars that whose engines are more efficient. Those who can should start using organic foods and cut on inorganic fertilizers.
Other activities could include mandatory planting of indigenous or fruit trees on farms as recently suggested by Minister Michuki of Environment and Mineral Resources. Also, rehabilitating and protecting indigenous forests, protecting rivers and wetlands. The shamba system, cultivation of food crops and grazing of livestock in forests should be abandoned.
Discussions here in Copenhagen are a matter of life and death for the poor countries, which are drifting towards devastation and death. However, the rescue must start with them, starting with what is do-able and affordable. The international community will help, but people must learn to be self-reliant and reduce dependency syndrome. There are so many things that citizens can do right now without any help from the international community. However, they need to be lead by their governments and leaders. That is why I strongly support the leadership that the Prime Minister has demonstrated over the Mau forest in particular.
The group of 77 and China negotiate cooperatively and push pressure on the rich countries to agree to an ambitious and fair deal. This is because the rich countries are largely responsible for the emissions, which come from their lifestyles, which largely depend on burning of fossil fuels.
Non-industrialized countries, many of which are in Africa, have contributed a negligible amount of greenhouse gases precisely because they are not developed and therefore, use little that is generated from fossil fuels. It is not a position one would rather be in!
It is therefore, necessary for the poor countries to appreciate that they have to also develop, and that their destiny is not to remain underdeveloped forever. They would, however, have to adopt a development path that will also make it possible to make economic progress in the way their colleagues in China, India, Brazil and South Africa have done, albeit using high-carbon energy source. They too are being urged to reduce their emissions and shift to cleaner energy sources.
Unless the poor countries commit to development, they will continue to be under-developed and they will not be able to improve the quality of life of their people. Yet, any path that continues to encourage growth and use of fossil fuels will generate disquiet. It is for this reason that these poor countries need financial help, capacity building and transfer of not only available, but also affordable technology.
The developed countries have a big job convincing their citizens, including the legislators, that supporting poor countries so that they mitigate and adapt to changes in climate is important. Many citizens appreciate the need to do things at domestic level, but may not appreciate doing it in a big way at the global level. For that reason education of citizens is very important both in rich and poor countries and resources will be needed to carry out such education.
Ordinary citizens can do much to implement simple initiatives that would contribute to mitigation and adaptation and also make a difference in their lives. Here in Copenhagen the use of the bicycle seems to be a matter of choice and up to 35% of Danes use bicycles to move about. The government has created beautiful cycle ways to encourage citizens to use them, without risking their lives. I wish the Kenya government could do the same for the cyclists and those who walk in cities and towns of our country as part of the strategy to low-carbon development pathway.
The other initiatives that are do-able even in developing countries are effective public transport that would take care of millions of people who otherwise have to use their cars. Kenya could ensure that cars imported into the country have efficient engines. This could be achieved by rewarding through tax reduction on cars that whose engines are more efficient. Those who can should start using organic foods and cut on inorganic fertilizers.
Other activities could include mandatory planting of indigenous or fruit trees on farms as recently suggested by Minister Michuki of Environment and Mineral Resources. Also, rehabilitating and protecting indigenous forests, protecting rivers and wetlands. The shamba system, cultivation of food crops and grazing of livestock in forests should be abandoned.
Discussions here in Copenhagen are a matter of life and death for the poor countries, which are drifting towards devastation and death. However, the rescue must start with them, starting with what is do-able and affordable. The international community will help, but people must learn to be self-reliant and reduce dependency syndrome. There are so many things that citizens can do right now without any help from the international community. However, they need to be lead by their governments and leaders. That is why I strongly support the leadership that the Prime Minister has demonstrated over the Mau forest in particular.
No comments:
Post a Comment