Hope has been fading, despite many dubbing it as the Hopenhagen summit! Ever since the US indicated its unwillingness to get a domestic legislation on emissions through before the December meet. Ever since reports seemed to hint that Obama would not make it to Copenhagen.
Being the top polluter till recently, and still the top in per capita terms, the world naturally looks to the US to take a lead.
But now in what could be a (welcome) surprise, White House officials told the Politico that the US plans to propose a near-term emissions reduction target as part of a “meaningful submission” the country will present at the talks. Even a target could be set.
The target, according to BBC, is expected to be in line with figures contained in legislation before the Senate — a reduction of about 17-20% from 2005 levels by 2020. Nothing big but an encouraging sign, alongwith reports that Obama may still make it to the meet.
And just in case, you are seeking more conclusive evidence of global warming, researchers of the UK's National Oceanography Centre, Southampton say that the widespread loss of glacial ice in the Antarctic Peninsula is unprecedented in the past 14,000 years.
That conclusion is based on detailed analysis of the thickest Holocene sediment core yet drilled in the Antarctic Peninsula. Radiocarbon dating of which reveals the oldest sediments in the core being 14.1 to 14.8 thousand years old.
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What the US proposes is hardly anything, given that the rest of the world is calling upon it for 40percent reductions in emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. Are symbolic offerings enough at such a time? No. Nor pledges for domestic targets that have no international binding.
When the biggest perpetrator of the world’s biggest calamity is unwilling to make significant amends, why would the rest, bother? Willingness to change must come from the US.
Reaffirming the Kyoto principle of “common but differentiated responsibility,” is necessary for global justice.
Hopefully, Copenhagen will see the strengthening of global advocacy network to bring about the kind of transformative social change we need now.
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