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2009/12/14
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Copenhagen take aways

by admin — posted at Dec 14, 2009 04:58 PM last modified Dec 14, 2009 04:58 PM

Key messages from Copenhagen

  • Climate change is a reality, no matter what you believe about the causes (though to be honest there seems little doubt from the evidence I saw in Copenhagen).

  • We will see change in our lifetime even if we stabalised CO2 emissions immediately. This is primarily due to the lag in the climate system (estimated to be about 30 years).
  • We don't really know by how much temperatures will rise (2 degrees?, 6 degrees?), nor the full extent of the change that will result, but we better plan for change.
  • If you think CO2 is bad, think again, think Methane. Methane is many many times more powerful as a climate change agent than CO2. CO2 is however a vital link in the chain, that could end in Methane being released into the atmosphere when the Permafrost melts. The reason for urgency in limiting CO2 given by almost everyone we spoke to is to prevent significantly methane release through melting of the Arctic permafrost.
  • If we do nothing, the world will survive. The planet is not in danger of exploding. The degree to which we act however determines how much and how badly things get for various species including our own. Change is needed not to save the planet by ourselves.

    • Protest against the Violent Protestors

    Having returned to Belgium from Copenhagen it is disappointing to hear that the vast majority of people I've spoken to start the conversation about the "violent protestors".

    There were tens of thousands of demonstrators (numbers vary depending on who you ask), and of those only a very small percentage were arrested (many proactively, some post actively if you know what I mean).

    The sadest part is that, the focus and the story that the rest of the world has about Copenhagen have been monopolised by a small percentage who have done more harm to the cause than good.

    Do I blame the media, NO, that would be too easy. Media companies want to make money afterall.

    I blame those "protestors" that tried intentionally to steal the limelight and media attention from the bigger picture, offering those media companies "profits on a platter" by giving them an easy way to sell the story. Ironically, some of those same protestors had anti capitalist and anti profit messages, meanwhile their activities have actually served to enhance sales through a negative message, as opposed to a positive one.

    It would have been much better, in my opinion, if the media companies had been forced to work for their sales by finding and write about the true story of Copenhagen, namely that there is a large and growing call for everyone to be responsible and take action.

    Seeing is believing (or if you don't believe, see for yourself)

    I would encourage everyone to view the time lapse videos of James Balog and his team (Extreme Ice Survey).

    If that's not good enough, we'd happily hear from you and come make a presentation and engage in discussion.

    Bottom Line

    Politicians: Need to set the framework and regulations in place.

    Business / Industry: Needs to adapt their business practices.

    Public: Need to / will be forced to adapt their lifestyles.

    This fits the PCO Mission, Objectives and Strategy...

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    Conferences & Exhibitions
    The URL to Trackback this entry is:
    http://www.polarconservation.org/publications/cop15-un-climate-change-conference-copenhagen-2009/copenhagen-take-aways/tbping
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