Climate Talks Must Yield A Comprehensive Climate Package
Ochieng M.K
Nairobi, Kenya.
As we set our eyes on COP15 in apparent reference to the forth-coming Climate Justice negotiations in Copenhagen, it suffices to embolden the connection between global discussions and the local circumstances and related factors. After all it is one world, one climate and one people. This is the message en-route to COP15 as world leaders and delegates ensemble in Copenhagen ahead of the climate talks. It is common knowledge that local factors and circumstances are instrumental in defining and directing global climate. Consequently, what affects one country directly affects all countries either directly or indirectly especially in so far as climate issues are instrumental.
A cursory glance at the vicissitudes of global climate confirm that the global ecosystem/global climate or Mother Earth is increasingly under threat from forces of depletion and is increasingly immersed in challenges of varying dimensions by reason of depletion, ignorance, marauding vested interests, pollution, corruption, greed, sheer pilferage, political irresponsibility and modern day vagaries of unbridled capital economy. As a result the world is experiencing unpredictable climate behaviors and worrying tendencies such as global warming, shift in weather patterns, drying of rivers, rise in sea levels, etcetera. Indeed the ravages of drought and related famine, floods and tsunamis continue to attract consequences of tragic proportions especially on key facets of productive economy.
The Copenhagen Climate negotiations therefore present an historic opportunity for serious global reflection and decisive actions on the future of our planet. COP15 must in my view make bold steps into a better future by generating an acceptable climate justice package. In the words of Abraham Lincoln; ‘we can nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth.’ The Copenhagen meeting is challenged to measure upto this historic mandate of nobly saving the last best hope of the world as well as securing the future of humanity by building a common climate agenda. This can only happen if leaders from across the globe clasped hands together in all the things that are essential for a responsive climate regime by ensuring that the common good of all humanity is not sacrificed at the very altar of vested interests and sectarian considerations.
Climate constitutes a shared resource just as humanity is a mutual network of human beings hence unequivocal commitments by leaders is both critical and inescapable. A comprehensive climate justice package is imperative especially putting into perspective the perils and threats facing our climate today. A substantive and effective outcome of COP15 will no doubt generate a comprehensive blue-print on global climate renewal and/or regeneration aimed at bolstering and buttressing the KYOTO treaty as well as internalizing value for important principles as equity, climate justice and human development. Suffices it to reiterate the importance of the five pillars of the Bali Plan of Action namely adaptation, mitigation, technology development and transfer, capacity building and financing
The concept of common but differentiated responsibilities holds sway particularly given the gap between developed and third world economies. The fact that developed or highly industrialized countries emit more gases that contribute to global pollution than developing countries cannot be gainsaid. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is based on shared responsibilities proportional to levels of pollution. As a consequence, developed countries are morally obligated to take responsibility for the current climate mess and associated challenges as well as show higher levels of commitment in so far as future climate justice is necessary.
A comprehensive climate regime will no doubt usher in a new dispensation of responsibility and systematic approach to climate renewal. Kenya remains a critical player in the climate talks hence the need to think global put act local by putting in place plausible arrangements aimed at redressing the woes and challenges facing our ecosystem. The need therefore to energize ongoing local efforts at formulating appropriate climate policies that will engender a culture of environmental regeneration is imperative and must constitute a priority item on the national agenda.
Environmental renewal requires a comprehensive blue print that will ensure that all our resources, fauna and flora are afforded the requisite attention and value. We must therefore clasp our hands together in replenishing and regenerating a people’s responsive climate. It is a duty we owe to ourselves and to posterity. A new Kenya with permanent rivers, evergreen forests and sustainable endowments is possible. After all, global is indeed very local. COP15 must therefore yield unequivocal commitment and satisfactory climate package.