Dec 16 | Copenhangen update - Dec 16

By The North Face

The North Face Director of Sustainability, Letitia Webster reports from Copenhagen.

Latest update:As the Bella Center overflows and pressure builds, a focus on the human side of climate change comes to the forefront.

In a panel discussion today led by Fmr Irish President Mary Robinson, a deeper look into how the current dialogue and potential policy will effect the human rights of indigenous cultures and developing nations played out to a packed house. According to the WHO over 150k people die due to impacts of climate change annually, these are already compromised people who are living of the land day-to-day.

Moreover, with heavy debates on adaption financing, it is these groups that need it the most, who will see their livelihood's challenged. Why does this matter?

Because it will create global unrest and security issues for the US. And, many of these people live in places where we all love to explore. These are often the communities that support your backpacking trip in Nepal, in the Andes or in Africa, these are the families of the guides, and Sherpas who will be the hardest hit.

Developing strong policies around mitigation will help slow emissions, but could bring unintended consequences such as encouraging biofuels, which in theory is great. However, it can create land scarcity for food production and could drive up the price of food. Hydropower, another great option also has unintended consequences if not considered appropriately. It can divert water resources from entire communities, lead to decreased fish populations, and contribute to loss of flood plains.. all of these unintended consequences strike the lowest income and subsistence living communities around the world.

As we negotiate the nuances of a National & Global climate change policy we must also ensure the communities where we explore and depend upon are considered.

Benjamin Franklin said, "we must all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

With two days left, tension and anxiety is building here. Demonstrations and riots are increasing and frustration abounds. A lot of excitement was placed on "Hopenhagen" for the world and powers to be to put aside politics and short term issues to develop a long-term global framework that can deliver strong emission targets, and respectful financing options.

We could play the what if game very easily, especially from the US perspective, as in, IF we had come to the table with political will and backing, everyone here agrees we would be making much more progress then we are.

So where do we go from here? If you care about this issue, call your Senator, email your Senator, and have your friends contact their Senators, especially those in swing states, to let them know you want strong action from the US. Will the framework be perfect? No. But as the global leader and the largest polluter, we have the responsibility to step up.

Today Al Gore announced his goal to have a climate Change Bill passed in the US by the 40th anniversary of Earth Day 2010. And US leaders such as Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator John Kerry are here rallying the troops and trying to keep the "hope" alive.

We must remain positive and understand that no matter what emerges on Friday, this has raised the global consciousness and especially the US one.

 

Comments

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