Dickinson to Durban » Climate Change
Durban: What’s Coming??
As Durban quickly approaches, it is of great importance to gauge the expectations going into the conference, so that following the conference, its “success” can be defined. The three major issues that Spence argues need to be addressed include: “1) agreement on a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol (under which developed countries would take on legally-binding commitments post-2012); 2)progress on a broader, comprehensive agreement that includes all major emitters; and 3)progress in operationalizing new institutions such as the Technology Mechanism and Green Climate Fund.” Obviously, the degree of success that each of these goals can be achieved at Durban differs. Yet, overall the slightly pessimistic view of any “success” occurring is “fair” by Spence. The second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol being signed on by the first set of nations he deems … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change
The Anagram Lover’s Tokyo is at it Again
By Sam Pollan, 14′ The Kyoto commitment period is ending very soon. Upcoming climate negotiations in Durban at the COP 17 conference will address this as one of the primary topics. Unfortunately, many skeptics have publicized their doubt of Durban discussions actually reaching conclusions. Canada, Japan, and the Russian Federation have all mentioned that they will not commit to any new Kyoto document. With those three major emitters absent from future Kyoto agreements, as well as the US being completely nonexistent in Kyoto delegations, the Protocol will be unable to achieve any significant reduction in climate change. While the Kyoto Protocol may be down, it is certainly not out for the count. The EU and neighboring countries are indicating that they plan to continue some form of the 1997 agreement. This miniature … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Key COP17 Issues
What to expect in Durban (if anything):
Claire Tighe ’13 The climate change negotiations happening just a few days from now will be covering quite a few topics. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (which hosts the Conference of the Parties, or “COP”), the conference in Durban (COP17), “will bring together representatives of the world’s governments, international organizations and civil society […] to advance, in a balanced fashion, the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, as well as the Bali Action Plan, agreed at COP 13 in 2007, and the Cancun Agreements, reached at COP 16 last December.” The issues to be discussed at COP17 seem almost endless. Everything from mitigation of greenhouse gases, the future of the Kyoto Protocol, adaptation to climate change and how to finance it, the project of reforestation, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Conservation, Environmental Justice, Environmental Politics, Featured, Key COP17 Issues, Student Research
Durban…is there hope?
Esther Babson ’13 Literature on the potential of Durban all focus on the Kyoto Protocol; and with good reason. As 2012 is the end of the commitment period, decisions need to be made in Durban about how countries want to continue in dealing with climate change. Durban could be the rebirth of Kyoto with a second commitment period set up, or it’s death place with nothing set up for the upcoming years. As of now, it … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues
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