Dickinson to Durban » Environmental Politics
Is the USA “blocking” the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol?
By Timothy Damon ’12 Well, that depends on your definition of “blocking”. Since the USA did not join the Kyoto Protocol (KP), it is not (officially) included in the negotiations specifically for the KP. Thus, it is completely possible for the KP to enter a second commitment period even though America may hate the very idea. This means that technically it is wrong to say the USA is “blocking” the KP because it does not have that authority. Despite this technicality, America is still very much hindering progress. This is occurring because those countries that are under the KP expect the USA to take more action in return for undertaking a second commitment period on themselves – and the USA is simply unwilling to take more action. Consequently, other countries view America … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues
“This is a challenge that will require a coalition of billions” –Ambassador Gibbs
By: Anna McGinn ‘14 The US Center hosted side events throughout the conference to share with both US citizens and people from around the world actions that the US has been taking to combat climate change. Despite the fact that the US hinders the formal negotiations for the most part, progress has been made at regional levels and with outreach to other countries. Most recently, I attended an event, “Think Globally, Act Locally” which highlighted actions … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics
The Nuts and Bolts Bringing Hope
http://www.ucalgary.ca/wwviewscanada/system/files/images/earth-in-hands.jpg By: Esther Babson It may be the last day but I finally went to my first COP! I actually went earlier this week but it is definitely the highlight of my experience here. With all the side events, interviews and press briefings it was amazing I even found a COP during a time that I was free! After trying over and over again to get into meetings, only to be kicked out, I tried not to get my hopes up as I walked over to the “Honey Bucho Room” where the planery was. The meeting was a contact group with the Technology Executive Committee-Draft Decisions on Modalities and Procedures. Ok, so I know this does sound like the most boring event ever and it may have been on other days but … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics
The hidden discussion – Technology Transfer: Is it necessary?
By Emily Bowie ’14 Article 4, paragraph 5 under the Convention states that: “The developed country Parties and other developed Parties included in Annex II shall take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and know-how to other Parties, particularly developing country Parties, to enable them to implement the provisions of the Convention.” At the 7th Conference of the Parties in 2001 a framework for this … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics
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