Dickinson to Durban » Entries tagged with "COP17"
Getting Desperate in Durban
By Dani Thompson Yesterday, the doors of most UNFCCC plenary sessions became closed for civilians and observers. The negotiations are taking a more serious turn, and the U.S. is taking a verbal beating by the folks of the Climate Action Network (CAN). At the CAN daily briefing on Monday, we heard over and over again that many nations are fed up with the U.S. and their constant blocking of international agreements for a potential second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. It seems the time has come for the countries ready and willing to agree to a legally binding agreement to move forward on their own. “If [the US] cannot get your team on the ground, move aside and let the rest of the world move forward with an agreement.” These and other strong words came from Kumi Naidoo (second from left), a representative … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Key COP17 Issues
The Kyoto Roadblock Explained
By Timothy Damon ’12 In my previous post about Long Term action, I addressed some disagreement last week involving the USA, EU, and China. Since that time, I have observed several more sessions of the AWG-LCA which offer further insight into the areas of contention in the negotiations for a continuation of a legally binding instrument (LBI) for national GHG reduction commitments. Consideration of several such key points follows. One of the most important phrases on the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Key COP17 Issues
U.S. Step Aside, Developing Countries Step Up
By Maggie Rees As the negotiations continue, it seems that one of the only ways for progress to happen is if the United States steps aside. The US has been blocking other developed countries and developing countries from the progress they wish to see in Durban. China has shown optimistic signals and a willingness to contribute to a legally binding agreement, sharper emissions cuts, or some sort of commitment. The United States, on the other hand, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change
Should we let KP RIP?
by Dani Thompson There is a reason UNFCCCs conference of parties are referred to as “the negotiations”. “All they do is negotiate. Where is the action?” Questions Rully Prayoga, a 350.org Indonesian Chapter representative who I interviewed this morning. After spending over a week at the UNFCCCs 17th COP, I have to agree with him. If there is one over-arching feeling from NGOs which I can relay to our readers outside of Durban– it is a sense of frustration. This frustration comes from the slow-moving progress of “the negotiations” and an ever-growing realization that agreement to aid the end or slowing of climate change on a global level may not be possible. Perhaps the UNFCCC is simply not the best forum to realize mitigation of green house gases. As the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (The legally binding agreement signed by … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change
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