Throughout my time at COP15 and in Copenhagen I’ve been reflecting on what it will take in order to effectively address the issue of climate change. As a policy management major, I tend to view any policy issue in terms of incremental steps. Policy change is slow– and with an international governance system as complex as the UNFCCC — one shouldn’t put all of their eggs in one basket and expect the result of this conference to dramatically shift all crises directly or indirectly related to climate change. Yet this is dire issue. The IPCC estimates that we need to peak CO2 emissions by 2015 which is especially troubling considering the current 2-3% global growth in emissions. So what is the best way to go about tackling this beast of a problem?
For some, the entire system needs to change. At a KlimaForum event titled “Will a Green New Deal Save Us?” representatives from the Attac Germany suggested that capitalism is the heart of the problem and emphasized the need for de-growth (I should point out that KlimaForum is a seperate conference from COP15 and is much more radical). They advocated for a new type of macro economics and a just transformation for climate justice. This sentiment was also felt by many who attended the climate demonstration on Saturday, where there was more than 100,000 participants at the Bella Center and throughout Copenhagen. Nevertheless, many individuals in the audience (including myself) had reservations about the presentation and questioned the viability of re-thinking our entire economic system before taking on more practical and immediate initiatives. One man even went as far as to suggest that the “blah, blah, blah…Act Now” protest signs were more appropriate in criticizing the presentation rather than the official negotiations in which they were originally conceived for. Surely it is important to consider the fundamental elements of any problem. But this revolution of sorts, in addition to lacking sufficient political will, would have many unforeseen and unpredictable consequences.
December 12 Protest at Bella Center
Regrettably, however, I do not feel much progress at the official negotiations either. Partly because as an observer, I do not have much influence over delegates but also due to the size and scope of this conference. At one point or another, everyone in our group has admitted to being overwhelmed at COP15. With 34,000 registered participants, a host of side events, and the official plenary sessions to keep track of one can easily see how so many people are involved in this process and how slow decisions are being developed. It is certainly frustrating at times, but its not like anyone isn’t trying. Something good will come from all of this (in whatever form that might be).
An important lesson I have taken away from all of this is the need to act locally–both within our countries and our own communities. Global action is a slow process (and an important one) but one should never overlook the influence he or she has on a smaller scale. But perhaps what is even more important is the necessity to deal with what you’ve got. Not that revolution is a bad thing. Indeed, one day it might be necessary. Yet the deficiencies that exists in the international system today–and the political and economic systems that have been around for centuries– are perhaps more difficult to fix than the problem of climate change, itself.
