Copenhagen is already a success

This blogger has landed back from a trip (it feels great to be away from crowded noisy polluted cities) and was not really aware of what is happening in Copenhagen. Although it seems to be information revolution era but getting authentic information is an arduous task so had to spend some time at the net. Scene at Copenhagen doesn’t look very encouraging but this blogger thinks that Copenhagen is already a tremendous success. I found people in my train compartment I was travelling discussing global warming, there has been extensive coverage in media. I was watching Tamil channel at a tea shop (TV has become omnipresent these days and in Tamil Nadu you just cannot escape it) and the news did cover the summit as well as the impact. So in a way Copenhagen is a success.

Though the Danish environment minister says her resignation is procedural there really seems to be quite a chaos at summit. It is quite saddening. I really don’t understand this developed country and developing country division (this diversion was anticipated). There are people who make substantial carbon footprint and there are people with less. Bit of study will point to the fact that richer people have higher carbon footprint and so are the main reason for disastrous consequences which most of us will have to face or are facing. Rather than blaming the rich it is the technology that is made accessible is a crucial factor (lifestyle demands and opulence is a different matter). As people get more materially comfortable this trend will increase and that precisely is what is happening, with people getting access to vehicles and other appliances. Therefore it is very necessary that a binding agreement be made at the international level that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of development. It couldn’t be simpler than this. And if world leaders meeting at Copenhagen are not able to reach a consensus on this then they are being highly irresponsible.

This blogger did his bit in trying to pressurize his government through this blog, like people from different countries are doing and are expected to do. Clearly the money bags have an upper hand in policy decisions at national and international level and most nations are succumbing to these pressures by vested interests. With financial crisis taking its toll issues of environment are not very “attractive”. However communities are known to take mitigative actions when faced with crisis (Ostrom) and sub national movement (California Governor…I have started to like that man, quite inspiring must say. Much better without muscles!) are possible choices. A binding international agreement though is the need of the hour to have a real impact.

There are two days left and lets see how they work it out. And yes people would like to know what really happened and who are the deal breakers. USA despite Clinton’s efforts in Kyoto did not ratify the treaty. We need to have a system that points to carbon print of the product and company stated so that consumers can decide. And yes American MNCs or Chinese goods or any other country could be boycotted at the international level if they blatantly disregard world community or are seen as deal breakers (negative role played by Germany need be noted) . I think as consumers and world citizens we can take that action. This time we need to fix the culprits, nationally and internationally.

Post script: Indian English TV channel is quite a joke these days and their coverage of the Copenhagen summit lacks much depth (the Delhi based bunker NGO has landed and the woman quite clearly is barking for the Indian government. The channel even had a small time actor sneaking in with his sacred opinion, had to immediately change the channel!!. Hazards of Incredible India I guess). Thankfully Net is where you can access authentic indepth information, and no nauseating manipulations (BBC also is a good source).