Video: Special Envoy Stern Discusses COP-17

Todd Stern, Special Envoy for Climate Change, discusses COP 16 and COP 17 at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C. on November 22, 2011. Stern reviews the agreement reached at COP 16 and the fate of the Kyoto Protocol.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Video: One South African Asks Why Canada is Silent on Climate Change

In this video, a women from South Africa discusses how the climate has changed effecting agriculture in South Africa. She also asks questions about Canada's conspicuous silence on the issue of climate change and the importance of reaching a binding international agreement.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Video: COP 17 & CMOP 7 Opening Remarks

The opening remarks at COP 17 focus on the soon to expire Kyoto Protocol and operationalizing the agreements at COP 16 including the Green Carbon Fund. This speaker emphasizes the urgency of acting now.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Who is to Blame for the Failure of COP 17?

As COP 17 comes to a close, European Union Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard blamed China and India for resisting the EU-designed “road map” designed to succeed the Kyoto Protocol which is set to expire in 2012.

Although support has grown for the EU plan, it may not be enough. African nations, 43 island states and 48 of the world’s least developed countries have said that they back the EU plan for binding targets by 2015. Even Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent said Ottawa had forged a partnership with small island states

The EU roadmap calls for UN talks to agree on a mandate to negotiate by 2015, a new climate deal covering all major economies, in return for the bloc signing up to a second period of emissions cuts under the existing Kyoto treaty.

The EU wants action from other countries as the Kyoto Protocol, which was never ratified by the US and does not cover major economies such as China, accounts for just 15% of world greenhouse gas emissions.

US agreement is difficult due to opposition from Congress, which must ratify any treaty. Nonetheless, climate change envoy Todd Stern said Washington supports an EU roadmap to a new treaty. Stern told reporters. “The EU has called for a roadmap (to a future deal). We support that.” However, last night the US said it would not agree to talks for a legally binding deal.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Hope Remains Despite a Dissapointing Outcome at COP 17

The COP 17 climate negotiations wrap up today in Durban, South Africa. Although there are very low expectations, some optimism remains. However unlikely, it is not impossible for developed and developing countries to compromise and reach an agreement on equitable and enforceable targets to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions.

The UN’s climate change chief Christina Figueres stated that “future commitments by industrial countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions is the defining issue of this conference."

"We are in Durban with one purpose: to find a common solution that will secure a future to generations to come," said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s international relations minister who is chairing the summit.

As though to reinforce the urgency of a solution, an unusual torrential storm hit Durban on the eve of the conference. The storm prompted Figueres to say “Although the unseasonable storm cannot be directly linked to climate change, it is the kind of extreme weather that scientists say is happening more often.”

Even if we do not see the groundbreaking progress we need, the negotiations will proceed beyond the end of COP 17. Although the situation may look bleak, we must continue to hope because when it comes to managing climate change failure is not an option.

Figueres, quoting Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it is done."

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

China an Unlikely Hero at Cop 17

China is often criticized for being the world’s biggest carbon emitter, but at COP 17 the country has emerged as an unlikely hero. China is in the process of reinventing itself and it is looking increasingly towards the green economy to do so. Chinese delegation head Xie Zhenhua said China might be willing to sign a legally binding agreement for reducing emissions.


If certain preconditions are met China would consider signing a binding agreement. “China is open,” Xie told reporters at COP 17.

According to booklet at the country’s official pavilion China is interested in “Working hard to tackle climate change.”

These claims as more than just hot air as China's new five-year government plan makes the country a global leader with its green growth and low-carbon initiatives.

However, China has repeatedly stated that as a developing nation, with no historical responsibility for carbon emissions, it cannot be held to the same standards as industrialized countries.
“China will shoulder the responsibility that is appropriate to its development,” Xie reiterated Monday.

South African international relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said "China is laying its cards on the table. Other negotiators will be laying the cards on the table and work then gets escalated. And that is what makes us hopeful we are moving in the right direction,” she said.

Despite a steller communications initiative China is unlikely to consider signing an internationally binding deal until after 2015, when a scientific assessment ends, and it wouldn’t take effect until 2020 at the earliest.

Until then China will focus on its domestic policies related to climate change, and the particularly tough task of implementing emissions controls in a country with runaway growth and the world’s biggest population.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

The Costs of Global Warming

The costs of reducing emissions are frequently cited as reasons for inaction, however these assessments fail to factor the much greater costs of unchecked climate change. Already we are seeing massive costs from drought, famine, flooding and extreme weather.  Global warming causing greenhouse gas emissions continue to escalate increasing beyond the worst predictions of the UN’s climate experts. These costs will only increase as global warming worsens.

The World Meteorological Organisation has reported that heat-trapping carbon dioxide concentrations in the air have increased by 39 per cent to 389 parts per million. These are the highest concentrations since the start of the industrial era in 1750.

The costs of climate change are more than just financial. Emission increases are causing global temperature rises and when the growing population is factored into the equation the earth's carrying capacity is being exceeded by growing demand.

Agricultural yields are amongst the areas hardest hit by global warming and this will lead to skyrocketing food costs and mass starvation.

There is more than enough scientific evidence for concerted global action now. The costs of doing nothing to manage climate change are too great to bear.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.