December 1, 2011
“The UN is committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This means equity. This means fairness for those who have contributed the least, yet are the most affected by our changing climate. This means climate justice for all.” - Time For Climate Justice
Durban, South Africa
COP 17 Conference
The UN COP 17, officially called the Conference of the Parties is an annual event that assesses progress on how the international community is dealing with climate change. It’s also a time for international social movements, farmers, indigenous groups and non-governmental organizations to mobilize and present their demands for climate justice to international delegations.
As result of continued economic growth and consumption habits in the global north we are on track to exceed the two-degree celsius mark. To avoid large fines and international pressure countries such as the US and Canada are planning to exit the KP. They want to develop a new “pledge and review” system, where countries would make a pledge to the UN and only pollute an agreed amount. In reality, countries are going to continue their assault on mother earth and temperature will rise. We can not trust that countries who are all ready ignoring international environmental laws will stop their projected economic growth.
Only by developing a new economic system and different ways to measure growth will we be able to stop the destruction of our planet. CO2 emissions are the result of natural resources being extracted from mother earth, deforestation and corporate exploitation. There is a direct correlation between northern consumption habits and climate change. The demand for products is excruciating high and we are in no way living sustainably. Whether it be a driving to a grocery store a mile away or consuming meat, that led to a forest being cut down for cattle grazing. Every consumption choice we make leads to the exploitation of mother earth and our brothers and sisters in the global south.
“The UN is committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This means equity. This means fairness for those who have contributed the least, yet are the most affected by our changing climate. This means climate justice for all.” - Time For Climate Justice
Durban, South Africa
COP 17 ConferenceGreetings from beautiful South Africa! I am here attending the COP 17 Conference as part of the Feminist Task Force delegation and as a representative of the Loretto Community. While attending the conference I will be writing reports on emerging climate change policy, food sovereignty and the rights of small subsistence farmers.
One of the major themes this year is the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol (KP) was developed in 1997 and is a legally binding agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this target represents a 29% cut). Currently being discussed here at Durban is the Kyoto second commitment period, which is a time for governments to ratify their 5-year QEROs (quantified emission reduction obligations) and insure it is in alignment with the agreements made last year for the temperature to raise a high two-degrees celsius.
As result of continued economic growth and consumption habits in the global north we are on track to exceed the two-degree celsius mark. To avoid large fines and international pressure countries such as the US and Canada are planning to exit the KP. They want to develop a new “pledge and review” system, where countries would make a pledge to the UN and only pollute an agreed amount. In reality, countries are going to continue their assault on mother earth and temperature will rise. We can not trust that countries who are all ready ignoring international environmental laws will stop their projected economic growth. Only by developing a new economic system and different ways to measure growth will we be able to stop the destruction of our planet. CO2 emissions are the result of natural resources being extracted from mother earth, deforestation and corporate exploitation. There is a direct correlation between northern consumption habits and climate change. The demand for products is excruciating high and we are in no way living sustainably. Whether it be a driving to a grocery store a mile away or consuming meat, that led to a forest being cut down for cattle grazing. Every consumption choice we make leads to the exploitation of mother earth and our brothers and sisters in the global south.
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