U.N. climate change
talks began in Durban, South Africa, Nov. 28. The two-week-long
conference will feature leaders from across the world discussing the
next actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rapid
increase in climate change.
Some diplomats from developing countries may “occupy” the climate
talks to ensure there is a deal.
Former President of
Costa Rica José María Figueres called for the occupation: “I have
called on all vulnerable countries to ‘occupy’ Durban. … We
should be going to Durban with the firm conviction that we do not
come back until we have made substantial advances.” This issue is
most pressing to island nations such as the Maldives because of the
rising sea level worldwide.
As of this writing,
there has been no confirmation from other leaders on whether to
“occupy,” but it is being discussed. An ambassador from a
developing country said: “The Occupy Wall Street movement and the
Occupy the Climate Change negotiations movement confront the same
problem. We need this if we want to have any positive result. … In
the corridors there is talk of occupying the meeting rooms, but there
could be sanctions.” (The Guardian, Nov. 24)
The latest rounds
of climate talks, starting with Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun in
2010,
have produced nothing. The world is not at a point that it can delay
action. A U.N. report warned Nov. 21 that the world must act to
control emissions of harmful heat-trapping chemicals that are
accelerating climate change.
The U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization reported Nov. 29 that 13
of the warmest years recorded have occurred within the last decade
and a half.
But according to
The Guardian, rich countries like the U.S., Japan and the EU have
already decided to not push for a global agreement this year, instead
delaying until at least 2015 with no action taken until 2020.
The planet cannot
wait for the imperialist countries and their leaders to act.
Significant change must come from the people, especially those most
affected. Representatives from developing countries and their
supporters who “occupy” the climate talks deserve the support of
progressive people everywhere.
