COP15 ARTICLES: COPENHAGEN: LAST CHANCE TO SAVE WORLD CLIMATE

PUBLISHED IN BALADNA SYRIAN NEWSPAPER. 8 DECEMBER 2009

During the first day of the historic UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the UN’s top climate change official expressed confidence that the meeting would deliver a comprehensive, ambitious and effective international climate change deal.

After the wave of skepticism which swept the international community in the last few weeks, a fresh enthusiasm has emerged on the inaugural day of the historic UN Climate Change Conference. Yvo de Boer, the UN’s top climate change official expressed confidence that the meeting would deliver a comprehensive and effective climate change deal and praised the numerous emissions targets which have been pledged in the run-up to the summit. 

 “Negotiators now have the clearest signal ever from world leaders t craft solid proposals to implement rapid action, “ de Boer said. There are three courses of action governments must agree on in the coming weeks: implementation of immediate measures; ambitious commitments to cut emissions, and a shared vision on a universal low-emissions future.

There are three layers of action that governments must agree to in the course of the coming two weeks: fast and effective implementation of immediate action on climate change; ambitious commitments to cut and limit emissions, including start-up funding and a long-term funding commitment; and a long-term shared vision on a low-emissions future for all.

For 2010, immediate action have to focused on reducing emissions, adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change, delivering adequate finance, technology, reducing emission from deforestation in developing countries and capacity-building.

Syria is part of the group of developing countries which insist that developed nations, historically responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, should bear the brunt of responsibility for global warming. Copenhagen provides a good and maybe the only chance for Syria to find sufficient sponsorship and support needed for it to evolve into a modern low carbon economy. A strong political commitment is the key factor underlying the more evident environmental consequences of climate change, such as drought. If Syria can show a willingness, rather than just a need for cooperation, Copenhagen could be just the beginning of a bright future.