Climate change summit ends
LEADERS from around the globe gathered at UN's summit on mitigating serious challenges posed by climate change. Yet, as it has turned out, key countries have desisted from inking commitments to cutting down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and making serious financial commitments to help developing countries to fight adverse effects of climate change. Despite the hundreds of thousands of people who took part in the Climate march ahead of the summit, the clamour for change apparently has fallen on deaf ears. This summit has drawn massive show of support from corporate bodies, citizens' movements and development organisations, who intend to mobilise funds and take steps to minimise damage caused to the environment. But will that be enough?
Although Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli attending the summit stated that the country is on track to reduce carbon intensity by 40 per cent from 2005 levels to 2020, the sad fact is that despite having scientific proof of what the future holds for the planet if GHG emissions continue at present levels, it is the developing nations that will have to face the full brunt of it all. And despite the publicity surrounding the billion-dollar commitments declared by France, Germany and Sweden, the Green Climate Fund is still short by anywhere between US$10 and $15billion to effectively help developing nations and their citizens in a changing global climate. Unless decisive actions are taken to cut emissions, poor countries will be left to pick up the pieces as forces of nature ravage these nations in the foreseeable future.
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