Dear Editor,
With the UN Climate Change summit coming to an end, it is difficult to predict what the final agreement will be among the leaders at the conference. But US President Barack Obama should be applauded for offering concessions so the summit can reach an agreement. As a result of the new US position, India, China, the US, France, England, and Japan are softening their own positions and an agreement appears more likely.
After nearly two weeks of negotiations among representatives of the 192 countries, the signs have not been good for an agreement. Up to yesterday, spokespersons for the summit were ruling out the possibility of an agreement; a watered-down agreement appears more likely, one that will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions and the establishment of a fund to help poor countries reduce their use of fossil fuels. The US, which has been holding up an agreement, has caved in to pressure to cut US carbon emissions and has agreed to donate (from 2020) towards the proposed fund (advocated and promoted by France and England and being encouraged by President Jagdeo) to help poor countries. China and the US are the world’s largest polluters accounting for almost half of carbon emissions and it is good to see them agreeing to reduce carbon output and to set up a fund. While China has not committed to the fund, it is calling upon the rich countries to add to it, and it appears that the US is listening as Obama has conceded a fund is necessary but wants to add his nation’s own conditions.
Climate change affects everyone, and every country, rich and poor, large and small, must support an effective workable agreement that will actually cut carbon fuel use. Scientists believe this will decelerate the rise of global temperatures which threaten our survival. It is good to see the international community, particularly the US and other developed countries, adopt a pragmatic approach on the final day of climate negotiations to come to an agreement that will tackle the global challenges of climate change. The US has helped to salvage the climate summit with its concessions. Obama should be applauded for taking a significant step in the right direction.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
