So here we are, the 30th November 2015 and the first day of the COP21 summit in Paris. Since the failure in Copenhagen six years ago, this could truly be a defining moment for both the climate and humanity.
Christiana Figueres opened the summit with the powerful message:
"Never before has a responsibility so great been in the hands of so few. The world is looking to you. The world is counting on you"
151 leaders are in attendance and spoke today about the importance of acting to reduce the impacts of climate change. Here are some of the key messages conveyed by some of the world's leaders on the first day:
- The Prime Minister of Tuvalu stated that the survival of this Pacific island "depends on the decisions we take here in Paris"
- Obama called for a "long-term strategy" rather than a "stop-gap solution"
- Putin announced that Climate Change is "one of the gravest challenges that humanity is facing" and highlights the increasing economic damage it is causing
- Angela Merkel stated that "our very future as humankind hinges on this"
- President Xi Jinping of China declared that more must be done by developed nations
- Bolivia's president holds capitalism partially responsible for climate change
- The UK's David Cameron announced that a deal is required for the "poorest and most vulnerable countries in terms of finance" and one that "transfers technology from the richest countries to the poorest countries"
And finally, earlier today ahead of COP21, the inspirational Sir David Attenborough shared a message of hope for renewable energy, particularly solar power. He stated: "the problems are there, but they can be solved". Support from someone so knowledgable and influential surely says a lot.
Source: BBC News
Thanks you for the run down on how different world leaders are saying about this conference. It's amazing how important word choice is when they try to agree. Hopefully the tensions surrounding responsibility will not prevent a strong agreement.
ReplyDeleteThere has certainly been a lot of careful wording in the speeches so far. I read an article last month about the choice of wording for the "Intended Nationally Determined Contributions". By choosing the term contribution it gives a message of flexibility, when many feel that "commitment" should have been used to give the impression of a more binding target.
DeleteWith COP21 now coming towards a close, do you think it will be possible to actually get an agreement singed?
ReplyDeleteI am very hopeful because we have seen a number of really positive signs this week. Firstly, a coalition of 100+ nations has emerged at COP21, with the intention of achieving a legally binding agreement. The EU, US and a number of Pacific, Caribbean and African countries are part of this. Secondly, there has been increasing support for a limit of 1.5°C rather than the 2°C limit advised by the scientific community.
DeleteHopefully we will find out later on today whether this pressure has been enough