This first news from a deal at Copenhagen tells us that at least there is some political will amongst the key power brokers and deal breakers. The devil will be in the details — but it offers us a gleam of hope. Human Hives aka Mayors of key cities around the world will no doubt need to ante up their intelligences for implementation to move this to the next step – and they will make sure there is one, because they have the greatest vested interests of all governments. They will be working to create new structures and stories that their citizens can embrace. Let this ray of hope become the first glimmers of a season of light. MH
President Barack Obama has reached what US officials say is a “meaningful” deal with China, India and South Africa on climate change. It was agreed on the last day of the Copenhagen conference. Below are reactions from officials and NGOs.
US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
For the first time in history all major economies have come together to accept their responsibility to take action to confront the threat of climate change.
Going forward we’re going to have to build on the momentum that we’ve established here in Copenhagen to ensure that international action to significantly reduce emissions is sustained and sufficient over time. We’ve come a long way but we have much further to go.
To continue moving forward we must draw on the effort that allowed us to succeed here today – engagement among nations that represent a baseline of mutual interest and mutual respect.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESWOMAN
A deal is better than no deal. What could be agreed today, falls far below our expectations but It keeps our goals and ambitions alive.
It addresses the needs of developing countries. It was the only deal available in Copenhagen.
US OFFICIAL
No country is entirely satisfied with each element but this is a meaningful and historic step forward and a foundation from which to make further progress.
NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT
We have an agreement. The deal we have is not perfect.
JOHN LANCHBERY, BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL
It sounds very vague. There’s no next step, nothing to link through to how to get a final deal done.
STEVE SAWYER, GLOBAL WIND ENERGY COUNCIL
On the basis of drafts I’ve seen so far … standing on its own a political declaration like that doesn’t do much other than paper over the fact that that governments have failed to keep the promises they made to each other.
JOHN ASHE, CHAIR OF KYOTO PROTOCOL TALKS
Given where we started and the expectations for this conference, anything less than a legally binding and agreed outcome falls far short of the mark.
On the the other hand, though I’m a bit of a realist so I do realise that perhaps the bar was set too high and the fact that there’s now a deal (…) perhaps gives us something to hang our hat on.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8421910.stm
Published: 2009/12/18 22:57:29 GMT
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