“Who, among those of you who claim that scientists are liars and environmentalists are stooges, has thought it through for yourself ”?- George Monibot to Global warming skeptics.
UN Climate Summit commenced on Dec 7, 2009 attended by 192 nations across the world at Danish capital Copenhagen has drawn to a close today, the 19th December 2009. Months before the Summit was about to begin at Copenhagen, World leaders, environmental activists, scientists, media world, the common man all had started engaging in serious discussions- all expect a minority, I mean climate change skeptics - were awaiting with enthusiasm, optimism, hopes and expectations. Serious concerns were also lurking in their minds about a positive result no point in sweeping those concerns under the carpet on account of the overbearing demanding developed nations who should have shared the blame for a major portion of carbon emissions. More than thirty percent of green house emissions is by the so-called Super Power, ie. USA alone- demanding the reduction of greenhouse emissions by the developing nations like China, India and African nations which are far behind the developed nations in the matter of global warming.
Those who will have the last laugh are the climate change skeptics who always argued and fought for the vested interests of oil companies like Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP and fossil fuel companies who don’t have any concerns for the generation-next, who will be the worst sufferers in the event of rising global warming. As noted journalist George Monibot thundered against these skeptics- ‘You unwitting recruit of hugely powerful oil lobby’.
These skeptics among them are geologists, who in order to drive their points home put forth certain absurd arguments, that global warming was already there and man’s contributions are not much of any significances. (refer “The climate denial industry seeks to dupe the public. It’s working”- Guardian Newspapers, 2009) Genuine scientists and environmental activists have proved beyond any doubt the culpability of man in contributing to the aggravation of carbon emissions as days pass by.
Unexpected floods, drought, unpredictable climate, receding glaciers, rising sea-levels threatening some countries like Maldives with a near imminent submergence in the near future itself. The recent cabinet meeting held under the sea, under the leadership of its youthful President Muhammed Nasheed to highlight the concerns before the world community was watched by citizens the world over. Another country, Nepal also held a cabinet meeting at an altitude of 17200 feet, in the vicinity of Mt.Everest under Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal braving freezing cold under suffocating conditions to draw the attention of all nations preparing to assemble at Copenhagen meant to highlight the disastrous consequences due to the rapidly receding glaciers of world’s largest mountain, The Mt.Everest- all due to one reason- Global Warming.
At times flooding rivers crossing the danger marks due to unpredictable weather causing widespread damages to life, crops and property and at other times that also unexpected droughts with rivers getting dried up, thus destroying the harvests, cyclones, tsunamis, raging fires, pollution harming the rich bio-diversity- flora and fauna, poverty, starvation, unemployment, deforestation by unscrupulous elements, extinct species due to their inability to cope up with the upset climate cycle- all staring in our faces with beastly eyes frightening us but nowhere to hide or take refuge.
Well-known journalist Jonathan Freedland wrote the other day about the dilemmas Barack Obama faces on the matter of doing something positive to save the Climate Summit at Copenhagen from facing a total collapse. Though said to be the most powerful President of a most developed nation he has to face adversities from the Republicans in the Senate and a few fence-sitting unreliable Democrats who are climate change skeptics. Hence a total commitment from him need not be expected. Neither China nor India, but the real obstacle is Capitol Hill according to Jonathan Freedland. Freedland reminds us Barack Obama is not a saviour of the world, he is only the President.
However to save the face, some sweet talks, sermons, promise for an anxious wait for a sixth round of negotiations in 2010 and last but not the least a political agreement to extend technological as well as financial assistance to developing countries might be expected.
Unlike our Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, we the common men are not that eternally hopeful. Experiences are our best teachers, Ms.Nirupama Rao.
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