by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Ever since the failed climate change talks of COP15 at Copenhagen the accusations have been going on how China is at fault as to why the talks, basically, failed dismally and only an accord was brokered that was just noted by the signatories and is not binding in any way, shape or form.
Whether it was (all) China's fault or not is beginning to get more and more irrelevant.
The other question is also as to whether it is actually possible for 190 nations to ever agree on anything.
Let us just forget about the United Nations thing and work together with nations that can actually agree with one another and then get going with things.
Even if it may, at one time or the other, mean for one country or the other to do things unilaterally; in the same way as Britain was looking at doing something to get the banking system a little more controlled.
There are countries that, I am sure, one can agree with and work with, such as countries in the European Union that are already doing a great deal in the field of green energy, for instance, and other green efforts, whether Germany or Denmark, or other.
Let's make a start on a smaller scale and work as if people and the Planet actually matter.
Copenhagen was one of those gabfests that just do not seem to ever bring anything bar hot air and a huge environmental footprint to boot.
If the politicians are really serious, and that also applies to the environmental- and climate activists, to protect the Planet then conferences in a physical location belong consigned to the dustbin and should be replaced by online versions. It is possible and is not even rocket science.
The fact that politicians claim, however, as did Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, when asked by schoolchildren why not and online conference instead of all the people flying to Copenhagen, that there are times when one simply has to meet like that for a week or so. That is utter bull dust and they do know that.
However, hypocrisy reigned supreme there in Copenhagen on all sides, and not just the side of the politicians.
Those that supposedly were for a climate deal and re so concerned about the carbon footprint and all that ended up with a rather big one themselves. Now what excuses do they have, I wonder. You cannot preach to the world if you do the same.
Time we got out fingers out and really go to work, each in their own little corner and coming together via the Internet. It is cheap, has a much lower impact, and can also widen the participatory base by including as many people as possible.
© 2010
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