Coconut trees fall onto the beach as rising sea levels erode their bases on Tuvalu
On a BBC World debate from Copenhagen, the panel included several high profile world leaders like the PM of Australia and President of Mexico, who host COP16 next year. But it was the President of the Maldives that had some powerful points to make. Firstly he said, Copenhagen shouldn`t be a negotiation. The EU shouldn`t use language like we`ll only do this if China does that.Secondly he pointed out that stopping global warming is not about money. Thirdly, he noted that when JFK declared in 1961 that man would walk on the moon, the technology didn`t even exist. And this year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Rudd was keen to leave the programme apparently to return to the negotiating table. The President of Mexico welcomed everyone to his country next year to continue the discussion. Actually, I can`t understand why in this day and age they all have to physically assemble. Can`t they continue the discussion and reach conclusion online?
Amoungst all this, one fears that New Zealand`s objectives at the talks may have been sidelined. When we harvest our extensive tree farms, the extracted timber, which is 50% solid carbon, is usually treated and used in building, furniture, etc – locking up what otherwise would have been atmospheric carbon for a long time. But this locking up in processed timber is yet to be formally recognised in global treaties. The New Zealand team to the Copenhagen negotiations have as an objective to obtain recognition for the long-term locking up of carbon in processed timber from plantations. Prime Minister Key says they wanted to seek agreement for 70% of the carbon credits given to a mature stand of trees to be retained post-harvest in the timber. They will also seek changes to the LULUCF rules (Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry) to allow more flexibility in the felling and replanting of trees in different areas. We wish them good LUUUCK, because these would be handy strands to a Green Brand New Zealand strategy.
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Tags: 100% Pure New Zealand, clean & green, clean & green NZ, Clean and Green, clean and green NZ, COP16, G77, Kaitiakitanga, 温暖化、Copenhagen Accord
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