WHICH LONG TERM...?
The Climate Conference called by the United Nations in Paris this month is, in fact, the most decisive gathering Humanity will have in its entire history. Exaggeration? Let´s see. Based on high level scientific research all around the world, and in journalistic reports on what has been and is happening all around the world regarding climate, the fact is one: Earth temperature has already risen, it is increasing, its practical consequences are there for all to see and some others, not so clear for all, are hitting Humanity´s way of living in its basic variables: food supply, soil deterioration, scarcity of water and massive migrations. Therefore, to stop that trend is not a good deed some leaders are doing, it is the ONLY deed Earth can do to save Human race. But it might take more than planned.
There are many good decisive aspects to this Paris Conference. 147 nations responsible for 90% of carbon emission are in it. All industrialized nations are present at the UN, the one place where all earth peoples meet. Just as good is the reason for their presence: all of them are willing to make an effort and a commitment regarding climate change causes. Scientists, researches and climate workers have been heard, center of power are listening. Stats also say that awareness about the pending lethal thread among Earth inhabitants has widely increased, the issue has reached first line in political agenda and the Media is informing. All that is a huge step forwards.
But the longterm target the Conference is expected to set shows that Humanity might not have quite clear the dimension of a situation that has the planet at stake and on stage. According to papers published, the Conference hopes to get countries to agree lower their emissions so that in 2100.... the planet warms up ONLY 2 grades.... instead of 4 or 5. It is, in fact, a very confusing target. As science has it "According to an ongoing temperature analysis conducted by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased by about 0.8° Celsius (1.4° Fahrenheit) since 1880. Two-thirds of the warming has occurred since 1975...." The destructive power of this fact is already clearly seen on Earth. ¿Is Humanity going to wait and see what will happen to Earth with 2 more grades of temperature? In 80 years there will be no need for nation´s commitment because catastrophe would have already landed on Earth, all its basic variables disrupted and its logical social consequences unleashed. Humanity must stop and, furthermore, reverse global warming NOW.
Global warming cannot take the path so many other issues on Earth take: political and diplomatic negotiations that struggle to defend individual interests and take years to give fruit. Kyoto would be a good example of it. A shy undertaking hoping that 2 grades will not make much difference is a very very risky and inaccurate calculation. The planet itself might take them, but Human way of living will certainly not. Therefore the target does not comply with the urgency.
It is also a fact that the needed shift is not easy. The planet is in jeopardy because of a way of production/consumption that hurts it. To change it is the only way out of the situation, and it can only be truly transformed by a shift of mind. A deeper, faster, long-lasting difference will happen when the main sources of global warming - energy, transportation, soil use and deforestation - find practical ways to change into other forms of production driven by conviction from those who do it. A move recently made by the American President, Barack Obama - which at first seems not such a big step - in fact, carries the KEY to stop global warming. He got 81 American multinational enterprises to commit into a joint effort to change their ways in order to contribute to the reduction of carbon emission. That IS the needed change of mind. Should that key move spread all around industrial Earth´s world, the solution to the problem will come directly from those who cause it the most. Should that trend find roots all over the world, government’s commitment at the UN would have solid grounds.
The situation as it is now involves every single soul on Earth, requires all people’s commitment and places among the industrialized world the most decisive responsibility Humanity has ever seen. China produces 7.9 carbon emissions tons percapita; the EU 7.4 tons; and the US 16.4 tons, which means that peoples and leaders of those nations have Earth´s fate in their hands. So, present contradictions between believers and deniers of global warming as it happens in America, confronting views about sustainable growth as it happens in China, and attempts of division as it happens in the EU are issues that place in their peoples the saving call for the entire Humanity.
The most important action Earth people must do - conference participants, industrialists, journalists, and people in general - does not take place so much at the Conference room but in their own homes: Look at your own children and grand children sitting at the dinner table, sleeping on their beds, playing in the back yard, giving a good night kiss, look at them INTO their eyes and tell them that you are leaving them 2 more Earth grades to live in. Do look at them, and every one - including those who find it difficult to change - will find the courage and the way to do what is needed NOW. For them there is no long term. What has been done to get to Paris is the most important step Humanity has taken so far, but it must not forget that It is a Human RACE. /Silvia Davila MM, EarthPipol, Oct 31, 2015
