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Cabinet Meetings: Under Water and on top of Mountains

Published 02nd November 2009 - 4 comments - 956 views -

Last month the Maldives Government held a Cabinet meeting under waterto highlight the threat of global warming to the island nation. This month Nepal's Government will hold a Cabinet meeting at the Mount Everest base-camp to highlight the threat to glaciers. While both of these events are being reported around the world, will they do anything in the lead up to the talks in Copenhagen?

While both events can be used to place moral pressure on other states to do something at the COP15 summit, I don't very much if it will be a clincher to a deal. These events have great media potential and both Governments have created a brilliant media event around these meetings and have gotten headlines. But whats the point if they don't produce a deal in December?

The Maldives will still be at risk of flooding and Nepal's glaciers will still be in danger of melting even faster.

There is a lot of razzmatazz and drama being built up around the COP15 conference, for the benefit of the World's media. Some of it is by poor countries, and more of it is by NGO's in various countries. While in some cases this media around the conference us good as it raises the awareness around the conference and things we can do to lessen our impact on the environment. Will it have any effect on the Governments that represent us?

Will Merkel, Obama, Brown and Cowen become converted to the cause of what is actually needed due to the actions of the Maldives and Nepal Governments? I frankly don't think so.

Something more needs to be done to convince them of the right path. But I fear it will take an environmental catastrophe for them to be convinced. I fear it will be too late then.

Category: Climate Politics, | Tags: climate change, media, media, cop15,



Comments

Lucy Setian on 02nd November 2009:

If I am honest, I totally agree with you. It couldn`t be more true. They don`t have a choice but to find the solution. The media attention can just help them feel motivated, because of the great spot of light, in which they will melt in other case.

camping blog on 03rd November 2009:

wow
glad you enjoyed the project-did you encounter in the desert?—if so can you report the date and location… Trickster continues to wander the SW with ‘her’ ice cream treats for all who cross her path—the last sighting reports we received of encounters came from a couple camping in the Desert about 50 clicks out of Elko Nevada on sept 6th
camping blog

Pavel on 23rd November 2009:

Right. Just, if Mount Everest would lose its glaciers, it will be China and India to suffer most. I wonder what their leaderships will have to say to the engry thirsty and hungry millions when they come to ask “why did you let this happen”.

Paul Montariol on 04th December 2009:

One side I agree, one another not.
I think we have to develop new energies because it is the best for all of us!
We must be positive.
If you open a great market (new energies) the governments are happy!
3% more each year and 4% after!
(3% of total consumed)

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