Romania. Greenwash Outcome. Great expectations.

Published 06th October 2009 - 2 comments - 4919 views -

In the annual United Nations human development index released Monday, Norway  takes the number one spot (congrats!) and China has made the biggest strides in improving the well-being of its citizens. Romania comes on the 63rd place (out of 182), ranking 3 places lower than last year and the last place is occupied by Niger. 

Many people living in the developing world, are already living with the impacts of climate change. I have never been to Niger (or to any other of the 3rd world countries for that matter) & can't speak of what's happening there, but I live in a country listed under the high human development ones and we are not safe either. On the contrary, here's what we are going to face in case of a COP15 "greenwash outcome".

This is Romania today.

photo source: pensiuni.org

Research has found that the last 14 years were the warmest since 1950. By the end of the XXIst century, the temperature will increase by 4 degrees from what we already feel in the air. What's now well known as a beautiful geographically balanced country (1/3 mountains, 1/3 hills, 1/3 plains and fields) will be basically divided into two areas affected by climate changes: the Northern half will be affected by rain and low temperatures, while the South will drown in its own sweat because of the high temperatures.

Ionut Purica, climatologist, declared that in 20 years, Romania will go from four to two seasons. "All seasons will reflect an average increase of temperature, determining early springs and delayed falls" said Dr. Aristita Busuioc, Head of the Climate Research Department in the National Meteorology Administration. 

In a few decades, Romania will be faced with irreversible desertification (1/3 of the country's surface) and floods, lands under water, extreme weather conditions and extinctions of animal and plant species. The West of Oltenia and the South-East of Banat will be most affected by desertification, as these are areas where the phenomenon has already started.

From this

photo source: eschimosu

to this

photo source: Mircea Dragoi

The Black Sea level will rise alarmingly affecting the coastline that spreads from Sulina to Vama Veche. Our Danube Delta is now the largest reserve of wetlands in Europe, covering an area of 2681 km2, included among the UNESCO sites ever since 1990. An exotic landscape with over 1,200 species of trees and plants, with the richest (98%) ornithological fauna on the continent (over 300 species) with unique colonies of pelicans and ichthyological fauna (represented by ~100 species) out of which it's worth mentioning the Danube herring and sturgeon (yup, the caviar producer). In case of a greenwash outcome, all this biodiversity will end up being 100% flooded and it's not going to go down by itself. It will bring along cities like Tulcea, Galati, Braila and Sulina.

The Danube Delta (photo source: Wide Raf)

Experts forecome some 'positive effects' in this whole global warming issue: a temperature rise in the mountains will increase the number of mountain meadows. Unfortunately, nobody asked the mountains anything first. If someone would have bothered to, they would have found out that mountains are already ill (hurting because of deforestations) and high temperatures won't come with a magic cure. 

Therefore, if shit happens COP15 will be just another climate conference, this 'high developed country' doesn't stand too many chances. (I don't even want to think about Niger or other 3rd world countries). So, yeah, I want more than fancy words & politically correct promises. In the next few decades, I want to have the chance to repair what's been screwed in the last few ones. 

Sources for the scientifical data in this post:

- Ecomagazin , - Cutremur.net , - Delta Dunarii

Category: UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags: climate change,, cop15,, romania,, danube delta,

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Adela
Earth
Independent (Copy)writer

I write for a living. I take photos for fun. I tell stories for having a story to live by.

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