TH!NK post

“Who Should Pay the Bill?”

Published 25th October 2010 - 6 comments - 844 views -

 

I was reading a paper from the European Alternatives about the failure of Copenhagen and the necessity of European strategies for climate justice and alternative developmental models. It brings a discussion around the lack of commitment from the rich countries and their responsibility for the consequences of human impacts on the Planet.

 

The author, Lorenzo Fioramonti, says: “The associated paradox is that the adverse effects of climate change will be most felt by countries that have not benefited from the intense exploitation of natural resources...”. It is full of truth. Industrialized countries have experimented their development without concerns about impact or consequences. It means, for this young Brazilian boy, they must pay more due to their long way impacts.

 

Early this year, during the conference “The Great Transformation - Greening the Economy”, in Germany, I got chocked when I witnessed that committed discussion about changing our economy into a green way. That feeling, however, was gone when I realized the context and the people involved on the event. The Alliance '90/The Greens has more than 10% of seats in the Bundestag, the Germany Parliament. It might be one of the few differences between its Brazilian version, the Partido Verde. What I am trying to say is: just like in Brazil, Germany and other European nations have those who want and collaborate for a global economic change through an alternative development model, and there are those who are not that interested. It would explain the lack of commitment of Europe countries in the COP15 agreement.

 

Once again, it is an obligation to think about the COP16 and what will be necessary to achieve such fair agreement. Will we have an ambitious and legally binding treaty? When? Which actos will be involved? I will write something about  some essential points on that discussion.

Category: Climate Politics, International Action, UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags:



Comments

Tiago Andrade on 26th October 2010:

I really need talk something. The tittle say everything:
Who should pay the Bill?
...

Thinking about it now!!!!

Rahul Acharya on 26th October 2010:

I am not sure, if there will be any agreement on the Green moment… Problem is the most impacted ones, directly or indirectly are Developed countries… Think about all rules and regulations to keep world unpolluted, there won’t be anything available in cheap to them. And every cheap thing comes with a price to Mother Nature.


Its time for the world to stay united, look for social interest and not financial profits to save future of Mother Nature.

Jenny on 31st October 2010:

Dear Diego,

I have few questions about some points I didn’t really get on your article, on the third paragraph.
So, first of all, why were you shocked? What was this discussion about?

Diêgo Lôbo on 31st October 2010:

Hi Jenny,

Sorry if it was confusing - it is probably due to my English.
What I tried to mean was: When I was discussing about environmental policies at Germany I witnessed a great commitment what made me very pride of being there. In fact, I thought it was due to the context of country and Europe, as they are more aware about those issues. However, it was, as in Brazil, the Green Party. This was the reason they were so worried about environment. Do you get it?

Thanks for sharing your question.

Jenny on 31st October 2010:

Yeah, I got it, thank you for the answer.
I have another question, when you say: ‘’ It might be one of the few differences between its Brazilian version, the Partido Verde.’‘, is it that the ‘Partido Verde’ as less than 10% of seats in Brazil?

Alessandra on 31st October 2010:

I think that countrfies, in general, must pay the bill. Of course that are that countries that have contributed more to the climate changes that we are living more intensely in the last decades (Germany, USA, France, UK). But actually, other countries are contributing strongely to the environmental problems (Brazil, China, India, South Africa, etc). And the environmental discussion must be at policy questions of all the countries, in all political parties.

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