What a couple of weeks. The experience at the conference was truly phenomenal. With the outcomes that have been achieved at this conference, my hope that we will actually solve this crisis has once again been strengthened.
One year ago, who would have thought that Australia would ratify Kyoto and be such a key player in these international negotiations. While our new government's position wasn't always clear during the conference, it solidified during the important final moments. We've seen a rapid evolution in our domestic policy over the last three weeks, and very significantly, a dramatic change in our new opposition's stance on the issue as well.
The Bali Mandate that was the outcome of the conference explicitly recognises the science, referring directly to the IPCC report and it's finding that developed countries must reduce emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels, collectively, by 2020 if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change. On Saturday we saw the United States 'join the consensus' after Papua New Guinea told them that 'In PNG we have a saying... If you aren't a leader, get out of the way. We are asking the United States to either lead, or get out of the way'. AWESOME!
Being in the room as these statements and debates progressed was electrifying. The room had about 1000 negotiators from 200 countries sitting at their desks, each country making statements in turn. Around the edges of the room were another 2-300 people from non-government organisations, including 50 young people from around the world, including a large Canadian group that pointedly stood and crossed their arms in front of Canada's desk! When the rounds of applause went up each time a country shifted to a more progressive stance, you knew that the cheering was not only for the political promises and diplomatic achievements, but filled with real hope for the future. Heart in my throat, butterflies in my stomach, all that jazz. While the agreement in Bali won't solve global warming, it does put us well on track. It's a big step in the right direction.
I predict that in the next two years (that is, by 2009 when this round of climate negotiations will conclude), public sentiment will move even further than it has in the last two. By the time we get there, we will have a new, climate-friendly government in power in the US, and maybe even Canada and Japan. By that stage, if we work hard enough, the world will accept the need to phase out fossil fuels, and will have drawn up a plan to achieve that outcome.
The next two years are crucial. They are crucial for the UN process, for Australia, for society, and for each of us. We have to remember that the battle is not over - we have to apply as much pressure as we can. We must put all of our ideas in the mix and convince governments of the need to take up those ideas. The next two years are crucial, and each person must play as large a role as possible if we are to achieve the change that we need.
Every individual counts. This is not a change that happened because someone at the top decided that things needed to change. It was very clearly driven from the bottom up - it started with educating people about the problem, connecting it to their life and future, then showing them the solutions and how good their futures could be. Once those ideas were established, it was about mobilising those who knew to apply pressure in every way possible. That pressure must continue.
THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO:
- Get in touch with your newly elected or re-elected politician to let them know how urgent the climate emergency is. Send a letter, make a call, wait for a response, send another letter, and ask for a meeting. Meet your politician and tell them your ideas.
- Get involved with AYCC or another climate action group, or start your own.
- Teach your family and friends.
- Live a low-carbon life.
