Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
IPCC Bali update! One more ‘Yellow Bike’ program
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The 10,000 delegates from around the globe descended upon Bali for the beginning of the unprecedented U.N Climate Change Conference. As we pointed out in our November 19 article “…Handing out pink slips“, the additional burden of 10,000 delegates with entourage will have a huge impact on the environment in Bali.
The U.N. estimates 47,000 tons of additional carbon dioxide and other pollutants will be pumped into the atmosphere during the 12-day conference in Bali. Chris Goodall, author of “how to live a low-carbon life” thinks the U.N. underestimates that amount. Goodall is quoted in the ’seattlepi.com’ as saying he believes the real figure will more in the neighborhood of 100,000 tons, which would be close to what, a small country like, Chad churns out in a years time.
What is the solution to throwing a party for 10,000 people and their accompaniment?
Provide 200 bright-yellow mountain bikes for the 10,000 delegates to share.
In the mid-1990’s a ‘yellow bike” program was started in Portland, Oregon. Soon after its launch there the program was tried in Fresno, California. The yellow bikes, in large quantity, were placed randomly around the city for people to use, on their honor. Upon reaching their destination cyclists were to leave the bike at a corner for someone else to use. Alas, these bikes were stolen and repainted, some were stripped and left on street corners without tires or seats. One could see at times only a tiny yellow bike frame slung to the pavement.
We hope the 200 bright yellow bikes provided for the 10,000 delegates at the conference in Bali do not meet the same fate. The gesture of the yellow bikes seems symbolic at best. At worst it looks like just another instance of paying lip-service to a problem that is looking everyday to be insurmountable.
Less talk and more action. We will see if any action comes from all the talk. The conference looks to be a giant trade-show for peddlers cashing in on the global climate crisis and a 2 week vacation in paradise for most of the delegates. It’s being said that despite the UN IPCC scientists pleas for urgent action, there is a “palpable lack of urgency”.
Chairman of the Bali Tourism board, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, has long been worried Bali facilities and infrastructures would be overstretched by the UN Conference. December is normally Bali’s peak tourist season. With the additional crunch of delegates will Bali be able to hold up under the strain?
Wijaya says with estimates of 15,000-20,000 actual conference participants and accompanying persons attending the UNFCCC, Bali’s carrying capacity is certain to undergo a critical test.
Labels: Bali, IPCC, U.N. Climate Change Summit, Yellow Bikes
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
IPCC Bali update! One more ‘Yellow Bike’ program
