Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
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
Monday, November 19, 2007
Mother Earth will make her position, as the Ultimate Despot, known one way or another. Just as a fetus signals its mother host with what is known as the quickening, our mother host earth has been signaling her guests, that’s us, with a type of quickening of her own.
The IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has presented its 4th and final report for 2007 on Climate Change in Valencia, Spain. The report was compiled from thousands of pages of research data taking place over some 6 years. The research leaves no room for denial that mankind is getting ready to receive its eviction notice from the womb of its Mother Earth.
This report will be in the hands of 10,000 delegates expected in Bali December 3rd through the 14th when they gather to beat, whip and discuss ad nauseam the could’a, should’a, would’a of climate change and its ‘potential’ affect on humanity.
In many ways this final report of 2007 gives hope to humanity that something really meaningful will take place in the effort to bring the earth’s inhabitants into complete alignment on the climate change front.
Quotes from the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali Webpage.
“Our Goals must be nothing short of a real breakthrough in Bali.” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General.
“…the Bali climate conference so crucial to the future of humankind.” H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia.
“…therefore climate change is accelerating.” Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the IPCC.
‘The consequences of global climate change are so pressing that it doesn’t matter who is responsible for the past, what matters is who is responsible for the future…” “But one responsibility we all have, and that is action…action, action, action!” Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California.
Many of the words used in reporting the conclusions of the final report lean on the old familiar non-committal language of the past such as ‘potential’, ‘could lead to’ and ‘unless’.
Pacific Spirit Marine Institute would like to see language erring on the side of substance and action such as; ‘will lead to’ ‘until’ and ‘evidence’.
We have long past the time for speculating on the ‘might’, ‘could’ and ‘may’ language of Global Warming and Climate Change.
There is evidence man made pollution, greenhouse gases and the wanton disregard for the planet we have shown during the industrial age have lead us down a path of destruction. Every person in the developed nations needs to immediately cease and desist walking with blinders on.
Begin taking steps at home to start giving aide and comfort to the earth. She is not our enemy.
Every sheet of paper, every can or bottle that ends up in your personal garbage can should break your heart to the point of taking action.
It’s a lofty idea to think that 10,000 delegates from around the world will travel to Bali and solve the problems we are facing, but 10,000 delegates is the picture of trying to build an elephant by committee. Before they have even touched pen to paper they 10,000 extra people traveling to one location have already added to the problem of pollution.
Restoring health to the oceans will go a long way toward helping to heal the rest of the planet’s problems. Politics, industry and man’s penchant for over-indulgence all go hand in hand hurling us into a future we cannot contemplate.
Reduce Reuse Recycle.
Photo Thanks: NASA.gov
Labels: Climate Change, Global Warming, IPCC, U.N. Climate Change Summit
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
IPCC Report! Earth’s Ready To Start Handing Out Pink Slips!
