Executive Housekeeping Today - February 2008 - (Page 19) the green scene All Roads Lead from Bali It was very fitting that 2007 closed with the culmination of the Climate Change Conference in Bali. The gathering created a global “roadmap” for the world to follow in an effort to reverse the looming ramifications of global warming on our planet. While the results were by no means perfect, nor were the processes idyllic, great strides were made to set a plan of action for the next step in fighting climate change as a global community. In a very short time, we have seen climate change rise from an issue of relative obscurity and speculation to one described by public opinion polls as a “very serious situation” and embraced as one of utmost priority by all political parties. What the conference in Bali also demonstrated was the raw human emotion behind the issue in the desperate attempt to create a common ground to drastically reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are contributing directly to the escalation of climate change on the planet. i by Stephen Ashkin REST OF THE WORLD BALI Bali’s Final Hours As the deadline for the conference to reach agreement approached, and the accord had yet to attain the approval of the United States, Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky approached the microphone in front of the other 187 delegations and announced the US would reject the current language of the proposed agreement. Dobriansky was immediately showered with anger, and a chorus of boos filled the auditorium. Kevin Conrad of Papua New Guinea then stood and said to the US delegation, “We ask for your leadership, we seek your leadership If you can’t give us what we want, please get out of the way.” Five minutes later, the US delegation (rumored to be in constant contact with Washington during these final hours of deliberation) announced that the US would accept the action plan after all. The gavel fell. The delegations cheered. The US agreed to sign a deal which was largely considered the most acceptable starting point by the global powers that be. While the pact is a step in the right direction and creates a plan for 2008 and 2009 negotiations, it sets no firm, binding caps on GHG emissions. Going into the talks, it was rumored that many of the world’s economic powers would shy away from signing an accord that would set strict emission cuts from the outset. But many still pointed a finger at the current White House administration’s relationship with “friends” in the energy sector, or speculated that the US did not want to burden the next sitting President with future mandatory caps. But both of these accusations have been quickly dismissed by insiders, arguing that the energy companies want international, uniform caps, as they want a level playing field when negotiating in an international marketplace; and as anyone following current presidential campaigning and public opinion polling knows, fighting global warming is seen as a positive attribute for any politician. Whatever the rationale for the delay by the US delegation, and their perceived reluctance to join the Bali roadmap, it is now all yesterday’s news. The following two years of regular meetings and dialog is now what is important. What is to Come Unlike the previous accord, the Kyoto Protocol, the US will have a seat at the table for negotiations and the drafting of the plan of action. Despite any festering ill-will toward just how we got our seat or under what terms, the important news to take from the meeting is this time the US will be an active participant. Also, unlike during the days of the drafting of the Kyoto Protocol, the global community is well aware of the facts of climate change and public opinion is putting the pressure on the politicians to act—immediately. Obviously, the political agenda of the US over the next calendar year will consume little more than the presidential election and then the transformation to the new administration, whether it be Democrat or Republican. So in reality, (continued on page 25) February 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 9
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