The big and the small on our planet
Over the past two weeks, the world’s hopes for a stable climate have been focused on the climate change talks in Lima, Peru. The shrinking glaciers and seasonal water shortages in that Latin American country have formed the backdrop for tense discussions, as pressure mounts to achieve the aim of a global deal in December 2015.
All countries have a big stake in tackling climate change. India is particularly vulnerable to the risk of climate change, including cyclones, floods, drought and crop failures. In the cities, air pollution levels that are causing respiratory problems and lung disease. All too often the weather forecast in Delhi is ‘smoke’.
Although India is one of the largest emitters as a country, its emissions per person are still low. India pollutes less than 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases gases for each person, far below China at 7 tonnes, US at 17 tonnes and New Zealand at 16 tonnes. This reflects that reality of life for more than 300 million people in India who don’t have electricity and who rely primarily on wood or dung for their energy.
Tackling energy poverty is important as well as fighting climate change. Fortunately there is a way that India can do both. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced ambitious plans to boost solar energy and, with the support of patents, technology and climate funding from the rich nations, could do far more.
In January, President Obama will visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hopefully this will be an opportunity to build on the progress in negotiations and enable India to take a bold step towards a clean energy future and new opportunities to develop business and jobs in the growing clean technology markets around the world.
And what of New Zealand? Small countries can have a big impact in international negotiations and show the way, as New Zealand has in the past on issues like nuclear disarmament. But our government’s approach to climate change has been to do as little as possible, even though it is clear that the cost of inaction is higher than acting now. Our emissions have grown by a quarter since 1990. Far from being a leader, our government has been one of the laggards, refusing to take action and undermining negotiations. Our heads have been in the sand, hoping that climate change won’t happen.
The Green Party believes that we can and must do far better. We need to act urgently. For our sake, for the sake of our children, for the sake of millions of people in India and other countries at risk from climate disaster, and for the sake of our planet.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and almost an MP. He was formerly Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand and has more than 20 years experience of international negotiations on climate change. He has a Masters degree in management from Yale University.
Over the past two weeks, the world’s hopes for a stable climate have been focused on the climate change talks in Lima, Peru. The shrinking glaciers and seasonal water shortages in that Latin American country have formed the backdrop for tense discussions, as pressure mounts to achieve the aim of a...
Over the past two weeks, the world’s hopes for a stable climate have been focused on the climate change talks in Lima, Peru. The shrinking glaciers and seasonal water shortages in that Latin American country have formed the backdrop for tense discussions, as pressure mounts to achieve the aim of a global deal in December 2015.
All countries have a big stake in tackling climate change. India is particularly vulnerable to the risk of climate change, including cyclones, floods, drought and crop failures. In the cities, air pollution levels that are causing respiratory problems and lung disease. All too often the weather forecast in Delhi is ‘smoke’.
Although India is one of the largest emitters as a country, its emissions per person are still low. India pollutes less than 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases gases for each person, far below China at 7 tonnes, US at 17 tonnes and New Zealand at 16 tonnes. This reflects that reality of life for more than 300 million people in India who don’t have electricity and who rely primarily on wood or dung for their energy.
Tackling energy poverty is important as well as fighting climate change. Fortunately there is a way that India can do both. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced ambitious plans to boost solar energy and, with the support of patents, technology and climate funding from the rich nations, could do far more.
In January, President Obama will visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hopefully this will be an opportunity to build on the progress in negotiations and enable India to take a bold step towards a clean energy future and new opportunities to develop business and jobs in the growing clean technology markets around the world.
And what of New Zealand? Small countries can have a big impact in international negotiations and show the way, as New Zealand has in the past on issues like nuclear disarmament. But our government’s approach to climate change has been to do as little as possible, even though it is clear that the cost of inaction is higher than acting now. Our emissions have grown by a quarter since 1990. Far from being a leader, our government has been one of the laggards, refusing to take action and undermining negotiations. Our heads have been in the sand, hoping that climate change won’t happen.
The Green Party believes that we can and must do far better. We need to act urgently. For our sake, for the sake of our children, for the sake of millions of people in India and other countries at risk from climate disaster, and for the sake of our planet.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and almost an MP. He was formerly Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand and has more than 20 years experience of international negotiations on climate change. He has a Masters degree in management from Yale University.
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