UNFCCC exposes Rudd's empty rhetoric
Blog Post | Blog of Christine Milne
Friday 18th December 2009, 10:51am
by ChristineMilne in
For all those who have been convinced by Prime Minister Rudd and Minister Wong's rhetoric that they are fighting for a 450ppm and 2C agreement at Copenhagen, and believe that that is a good start, a leak from the UN Secretariat over here exposes that claim for the fraud it is.
The leak, which can be downloaded here, concludes that, even with the highest pledges on the table from developed and developing countries, the world would be on a trajectory "that could lead to concentrations equal or above 550 ppm with the related temperature rise around 3C". That trajectory gives the planet essentially no real chance of avoiding the tipping points which would trigger runaway heating and climate catastrophe.
Perhaps now more people in the developed world will understand why the developing world is unprepared to be bullied by countries like Australia into signing their lives away - literally.
Why should poorer nations, who are historically far less responsible for climate change, be required to act before those who caused the problem? China must of course be brought to the table, but they are quite justified in arguing that they have already moved further than they need to without developed nations taking on their fair burden.
Why should the Chinese leaders not be pessimistic developed world leaders have point blank refused to lift their targets to the ambition that the science requires? I find it fascinating that Chinese leaders are criticised for their honesty when they tell the Copenhagen conference that they do not expect an agreement to be reached this week, but Kevin Rudd's dishonesty in his speech to the plenary goes unremarked.
Mr Rudd's speech this morning my time was, in Shakespeare's words, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing". I guess that's what we today might call "all spin and no substance".
But, apart from the empty language on targets, the key impact of Mr Rudd's speech will be his reference to Tuvalu and Kiribati in making the case for action. The delegates from these countries will not be impressed that Mr Rudd used them as an example of climate crisis in the conference room when he and his staff have been bullying them outside the room.
One positive note coming from the last day is that it is understood that Russia have abandoned the idea of banking the gigatonnes of "hot air" they still have available. Because Russia was given a target at Kyoto that was far higher than they needed, they were able to sell millions of international emissions permits that did not represent any emissions reductions at all - a phenomenon that became known as "hot air". Russia had been pushing to have that rort rolled over into the coming agreement, a decision that would have completely neutralised the woefully weak commitments that are on the table. It would be tremendously positive if Russia had agreed not to push that claim any further.
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King Cnut revisited
(With apologies to James Baldwin )
In the early 21st century, Australia was ruled by a Prime Minister named KRudd. Like many leaders and men of power, KRudd was surrounded by people who were always praising him. Every time he walked into a room, the flattery began.
"You are the greatest Prime Minister that ever lived," one would say.
"O Prime Minister, there can never be another as mighty as you," another would insist.
"Your Excellency, there is nothing you cannot do," someone would smile.
"Great KRudd, you are the greatest Prime Minister of all," another would sing. "Nothing in this world dares to disagree with you."
The PM was a man of sense, and he grew tired of hearing such foolish speeches.
One day he was walking by the seashore, and his ministers and civil servants were with him, praising him as usual. KRudd decided to teach them a lesson.
"So you say I am the greatest Prime Minister in the world?" he asked them.
"O Prime Minister," they cried, "there never has been anyone as mighty as you, and there never be anyone so great, ever again!"
"And you say all things obey me?" KRudd asked.
"Absolutely!" they said. "The world bows before you, and gives you honour."
"I see," the Prime Minister answered. "In that case, bring me my chair, and we will go down to the water."
"At once, Your Excellency!" They scrambled to carry his Prime Ministerial chair over the sands.
"Bring it closer to the rising sea," KRudd called. "Put it right here, right at the water's edge." He sat down and surveyed the ocean before him. "I notice the water is rising. Do you think it will stop if I give the command?"
His ministers were puzzled, but they did not dare say no. "Give the order, O great Prime Minister, and it will obey," one of then assured him.
"Very well. Tide," cried KRudd, "Climate Change, I command you to cease! Waves, stop your rolling!. Surf, stop your pounding! Do not dare touch my feet!"
He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped at his feet.
"How dare you!" KRudd shouted. "Tide, turn back the waters back now! I have ordered you to retreat before me, and now you must obey! Go back!"
And in answer another wave swept forward and curled around the Prime Minister's feet. The tide just kept on coming in, just as it always did. The water rose higher and higher. It came up around the Prime Minister’s chair, and wet not only his feet, but also his suit. His ministers stood before him, alarmed, and wondering whether he was not mad.
"Well, my friends," KRudd said, "it seems I do not have quite so much power as you would have me believe. Perhaps I should have learned something today.
Perhaps now I should remember there is only one force that is all-powerful, and it hath the power to stop climate change, and holds the secrets of preventing climate change in the palm of its hand. I suggest you reserve your praises for.....the people of this world united!"
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