Nearly 200 countries are being represented at the COP20 climate change talks, taking place over the next couple of weeks, in Lima, the capital of Peru.
Even though climate change is no longer recognized as a “possibility,” but as “current events,” there seems to be an unusual amount of optimism in the air at the COP20 conference. The talks actually started yesterday, and will continue for the next couple of weeks in the capital. The aim of the talks is to work out drafts on global climate change regulation, which could be adopted at next year’s climate change talks in Paris, France. (• – see note)
So far, as climate change scientists have determined that unusual weather anomalies, such as extended droughts in California and storm-driven coastal flooding, are already worse than before, and will only worsen as time goes on. Some figure that it is already too late to stop it, but not too late to at least reduce its effects, even if this means taking some pretty drastic measures. Still, why the optimism at COP20?
Regarding why the talks may have stalled in recent years, two of the world’s biggest carbon generators, China and the United States, have never been able to come to an agreement, until just recently, that is. The US and China, responsible for about 40% of world greenhouse gas emissions, have both made commitments to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. “Climate change will not be solved only by the United States and China, but it certainly will not be solved without them,” says United Nations Climate Chief Christiana Figueres.
Only time will tell if such agreements will lead to an overall shift in public, political, and business thinking on the subject of climate change and what to do about it. Will try to keep up to date on the COP20 talks in Lima as the next couple of weeks progress.
- I have to admit, I kinda wish I had the cash to attend both of these talks. Oh well, news travels faster on the internet, anyway.)
