The United Nations has unpacked the bunting and draped the decorations around Durban, South Africa, for the next round of climate negotiations, COP17. Leaders, policy experts, delegates, caravanites, photo exhibitions, puppets, the world’s media and all manner of colourful characters have arrived to get their teeth into securing progress in the fight against climate change.
Oxfam kicked off our efforts with a dinner party in the sea to provide a stark illustration of the affects that extreme weather will have on our already creaking food system. Poor people already spend a big proportion of their incomes on food and this will increase if crops fail due to an unpredictable climate. We’re bringing messages of support from across the world, demanding that leaders act on climate change. As things stand, almost 1 billion people are going hungry, and this is set to increase.
A lot can be achieved over the next two weeks. Firstly, rich countries must start to fill the climate fund that was agreed last year in Cancun. They need to start raising the $100 billion per year that has been promised by rich countries to help developing countries adapt to the effects of rising temperatures, and embark on climate-friendly development pathways. In these tough economic times leaders need to look at options like a fair charge on global shipping emissions – which account for more than the carbon output of Germany. Or a tiny Financial Transactions Tax (aka Robin Hood Tax) to raise the money that they’ve said is needed. We’re also looking to make sure the Kyoto Protocol continues beyond 2012, and that a pathway is agreed to new stronger, and legally binding, emissions cuts for all countries, to take effect before its too late to avoid catastrophic levels of global warming.
As the summit begins, people are already spreading the message and ramping up the pressure. The Trans-African Caravan of Hope has arrived in town with over a million signatures of support. Oxfam launched our photo exhibition, Enough to Eat by local NGO Women on Farms, highlighting the challenges that women food producers face. Yesterday in Durban, former Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu led an interfaith rally where over 200,000 calls for action where delivered on an arc. People around the world are calling on leaders to make the decisions necessary to tackle climate change.
If they need some inspiration then they should head a few kilometres outside of Durban. There, they can visit the former home of Mahatma Ghandi, where he spent 21 years developing and promoting his non-racial and non-violent ideals. They can also stand on the spot where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa’s first democratic elections. Great things have been achieved in Durban! As Mandela said “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Follow COP with Oxfam on our website or through Twitter
posted for Ian Sullivan, Oxfam.
The Daily Durban is covering the UNFCCC Climate Talks in Durban, SA. Daily Kos environmental writers welcome collaborators from 350.org, the Global Campaign for Climate Action, Post Carbon Institute, Oxfam, WiserEarth, tcktcktck, Transition US, Ecoequity, and environmental artist Franke James. During the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), Daily Durban will also share content from the People's Conference C17 and Occupy COP17.
Visit Earthship COPernica for updates, archives, and access to background, edutainmenet news updates, social media resources, live stream links and video casts throughout the two weeks.
Series to Date(tentative)
Sunday:
Kelly Rigg: Darwin Comes to Durban: Overcoming "Survival of the Fittest" Mentality at UN Climate Talks
Franke James :eCOP: Why would Canada censor artist, Franke James? See “Banned on the Hill”
Monday
Warren S Drowning Songs, Drying Songs, Dying Songs
Oxfam: Ian Sullivan: Hungry for Climate Action, COP17 Begins
Tuesday
Sierra Club: Dirty Coal @ Durban
citisven: ecocities.
Janet Redman: Institute for Policy Studies
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